Brigadier General Ambrose Ricardo

AMBROSE RICARDO by the late Commander CLAUD HERDMAN RN (nephew, godson & heir)

Ambrose St Quintin Ricardo, the husband of my Aunt Ella (nee Herdman), was a great grandson of the famous political economist, David Ricardo, and his family home was Gatcombe Park near Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, now the home of Princess Anne. He became a Director of Herdmans Ltd on the death in 1903 of John Herdman of Carricklee, the son of James Herdman the founder, and took on the responsibilities of looking after the Mill personnel, the village and the community. In order to do this, he retired from the Army with the rank of Captain after the Boer War, during which he was Adjutant of the 1^st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and earned the DSO and 3 bars for gallantry. He had also previously seen active service in a campaign on the North West Frontier of India.

A natural leader with a wonderful flair for organisation, Ambrose was the organiser of all sorts of activities locally and throughout the North West of Ireland, and further afield. He was a co-founder of the annual Londonderry Feis, the second in Ireland after the Dublin Feis, which the Herdman family have been organising ever since. He built The Brae in 1904 to live in with Aunt Ella – they had no children. William Williamson, architect, of the Kirkcaldy linen family, close friends of the Herdmans, designed it. He was also largely responsible for the building of the Church of the Good Shepherd., consecrated in 1909. He was an opponent of Home Rule and helped to form, arm and train the Tyrone Ulster Volunteer Force and was a friend of Lord Carson.

On the outbreak of war in 1914, he was given the acting rank of Lt Colonel and the task of raising and training the 9^th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, which he commanded until after the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

In the Battle of the Somme, the Battalion, with the rest of the 36^th Ulster Division, suffered horrifying casualties whilst covering themselves with glory on 1^st July that year.

After the Somme, Ambrose Ricardo became Brigade Commander of the 112^h Brigade until December 1917, after the Battle of Cambrai, and was awarded the CMG. He was also Mentioned in Despatches 5 times. He was then on the staff of the British Commander-in-Chief and later finished the war as Commandant of the port of Dieppe.

When he took over Dieppe, it was polluted by a foul stench from a pit outside the town into which hundreds of dead horses had been thrown. General Ricardo had the gas given off by the carcasses tested and it was found to be inflammable; so he had the pit covered over and ran a pipe from it to the town’s gas supply and, from it, lit the whole of Dieppe for the rest of the war.

When the war ended, he was confirmed in the rank of Brigadier General and awarded the CBE, and returned to civilian life, but not to rest on his laurels. Spurred on by a conviction that, while many good comrades had fallen around him, God must have brought him through unscathed for some purpose, he continued with even greater vigour than before to turn his tremendous organising ability into countless activities, notably in connection with the Church at central, diocesan and local levels; the welfare of ex-service men and women, and the Boy Scout movement, in addition to his work as an active director of the Mill.

Scouting for boys had put down few roots in Ireland until then, though there was a small troop here at Sion Mills and a very thriving one at Strabane. Ambrose Ricardo, who had always been an enthusiastic encourager of young people, set out to alter that. He became Chief Scout for Ulster and communicated his great enthusiasm with such success that, before his untimely death in 1923, new troops were formed and were thriving throughout the Province.

From the Role of the Distinguished Service Order:

Ricardo, Ambrose St Quintin, Capt., was born at Gatcombe, Minchinhampton, Glos, 21 Nov 1866, fourth son of Henry David Ricardo, of Gatcombe, and Ellen Crawley, daughter of Archdeacon Crawley of Llandaff. Educated at Winchester; Cooper’s Hill and Cambridge. He joined the Army 10 Nov 1888; became Lieutenant 15 Dec 1890, and Captain 1897. Capt Ricardo served in the Tirah Campaign on the NW Frontier of India, 1897-98, with the Peshawar Column, 5^th Brigade (Medal with 2 clasps). He served in S. Africa 1899-1902 aand was present at operations in Natal, March to June 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 Nov 1900, including actions at Belfast (26 and 27 Aug) and Lydenberg (5-8 Sept). He served as Adjutant, 1^st Batt. Royal Innis. Fusiliers, from 1 to 31 Dec 1901 and from 4 Feb 1901 to 31 May 1902 and as Station Staff Officer. Operations in the Transvaal 30 Nov 1900 to Dec 1901; operations in Orange River Colony, Dec 1901 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 8 Feb and 10 Sept 19010, and 29 July 1902 by Sir RH Buller, Lord Kitchener etc); received the Queen’s Medal with 2 clasps, and for the part he played in taking Bergendal Farm was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 27 Sept 1901): “Ambrose St Quintin Ricardo, Capt., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa”. The Insignia, Warrant and Statuates were sent to the GOC, Cape Colony, and were presented in Cape Town 17 Jan 1903. He retired 17 Jan 1903. Capt Ricardo served in the European War; was given the Brevet of Major 3 June 1917; the Brevet of Lieut Colonel 1 Jan 1918; was temporary Brigadier General; was created a CMG in 1917, and a CBE in 1919. He married, 13 July 1893, at Thayet Myo, Burma, Elizabeth Alice, second daughter of Emerson Tennent Herdman, of Sion House, Co Tyrone.

(Entry in Mill diary by Captain Jack Herdman, Oct 1914. “Ambrose Ricardo had to assume duty in Command of the Omagh Depot. After some weeks of this duty, he was given command of the 9^th R. Innis Fus (Tyrone UVF), and at time of writing is at Finner Camp, training his men. He has gained well-merited promotion from Captain to Lt Col.)

Extract from a letter from Ambrose Ricardo to Maud Harriet Herdman (wife of Capt Jack)

Finner Camp - Oct 8^th 1914

Dear Maud Harrie,

Many thanks for yours and for Emy’s letter & for Carson’s photo. So glad to hear from yourself that you are feeling so bonny & able to be up for a bit. One’s bed is all right until one is chained there.

