Ireland, Londonderry (Derry) War Memorial 1914-1918

Each record includes a transcript of the original entry and an image of the handwritten forms used to confirm information for the Diamond War Memorial in Londonderry (Derry). Detail can vary, but most of these records will include the following information:

• Name

• Rank

• Regiment

• Company/unit

• Soldier number

• Military awards

• Residence (and connection to city)

• Death date

• Nature of death

• Signature of next of kin

• Name of next of kin

• Relationship of next of kin

• Address of next of kin

In 1919 the Mayor of the city of Londonderry (Derry), Sir Robert Anderson, set up the War Memorial Fund, dedicated to the creation of a memorial to commemorate the lives of the 756 soldiers from the city who fought and died during the Great War. Forms were sent out by the Secretary of the War Memorial Committee to next of kin of every fallen soldier, to confirm or amend held information prior to it being included on the War Memorial itself.

The Diamond War Memorial was designed by Vernon March, and erected in the centre of Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland. It consists of Four panels containing the names of those connected to the city who died, similar in design to the Cenotaph of Cape Town, South Africa, also designed by March.

The ceremonial dedication and unveiling of the Diamond War Memorial took place on 23 June 1927, performed by Major-General F. F. Ready, General Officer Commanding the Northern Ireland district. The memorial contains unionist and nationalist names in almost equal number, allowing the Diamond War Memorial to be considered a shared monument by all of its citizens.