We are swelling visibly here, and in ten days have jumped from 411 to 735. But it will take a struggle to reach our total 1100. A multitude of trickles will we hope make the flood in time.

Extract from a letter from Willie Pelly (at the Front Line) to Maud Harriet Herdman (a close family friend serving under Ambrose Ricardo in the 9^th Battalion The Royal Innis. Fus.)

France 22^nd November 1915

My dear Maud

Thank you so very much for your letter which I got today and which I was just delighted to get – it was very good of you to write. Thanks very much I am quite well again, the only trouble was I got well so soon as it was most comfortable in the hospital. At 11.30 they brought round what we called “the morning solace” – consisting of a glass of Port & biscuits. Then for lunch I got a bottle of stout & for dinner a whiskey & soda & finally, when nurse came to tuck me in for the night (such a dear she was), she always gave me a hot toddy – no wonder I got well so soon.

Ah Maud, how very, very kind of you to ask about Denis’s Christmas holidays; just like you, always kind and thoughtful. I don’t know what arrangements if any the wife has made – I fancy it is too early yet, but I will tell her of your very kind offer. It really is just ripping of you & thank you so much you dear thing.

We have had hard frost & snow, but are all fairly comfortable now. I believe we are going to move again to another place – they are always moving us just as we get settled down. I don’t think we are going into the Trenches for the present, but one never knows from day to day what may happen.

We have had our Baptism of fire as you know & though it wasn’t a very heavy bombardment, it was quite enough for an opening; the men behaved just splendidly and the report to the Corps General was that the 109^th Brigade was the best of the new Army they had had & that the 9^th Battalion was the best Regiment. This was absolutely true and no Bunkum. I am so glad for the Colonel’s sake (Col Ricardo) as he takes such a lot of trouble – why we would all go to Hell for him and come back too – if necessary …………

………Please give my love to dear old Jack – I would love to see both of you again. Just think of the re-union when we come back, we must have a real old Beano – Some Beano – Eh what? Well I must end up now, & once again thank you so much for asking Denis.

(Entry in Mill Diary says: “1^st July 1916. Will long remain famous in the memories interested in the Ulster Volunteers who joined His Majesty’s forces, and, after a year of training, went overseas to fight in France - sailed with Ulster Division to France on Oct 5^th 1915.

The Division took part in the first action in the great British advance. It was stationed near the south of the British line at Thiepval. In the first line were the 9th & 10^th R. Inniskilling Fusiliers – the Tyrones & Derrys – the former commanded by our Director, Col Ricardo.

The Battle of Cambrai – 1917

(From Sir Frank Fox’s book “The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the World War”)

“The 36^th Division with the IV Corps had a “one Brigade” task and this was given to the 109^th, the Inniskillings Brigade. It was to seize the German trenches west of the Canal du Nord and south of the Bapaume Road in front of Graincourt………..The plan of the Battle of Cambrai, since it was to be a surprise attack, did not permit of a formal artillery preparation, and the 36^th Division had no tanks assigned to its sector of the line. So the local scheme was for the attacking Brigade to seize a spoil heap on its northern front and use this as a machine-gun and trench-mortar position from which to cover the advance of Platoons along the German trench lines…………………………..

Brig. General Ricardo, in making the detail plans relied largely upon the Lewis gunners, one of whom went at the head of each Platoon. The attack was heralded by a bombardment of the spoil heap, the capture of which was the key to the tactical plan, by Stokes mortars using “thermit” shell. The effect of this was splendid. When the 10^th Inniskillings charged home they found a demoralised enemy fleeing from the strong point up to their trench lines. Now, having the front door open to this elaborate trench system, we pushed up according to plan. The action at this point was like a gigantic raid, with a systematic “mopping up”. ……. To save any duplication of effort, as a dug-out was cleared a notice-board went up with the one word “Mopped.”

The 10^th Inniskillings reached their final objective at 9.30 am. Meanwhile the 9^th Inniskillings had entered another section of the enemy trenches and worked up them in the same systematic manner ……..When the objective of the Battalion was reached the 11^th Inniskillings moved through and carried on the good work. It was quite a family party among the Inniskillings with rich prizes in prisoners and machine guns.

The 11^th Inniskillings had energy to spare to give a hand to their neighbours of the 186^th Brigade across the canal, who were being held up. The Lewis guns of the Inniskillings helped to dissipate that hold up.”

POSTSCRIPT TO THE GREAT WAR

In WJ Canning’s book,“Ballyshannon, Belcoo, Bertincourt” (the history of the 11^th Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal & Fermanagh Volunteers) in World War One, (published in 2006), is a description of a “Presentation & Consecration of Colour” ceremony on 2^nd March 1921 in Enniskillen. General Ricardo presented various medals and then the Colour saying that it was a great honour and privilege too him to hand to them the Colour that had been presented to them by His Majesty The King. The Colour had never been carried at the head of their Battalion, but the Colour was a symbol of what they had fought for, and what so many of their comrades had died for. They had never let the Colour down, and they were now going to take it and put it alongside the colours of the Battalions of that splendid Regiment that both he and they belonged to – The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. At the Parish Church, General Ricardo addressed the assembled congregation as follows:

“I look on it as an honour to be asked to take part in this ceremony. As an old Inniskillinger, I am glad to be afforded the opportunity of paying my tribute of admiration for the 11^th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers …………………………I served side by side with the 11^th during its entire career – for the first year I watched it training and imbibing the true Inniskilling spirit, under that incomparable Inniskilling soldier, General Hessey, and I can say no more than that. I always held up the 11^th as an example and inspiration to my own Battalion. That is, believe me, a high tribute for every keen soldier thinks his Battalion is second to none, but I always found something to learn from General Hessey’s Battalion. Then at the Front for another year, when my Battalion had the 11^th beside it, I never had any anxiety about our flank; if it was in support of us we were sure of help if needed; if in front of us we knew we would never have to retreat.

On the 1^st July 1916, that glorious, but dreadful day, the 11^th were on the right of the line of the Ulster Division. Their flank was exposed to an overwhelming machine-gun fire, through no fault of their own. In spite of that the 11^th gained their objective and covered themselves with imperishable glory. I saw their advance with my own eyes. I can never forget that scene – such quiet deliberate bravery was only possible in a Battalion with tremendous pride in its Regiment; and with that perfect sympathy between its officers and men, which was always an outstanding characteristic of the 11^th.

The next great action the Battalion was engaged in was at Wyteschaete on the Messine ridge in June 1917, when I had the great honour of being their Brigadier. There the 11^th led the Division on its left flank; along with the 16^th Division the most complete success in one single day in the war up to date was the result to which the 11^th Inniskillings contributed to very considerably. Again it stood out as a fighting Battalion. Then east of Ypres, in August 1917, at the beginning of that awful struggle for the Passchendaele ridge, the 11^th once more made history in getting further than any other unit in the Division. Then at Cambrai, in November 1917, the third big fight inside six months, it helped to bomb the enemy out of the Hindenburg line, and then withstood their heavy counter attacks on the left flank.

Then came the time, when through no fault of their own, but solely on account of the casualties they had suffered, they, together with many other Battalions were called upon to make a bitter sacrifice – they had to be broken up to fill other Battalions. But the surviving men and officers of the 11^th took with them to their new unit the splendid traditions and spirit of their Battalion, and they fought on, again under General Hessey, until victory came at last. I have only touched on the larger actions in which the Battalion took part, but, in addition to that, for three years – winter and summer – the 11^th faced the enemy in the trenches, and they never lost a yard of trench; they never let down another unit; they never failed their commander.

This brief testimony from one who knew them intimately, is no formal expression of opinion, nor spoken just to please you their friends – it is my considered judgment as a soldier – but one which, as a close comrade, gives me heartfelt satisfaction to be able to state here today.”

THREE EXTRACTS FROM THE INTERNET

The Battle of the Somme

Colonel Ambrose Ricardo, standing on the parapet of the assembly trench with a loud hailer, encouraged his men forward.

He recalled later: "They got going without delay; no fuss, no shouting, no running, everything solid and thorough - just like the men themselves. Here and there a boy would wave his hand to me as I shouted 'Good Luck' to them through my megaphone and all had a cheery face. Most were carrying loads. Fancy advancing against heavy fire with a big roll of barbed wire on your shoulder!"

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THE SPECIAL CONSTABULARY

During the intercommunal violence in east Belfast local Protestant clergy set up an unofficial special constabulary and all over the north there were signs that the UVF was mobilising to counter the threat of the IRA. In county Fermanagh Sir Basil Brooke formed a vigilante patrol using UVF rifles and urged the government to give official recognition to them, otherwise the 'hotheads will take matters into their own hands and threaten retaliation'. Lloyd George accepted the advice of his minister Winston Churchill to form the Ulster Special Constabulary, largely because the troops and police (including the Auxiliaries and 'Black and Tans') were at full stretch in the rest of Ireland. The details were announced in October 1920. The new force was to be divided into three categories; A Specials, were to be full-time and paid as regular policemen; B Specials, by far the largest section, to be part-time, uniformed and unpaid; and C Specials, an unpaid reserve force to be called out only in an extreme emergency. All 'well-disposed citizens' were invited to apply but no determined effort was made to get Catholics to apply. Many of those appointed as commanders, such as General Ambrose Ricardo, had been prominent in the UVF. The 'Specials' were to play a pivotal role in defeating the IRA in 1921-22.

THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION

………………..On the declaration of war in 1914, Donegal’s UVF was amalgamated into the 36^th (Ulster) Division as the 109^th brigade, sharing this honour with UVF regiments from Tyrone, Londonderry and Fermanagh – indicative of the close links Donegal had always enjoyed with her three neighbouring Ulster counties.

In the light of these links, it is hardly surprising that the underlying theme of Donegal Unionism from 1919/22 is one of betrayal. The major political question at the time was that of Partition. Owing largely to the success of Unionism and the UVF in gaining publicity for Ulster’s cause, it was generally accepted that Partition was inevitable. The crucial question became that of the boundary – options ranged from a 4 county to a 9 county Northern Ireland state. It was eventually settled that Londonderry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Antrim, Down and Armagh would constitute the new Northern Ireland. This, of course, meant the abandonment of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan.

"Men not prone to emotion shed tears"

Thus it was that a crucial political drama was acted out within the Ulster Unionist Council during the months of April and May of 1920; a drama which split the Unionist cause in two, and which resulted in the breaking of Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant of 1912. Recognising that they were about to be "sold down the river" the combined Ulster Unionist Council for the Three Counties organised themselves to face their brethren. They prepared a pamphlet opining that

"the facts about the Three Counties were as clear as when the Covenant was first signed, and they have not altered"

This pamphlet went on to point out that, even within a 9 county Ulster, Protestants would have a solid majority of 200,064 and concluded optimistically that they were

"Thankful to see such a large number of the delegates from the Six Counties respect the Covenant they had signed, and are confident that they represent a large majority of the Unionists of Ulster".

Unfortunately for the Donegal Unionists, their arguments held little sway with a 6 county community concerned that

"Protestants in the three counties are willing to swamp 820,370 Protestants merely for the satisfaction of knowing they are all going down to disaster in the same boat".

Thus, despite two meetings, and the resignations of many six-county members, such as Brig-Gen Ricardo of Sion Mills, in sympathy with the 3 county unionists, the Combined UCC of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal was forced effectively to resign from the UCC after being decisively outvoted by 301 votes to 80. This prompted the response from the popular Cavan leader Lord Farnham that "our members look upon themselves as betrayed and deserted", leading the later unionist commentator, MacManaway to comment that "the Ulster people gave a bitter consent" to Partition. Even following the Great Betrayal 6 county unionists continued however to support at a grassroots level their 3 county brethren. The Rector of Newtownbutler, speaking at the Fermanagh County Twelfth celebrations in 1920 asserted that

"there was an element of cowardice and want of backbone in the action of the UUC in sacrificing the loyal men of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal … for which there was no argument whatsoever except the numerical argument"

"Cast aside without one single sign of recollection or recognition”

General Ambrose Ricardo was indeed a great man and should not be forgotten. He must have been sorely disappointed at the failure to include county Donegal in Northern Ireland, as he could foresee the folly of cutting it off from both the south and the north and the consequences to his own part of the world by losing its hinterland, from Derry to the north to Omagh southwards. Those who were in Belfast didn’t care what happened to the west of the Province so long as they had their majority in the east. This neglect of the north-west by the Unionists persisted through all the years they were in government and is only now beginning to be put right. Such a short-sighted perspective has been a disaster for the north-west of the Province, causing resentment which spilled over eventually to cause the outbreak of violence in 1969, with which the whole Province has been living since then. What a pity there were not more Unionists about in 1920 with the integrity and intellect of General Ricardo! History might have had a much happier story to tell of 20^th century Ireland.

CONTENTS OF LETTER FROM SIR EMERSON HERDMAN TO CAPT JACK HERDMAN

10^th July 1923 Carricklee, Strabane

My dear Jack,

What an awful Tragedy, and will I fear be a fearful shock to you when you hear of it; being so far away from Home and not able to do anything.

I wired you to Munich and also to Schaffhausen on the very off chance of you getting either of them, as you had left Munich and we had no address for you at Schaffhausen; so I am afraid you will hear nothing about it until you get to Paris, and then except you are lucky enough to catch an Aeroplane you cannot possibly be here in time for the funeral, which is to be on Friday – really a day too late, but Thursday is “the Twelfth” and Ella wanted the funeral be on Friday, as it is their wedding day.

How it all happened God only knows; I enclose you a cutting from The Sentinel which tells as much as we know about it. I believe he used to throw stones in for Corporal, and he might have slipped when stooping down to pick one up. I heard it about 7 o’clock and went over with Olive, who is stopping with her. She is in a terrible state poor thing especially as she saw him in the water; we were luckily able to get out of the inquest; I saw John Elliott and the DI and they arranged matters.

Spent all morning trying to get a grave in Urney, and at last succeeded as Miss Ferrier has a plot which she now does not want as she will be buried with Olive C. However, on getting back, the Rev Fred (Hamilton) was all for burying him at Sion in front of the Church, which I think is a very good scheme.

Ella approves and they are off, he and Scandrett, to get the Bishop to consecrate same, if he approves. So we won’t know for certain till this evening where he will be buried. I have made all the other necessary arrangements and have wired the relations also Simms and WW.

I am afraid this is a very sad ending to your Holiday. Claude is here, bad luck on him as there won’t be much for him to do now; his Bike is a monster; one can hardly lift it. I can’t imagine how they get it on board ship.

Thank F for her letter; tell her I meant to write but now have not time. Claude crosses from here via Fleetwood on Friday night.

Yours very sincerely,

ECH

EXTRACTS FROM THE LONDONDERRY SENTINEL’S ACCOUNT OF THE FUNERAL OF

BRIGADIER GENERAL AMBROSE ST QUINTIN RICARDO, CMG, CBE, DSO

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL SCENES AT SION MILLS

GREAT DEMONSTRATION OF SORROW AND SYMPATHY

The funeral of Brigadier-General Ricardo, CMG, CBE, DSO, which took place yesterday, Friday 13^th July 1923, in the beautiful little village of Sion Mills, was one of the most remarkable demonstrations of admiration, respect, and sympathy ever witnessed in Tyrone. From all parts of Ulster representative men joined in the tribute to his memory, and hundreds of messages of sincere regret and deep sympathy with the sorrowing widow and relatives gave further expression to the esteem in which he was so deservedly held. Rich and poor, clergy, military, and laity, men, women and children all bore unmistakable testimony to the great loss they had sustained by the sudden removal of one who had endeared himself by many ties of personal friendship, generosity, and helpfulness. It has been said that when a nation or community, without distinction of creed or class, mourns the death of a resident there is generally to be found worth behind the dead, and never was this truth more amply demonstrated than yesterday, when every section of the populace came together to pay their last tribute to the memory of General Ricardo. Wherever one turned, sadness and sorrow dimmed the eyes of friends and admirers, and without exception, all were ready to extol his good deeds and kindly activities for the welfare and happiness of those around him. None of the immense gathering seemed more sad than the men and women who had enjoyed his courtesy and kindness in the existing mills at Sion. Here he exerted an influence which proved that he was a genuine example of the true Christian gentleman who went about doing good and blushed to find it fame. As one entered the model village in the early morning and paced its silent streets, with window blinds drawn down and doors, school, and factory closed, it was not difficult to feel and know that something exceptional had taken place. The silver cord had been loosed, the pitcher had been broken at the fountain and the mourners were going about the streets, feeling the loss of a man whose like they would not see again. These, indeed, were the evidences of sorrow which filled the hearts not only of the workers but hundreds of others throughout the United Kingdom. Letters and telegrams followed each other in quick succession from all quarters, bearing testimony to the widespread feelings of regret at the great calamity which had so suddenly and unexpectedly taken place.

By a strange coincidence the anniversary of a happy wedding day had become the day of greatest sorrow.

A man of many parts, keen sympathies, wide experience, and wonderful tact and ability, the deceased was the intermediary in the settlement of many tangled skeins, and rarely did he fail to smooth the troubled waters of contention. He never broke the bruised reed or attempted to quench the smoking flax, but, with a human touch that was all his own, he healed the differences and left no room for recurring strife. In this capacity, he proved a real benefactor to his country and secured a place for himself in the hearts of the people that any man might envy. His leisure hours, when he had any, were spent in thinking out plans for the betterment of his fellow-beings, young and old, and every institution calculated to further this view had his warmest support and sympathy. It was in this connection that the bright and cheery dwellings of the village and the comforts which they afford, touched the hearts of all the employees and commanded their respect and admiration, and nothing was left undone by them to show how deeply they regretted their loss.

Prior to the removal of the remains all the vehicular traffic was diverted at Victoria Bridge and Strabane Bridge to the Camus Road by the constabulary, under District Inspector Gallagher, Strabane, so that there was no obstruction of the procession on the way to the Church of the Good Shepherd, in the grounds of which the remains were interred. Although not a cemetery, the beautiful spot, neatly enclosed by a circular wall in front of the ornate church, which owed its existence largely to the deceased’s efforts, a neatly-built vault, 8 ft square, was provided, and no more fitting place could have been selected. It was the site which deceased himself thought would have been a suitable situation for a local war memorial. How appropriately might both now be combined by raising a memorial to the great General who had led his men to victory and ever afterwards espoused their cause with unfailing devotion. The interior of the vault was lined by loving hands with evergreens, betokening the place which deceased’s memory must ever hold in the hearts of those who knew him. Around the boundary wall were placed a profusion of wreaths and floral tributes, which entirely enclosed the grave-plot. Many of those bore touching expressions of affectionate tenderness and sympathy, while others spoke of indebtedness and loss which was deeply deplored.

The chief mourners were - Colonel Ricardo, DSO and Admiral Ricardo, CB, brothers; Mrs Ricardo, widow; Captain JC Herdman, DL, brother-in-law; Mr Claude Herdman, RN, nephew; Major Sir Emerson Herdman, KBE. Lady Herdman, Mrs Sherwin, Miss Maud Herdman, Miss Gertrude Herdman, sisters-in-law; Mr MW Simms, Brussels, one of the Directors; Mr WM Simpson, Belfast, and Mr John Williamson, Kirkcaldy, agents; Mr William J Dickson, manager; Mr James Robinson, secretary; Mr JFA Simms, solicitor.

Captain JC Herdman, DL, was on the Continent at the time of the death of deceased, and travelled from Paris by aeroplane to attend the funeral, as did also Major Stevenson.

Amongst others associated with the firm who were present were Messrs Simpson, Belfast, and Mr W McCrum, Armagh, who are also agents of the firm.

The attendance at the funeral was immense, so that it was only possible to glean a few names from the numerous throng.

Amongst those were – His Grace the Lord Primate of All Ireland, the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore, the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Very Rev the Dean of Derry, the Venerable the Archdeacon of Derry, the Venerable the Archdeacon of Raphoe, Rev Canon Smith, Drumquin; Canon MacQuaide, Londonderry; Canon A McQuade, Omagh; Rev A McAfee, Omagh; Rev FM Hamilton, Baronscourt; Rev TL Healy, Newtownstewart; Canon Dobbs, Eglinton; Rev R Scandrett, Urney; Rev Canon Wright, Stranorlar; Rev M Neill, Sion Mills; Rev WT McCourt, Londonderry; Rev Canon Staunton, Ballymore; Rev WC Wallace, Dunfanaghy; Rev John McAdams, Londonderry; Rev Robert McQuade, Lislimnahan; Rev D Morton, Newtownstewart; Rev D Kelly, Donegal; Rev Thos Baird, BD, Strabane; Rev T Kelly, Donaghmore; Rev J E Doyle, Strabane; Rev J Haddock, Kilteevogue; Rev Edward Clarke, Strabane; Rev SRS Colquhoun, Stranorlar; Rev M Lewis, Mountfield; Rev CK Irwin, Armagh; Rev Gerald Moriarty, Cappagh; Rev RJ Ryan, Killymard; Rev J Boyle, Laghey; Rev R Laird, Ardstraw; Rev WFH Garstin, Clonleigh.

Colonel McClintock, CBE, ADC, DL, represented His Grace the Duke of Abercorn, the Governor of Northern Ireland.

Dr Johnston, Stranorlar; Mr JFA Simms, and Mr RS Magee, Strabane, represented the Prior Endowed Schools, Lifford, of which the deceased was one of the Governors.

Mr TG Houston, JP, Portrush, represented the Londonderry Branch of the Ministry of Labour of which deceased was Chairman.

Others present included – Viscount Charlemont, Vice-lieutenant of county Tyrone; Major de la C Ray, Major Forde, DSO, Area Commandant of the Tyrone Special Constabulary; Commissioner O’Connor, RUC Londonderry; Major Watson, Londonderry; Lieutenant Frank Gilliland, RNVR: Captain Chambers MC, Mid-Ulster Fusiliers; Major JC Boyle, Armagh; Thomas MacGregor Greer, DL, Seapark, Carrickfergus; Captain Gosselin, RM; Captain Martelli, officer in charge of the Ulster Governor’s bodyguard; Colonel Browne-Lecky, DL; Colonel Howard; Colonel JB Buchanan DL; Colonel H Irvine, CB, DL; Major CAM Alexander MC; Major J Colhoun MC; Major R Stevenson; Captain Porter, Captain Kennedy, Major Regan, County Inspector for Tyrone RUC; Major JD Crosbie MC; Captain EM Munn; Captain JM Wilton Mc, representing the 10^th Inniskilling Fusiliers (the Derrys); Captain Fullerton JP, Lieutenant Delap RN; Captain Desmond JP; Captain Wagentreiber; Captain Messey; Captain JB Anderson; Lieiutenant WB Smyth JP; Second Lieutenant Butler; Lieiutenant Dr TE Johnston LLD; Lieutenant S McConnell; Captain Fyffe, Area Commandant Tyrone “B” Specials; Captain Baker, Area Commandant “A” Special Constabulary; Captain Boyle MC, Derry City, Adjutant “B” Special Constabulary; Captain Magill; Captain RT Bass; Sub-District Commandant RH Todd, Tyrone “B” Constabulary; Captain T McClay, Tyrone Special Constabulary; Capt R Chambers.

There was a big representation of the Boy Scouts organisation, and the following officers were present:- County Commissioner Clarke, MBE, Belfast; County Commissioner Heasley, county Down; County Commissioner McCrum, Mid-Ulster; Colonel HA Pakenham, CMG, Co Antrim; and Mr TH Keown, Chairman of the Belfast Scouts’ Association, while Miss V Ross, Akela, leader, represented the Ulster Wolf Cubs.

Captain TJ King was in charge of a detachment of men from the Beechmount Platoon of the Special Constabulary, and men of the British Legion were in charge of Captain Maguire.

Mr M Elliott (Sion Mills) and Mr Hegarty (Derry) represented the North-West Cricket Union.

Mr A Stewart, Mr TG Lewis, Mr JT Frankland, Mr RM Thompson and Mr WA Frankland represented the St George’s Society, of which General Ricardo was President.

His Honour Judge Cooke DL, Mr TF Cooke HML, Mr AF Cooke, Mr RA Wilson, Clerk of Crown and Peace, Donegal; Mr Hugh C Cochrane, Under-Sheriff county Donegal; Mr James Toner, Clerk of Crown and Peace, Omagh; Mr Claud C Hamilton, Secretary to County Council, Tyrone; Mr RH Carson, SCS, Omagh; Mr Thomas Johnston JP, Omagh; Dr Thompson DL, Omagh; Dr West, Kingston; Dr Weir, Ballindrait; Dr Staunton, Sion Mills; Dr Mowbray, Castlederg; Mr WT Quigley JP, Omagh; Mr Trevisa Clarke, Londonderry; Mr JH Welch, Londonderry; Mr RE Buchanan, Londonderry; Mr JR Scott DL, Willsboro’; Mr WW Barnhill BL, Strabane; Mr HT Gallagher, Strabane; Mr Thomas Elliott, Strabane; Mr WP Moody, Strabane; Mr David Wilson, Londonderry; Mr WA Scott, District Superintendant, Great Northern Railway, Omagh; Mr John Pinkerton JP, Londonderry; Mr CV Stoney Dl, Raphoe; Mr James Gordon CBE, Belfast; Mr James Hill, Strabane; Mr FS Merrick, Camus House; Mr AJ Cunningham, Northern Counties Hotel, Londonderry; Mr Wm Harpur JP, Strabane; Mr James White JP, Strabane; Mr AP Campbell, Dunamanagh; Mr Wm Connison, Donemana; Mr JG L’Amie, Strabane; Mr John S Weir JP, Strabane; Mr WT Miller JP, Newtownstewart; Mr GY Smyth, Omagh; Mr James Clarke, DL, Porthall; Mr Adam Coats, Belfast; Mr MS Moore DL, Molenan; Mr AA Crockett, Chairman Derry Harbour Board; Mr James Craig, Strabane; Mr Robert Crombie, Spamount; Mr JP Byrne, Hibernian Bank Strabane; Mr A Marquis, Belfast; Mr James Ross, Londonderry; Mr and Mrs RK Gilliland; Miss Osborne OBE; Mrs Reed, Mrs A McC Stewart, Londonderry; Mr Hawkes Ellis ICS, The Rash, Omagh; Mr WK Ellis, Omagh; Mr EMF-G Boyle, Limavady; Mr JG Magee JP, Londonderry; Mr JH McConnell, Londonderry; Mr David Watt, Glendarragh, Derry; Mr Hume Babington JP, Deanfield; Mr Arthur Phillips; Mr Lawson, Strabane; Mr JJ Semple, Mountcastle; Mr Alfred Woods, Strabane; Mr John Taylor, Castlefinn; Mr JL Orr VS, Strabane etc.

Major RC Smythe CMG, Commanding the Depot Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and Captain JT Miller, President Londonderry Branch of the British Legion, were unavoidably prevented from attending.

Shortly after noon the coffin was carried from the late General’s residence and placed on a gun-carriage. It was enveloped in a Union Jack, and on the top of a cushion on which were his decorations, consisting of the CMG, the CBE, DSO, North-West Indian Frontier Medal; The King and Queen’s South African Medals, the 1914-15 Star; the Victory Medal and the General Service Medal. The carriage was drawn by ex-Service men and the employees of Sion Mills, the pall-bearers being Colonel H Irvine CB, DL; Major CAM Alexander MC; Major J Colhoun MC; Major R Stevenson; Captain Porter and Captain Kennedy.

At the head of the funeral procession marched, with arms reversed, the firing party of twenty-five men of the Omagh Depot, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, under Lieutenant Sandford. Then followed the band of the Royal Sussex Regiment, who attended by kind permission of Colonel Bellamy DSO, the officer commanding. Next came the gun-carriage with the pallbearers. Immediately after was Colonel JK McClintock, CBE, DL, ADC, representing His Grace the Governor, followed by the chief mourners, officers according to rank, ex-Servicemen, marching four deep, Royal Ulster and Special Constabulary, Boy Scouts and the general public.

The spectacle was impressive in the extreme, and a striking demonstration of the universal sorrow at the loss of one so greatly esteemed. As the sad procession slowly wended its way to the Church, the band of the Royal Sussex Regiment played the Dead March in “Saul” and Chopin’s Marche Funebre.

At the entrance to the Church the coffin was met by the Rector (Rev R Scandrett), the Lord Primate (His Grace Dr D’Arcy), the Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe (Right Rev Dr Peacocke), Rev CK Irwin (Primate’s Chaplain) and Rev FM Hamilton (Chaplain to Bishop Peacocke).

As the remains were borne into the Church the Rector said the opening sentences of the burial office. The coffin was placed on a catafalque at the chancel steps. The catafalque, like the coffin, was covered with a Union Jack, and beside it was a magnificent wreath, bearing the following inscription:- “From Ella, on the thirtieth anniversary of our wedding day. What he is we know not. He will be a beautiful likeness of the God who gave him work to do which he did do so well.”

A drum, hanging on the front of the gallery, was carried in France in the Great War, at the head of the 9^th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, which General Ricardo raised and of which he was the first commanding officer. On this drum was another beautiful wreath from Major Sir Emerson and Lady Herdman. The floral decorations were confined to a few lovely lilies in vases above the altar.

Miss Hadfield presided at the organ, and before and after the service played Handel’s Largo, Mendelssohn’s Funeral March and Boyce’s’ Sonata.

The 23^rd Psalm having been said, Rev FM Hamilton read the Lesson from I Cor. xv.

Lord Bishop’s Tribute

The Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, speaking with evident emotion, paid a striking tribute to the dead General.

“We are met together here today” he said, “with a sense of very real and very deep personal sorrow, with a sense of very heavy public loss, the greatness of which we shall only fully learn to know as time goes on. We are met to pay a last tribute of respect to one which all of us admired, whom some of us who were happy enough to know him well loved with a true affection. And I desire first of all – I speak I know on behalf of every one of you – to express to those who were nearest and dearest to him our very sincerest heart sympathy with them. Words are worth little at such a time as this; but at least we wish to say that our sympathy and our prayers are very real and come from the bottom of our hearts. General Ricardo was a great soldier – “the truest warrior who ever buckled sword” – though he hated war, with all its miseries, and always strove for peace where it could be had with honour. He was a great citizen – a true lover of his country and the Empire – continually seeking its welfare, not sparing himself in his endeavours to promote and carry through what he believed to for its good and the good of the people. He was a great Christian. His religion was of the unobtrusive order, but it underlay all his life and thinking. Wholeheartedly he served God and followed Jesus Christ and loved his fellow-man. He was a great Churchman. His heart was in the Church of Ireland and its worship, though his sympathy and his help went out freely to other Churches. His services to our Church in this country, and more particularly to our own diocese, were of inestimable worth. He was a great friend, as, thank God, there are many of us can testify of abundant experience. I am not going to speak now of his distinguished career or to dwell on his various activities. These, I am sure, are well known to you all. I wish rather to touch on some of the things in himself which have struck me with special force, as I have known him intimately for some years past.

Why was it that General Ricardo was such a power? Why was it that everyone turned to him? It seems to me that in him were combined a number of outstanding qualities which one rarely finds all together in a single person. First of all he was a thorough man – intensely human; intensely interested in life as it is lived in this world; intensely interested in the people with whom he came in contact. He touched life at many points – soldiering, business, politics, sport, music, religion: always he was keen, always his heart was in it. Then his energy was unbounded. He lived up to the text, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.” Others may be like him in this, but the difference with him was that his hand found so many things to do, and he did them all with all his might. Slackness never marred his work; he didn’t leave one thing unfinished to turn to another, but he saw it through, whatever he undertook. The secret of this self-denying energy – for he practically allowed himself no leisure – is found in words he once said to me. It was shortly after he had returned from the war. ‘I have seen so many fine fellows killed out there,’ he said, ‘while l have been spared, that I feel sure God must have something He wants me to do with my life, and I’m going to try and do it.’ Was ever an intention more fully or more nobly carried out? Again, General Ricardo was one of those people who possess a dominating personality. Wherever he went he was a force that must be reckoned with. I give as an illustration what I have seen myself. It was only since the war that he was able to take any considerable part in the Representative Body and the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. In those few years he became a leading influence, admittedly one of the most influential and powerful members. In a large and difficult work of reconstruction which our Church had to undertake recently, I heard it freely stated that two men stood out pre-eminently for their weight and influence – one in the North and the other in the South – and General Ricardo was the man from the North. Yet he never put himself forward; he never played to any gallery; he never attempted to dominate. Most dominating personalities are self-assertive in a marked degree. It is the usual defect of their quality. But it was the very reverse with him. He was entirely selfless in his activities. One very unique proof of this I have noticed. It is usual with people, if they have given time and thought to some plan which they desire to see carried out, when they find they are unable to get it adopted and some other method is proposed, either to try and put obstacles in its way or at best sulkily to acquiesce. No man more earnestly advocated what he believed best than General Ricardo, but if he found that a majority thought differently he would scrap his plan without a murmur and do everything he could to help forward the plan adopted. All he wanted was to help, without a thought of self. And probably his plan would have been the best. For he was possessed of immense practical wisdom and shrewd common sense. The knowledge of this ability – tested countless times – combined with the absolute confidence universally possessed in the General’s utter sincerity and straightforwardness: you could not believe in his acquiescence in a” job”. This made everyone turn to him for advice and help to solve their problems. His Church, the Boy Scouts, the interests of ex-Service men, and very many other good causes got the full benefit of General Ricardo’s great wisdom and knowledge of affairs. When one adds to the qualities which I have briefly named, the personal magnetism which he possessed, his genial friendliness, which was not assumed, but a real part of the man, his entire sympathy with others, one can readily understand the influence and power he wielded – an influence and power always exercised for good.

It is well for us that we have known General Ricardo. I count it amongst the very happiest experiences I have had. His life was a Bible in which it was possible to read what God can do through a man. You and I ought to be the wiser for having been in contact with him for a while. His departure from our midst has left gaps in many spheres of work which almost dismay us, so impossible does it seem at the moment that they can be filled. But, let me add, they must be filled. It is due to him and to our love for him that we who remain should, to the best of our ability, push forward the work he loved, and, so far as we are able, see that it does not suffer. Each of us must try, as we may, to do our share; and, though God buries this great workman of His, He will carry on His work through us if we do not fail Him.

And now we are about to lay his body in its last resting place just before the door of the church in which he worshipped and which was so dear to him: in the midst of his own village, amongst the people whose interests came first with him, in the spot where, I am told, he himself had wished the local war memorial should have been placed. We lay his body there: he himself lives on. Not only in our memories, not only in the works he did – there he will indeed always live – but he lives on in the gladder, fuller life beyond the grave. We can well believe, as Bunyan tells us in the “Pilgrim’s Progress”, it was with Valiant for Truth that all the trumpets sounded when this faithful soldier passed over to the other side. There are some who would persuade us that this life is all – that death is the final end. The final end of such a man as General Ricardo! What sort of God must He be who could deal so with him and such as him? He would not be the God of wisdom and justice and love in Whom we believe, and Whom the General served. No. He has met our natural instinct of belief, for He has given us sure and certain hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The words of our Church’s Funeral Lesson, which we have just heard, are words of triumph. ‘As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’ However sore our loss, it is well with our loved friend now and for ever.

‘One sigh perchance for work unfinished here,

Then a swift passing to a mightier sphere.

New joys, perfected forms, the vision clear,

And all the amplitude of heaven to work

The work he held so dear.’

So we part with him, for a little while”.

As the coffin was borne down the aisle, the organist played Chopin’s Funeral March, and when it was being carried to the graveside the Royal Sussex Band played the Londonderry Air.

When the last notes had died away the Lord Bishop of Derry and Raphoe consecrated the burial place, and then the concluding portion of the Service for the Dead was said by the Primate and the Bishop.

Afterwards the firing party discharged three volleys over the grave, the pipers of the Omagh Depot Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers playing a Scottish Lament between each volley. The impressive service concluded with the sounding of the “Last Post” by two trumpeters.

Wreaths

The magnificent display of wreaths and the affectionate sentiments which they contained, was an outstanding feature of the funeral. These came from:-

Mrs Ricardo

“Emy and Olive” (Major Sir EC and Lady Herdman)

Captain and Mrs J C Herdman

Maud, Evelyn and Gertrude (sisters-in-law)

The Lord Bishop and members of the Diocesan Council, Derry and Raphoe

Mrs Eileen Stevenson, Derry

Members of the Staff, Herdmans’ Ltd.

Teaching Staff, Sion Mills National School

Mrs Sharkie, Domestic Staff, The Brae (his home)

Mrs Humphrey, Cavanacor, Lifford

Ulster Boy Scouts Gillhall Training Centre

The SM & ASM and Boys of the Newtowncunningham troop

G & W Simpson, Belfast Boy Scouts – in appreciation of our Ulster Chief

Rev R Scandrett

Mr EA Pitts

St Augustine’s Troop Boy Scouts

North-West Cricket Union

Dr AM Staunton

Mr and Miss Sinclair, Holyhill, Strabane

Mrs Gibson and Mr AJ Cunningham, Northern Counties Hotel, Derry

Sion Mills Recreation Club

First Omagh Troop Boy Scouts

Sion Mills Boy Scouts

Members of North Tyrone Unionist Association

Ulster Division Officers in London

The Sion Mills Officers’ Rangers, Guides and Brownies

The Officers 2^nd Mid-Tyrone Battalion UVF

The Officers Royal Sussex Regiment

Mrs RK Gilliland

The Londonderry Feis Committee, in loving memory of our dear Chairman

The servants at The Brae

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Old Comrades Association, London Branch

Major RC Smythe

Officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men, the Depot Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Ulster Girl Guides’ Headquarters

36^th (Ulster) Division Officers Old Comrades Association

Mrs HC Cochrane and all the Boyds

The Overlookers, Herdmans Ltd

Mrs Cochrane and Nancy

Violet Cochrane and Vi Lawlor

Rev FM and Mrs Hamilton

British Legion, North Irish Headquarters

The Mayor of Derry and Mrs Moore

Mr and Mrs WJC Fishbourne (Brussels)

Mrs WE Gordon and Mrs Merrick, Portadown

Canon Maxwell, Finnebrogue

Mr TF Olphert and all his family

Colonel Cooke, HML

Miss Gertrude Crawley

Miss Stewart, Bogay, Letterkenny

Columbas, Bournemouth

JH McConnell, in memory of an old friend

The Scouts of Mid-Ulster

The Royal Society of St George

Major and Mrs Boyle, Armagh

Dr Staunton

Miss Stewart, Londonderry

British Legion, Omagh Branch

Inniskilling Old Comrades in London

The wreath from the Londonderry Branch of the British Legion was composed of Flanders poppies and bore the following lines –

We cherish too the poppies red,

That grow on fields where heroes bled.

They seem to whisper to the skies

‘The blood of heroes never dies.’

A large proportion of the wreaths were supplied by Messrs McCorkell & Co, of the well-known nursery warehouse, Waterloo Place, Londonderry, and reflected much credit on the artistic taste of the establishment.

Messrs White & Co., house furnishers, Railway Street, Strabane, supplied the massive oak coffin, with heavy brass mountings.

TRIBUTE BY LONDONDERRY HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS

Speaking at the meeting of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners yesterday the Chairman (Mr A A Crockett) said – “Before the business of our meeting begins I would like to refer very briefly to the loss the community has sustained by the tragic death of General Ricardo, who was known personally to every member present”. (Newspaper cutting ends here – CMF)

RECORDED IN MILL DIARY BY CAPT JACK HERDMAN

“Death of Gen Ricardo – 9^th July, 1923

It is with great grief that we here record the tragic end of one of our Directors – Gen A St Q Ricardo. On the afternoon of the 9^th July, he went to visit the Reservoir. Apparently, for some unknown reason, he fell & struck his forehead on the stone facing of the bank, and thus rolled, unconscious, into the water, where he was drowned. He was given a full military funeral on Friday, 13^th July, and was buried in a vault constructed in front of the West Door of the Church.”