Old Contemptible WWI Hero’s Memorial Restoration
On the 23rd August 1914 Quartermaster Sergeant T W Fitzpatrick of the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment stopped the advance of the German Army at Mons with a motley crew of 50 drivers, cooks and ancillaries for 11 hours.
For this QMS Fitzpatrick was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) by his Sovereign, the Croix de Guerre by the French and the Cross of St George by the Russians.
He was commissioned an Officer in the field and was credited with the story of the Angel of Mons.
For full details of this remarkable Irishman’s action and subsequent career, click on this link and go to the Irish Times full page article published in 2014: at
www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/irishman-wh...
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Thomas William Fitzpatrick CBE, OBE, DCM
Fitzpatrick then went on to have an illustrious 42-year career in the British Army and eventually retired as Lieutenant Colonel T W Fitzpatrick. He died in 1965 in London and was buried along with his wife in Surbiton Cemetery in Surrey, England.
In 2016 his grave was discovered to have been vandalised along with many others around it in that cemetery.
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This is what was left of it!
The headstone broken off and the stone surrounds smashed.
A granddaughter travelled from Ireland and tidied it as best she could.
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But it needs complete restoration!
Discussions were had with the Cemetery Authority, and it was established that only the owner of the grave could initiate any restoration of the memorial. Ownership of the grave was determined and steps were taken, because the owner, his daughter, was also deceased, for the transfer of the grave to a younger member of the family and this is now ongoing.
Quotations for a complete restoration of the memorial were obtained from a Cemetery Authority approved list of Stonemasons and these averaged out at over £3000. Along with legal fees and Cemetery fees £5000 would enable the complete restoration to be achieved.
When this remarkable man died this was the entry in “Who’s Who”:
“Who’s Who” Publication Entry for 1966
Fitzpatrick, Thomas William C.B.E. 1944 (O.B.E. 1936); D.C.M. Lt Col (Retired Pay)
Commissioner of Police and Prisons. Eritrea 1946 – 1950;
m. Maud J. Wagner (d 1964); two S. one d. . Educ St Aldan’s Acad Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
Enlisted in ranks of 18th Royal Irish Regt. Commissioned and Adjutant 2nd Btn. 1914
(Despatches 5 times and wounded twice, D.C.M., Russian Cross of St George, French Medaille and Croix de Guerre.)
Bt. Major to West Yorkshire Regt. 1919. Provost Marshall, Egypt & Palestine 1921
Retired in 1926 to Egyptian Police of Alexandria and Cairo. Commandant Suez Canal Police, 1942 with rank of Lewa (Maj-Gen) and title of Pasha. Hon. Observer, Egyptian Royal Air Force. Recalled to regular Army in 1946.
Holds 14 Foreign Decorations including Knight Comdr of Order of Phoenix with Swords.
Publications:- Police Instructions 1937 Recreations:- golf, shooting, fishing, bridge and cross country running.
Club:- Turf (Cairo) Address:- S.C.10 House, Putney Heath, S.W.15 Died:- 24 – 3 – 1965
And these were the medals this hero was awarded during his illustrious career:
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And finally his Long Service & Good Conduct Medal issued to him, after 18 years’ service, in 1914.
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How can we as a Nation allow this man, who has served his King and Country in an exemplarily fashion all his life, be commemorated and remembered in this way?
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The people of Mons recognising his action in 1914 at La Bascule Crossroads, Mons, where QMS Fitzpatrick held up the German advance, unveiled this 3 metre high Celtic Cross in 1922 to commemorate the event, and it is still there to this day!
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The target for this project is therefore £5000 or $7000 for the basic restoration of the existing memorial, but if donations were to exceed this amount by enough then a small replica Celtic Cross, of the La Bascule Crossroads memorial, would be also commissioned and installed on the Memorial and a fund established to ensure a wreath is laid on it each year. Any further excess would be donated to suitable military charities.
Such a fitting Memorial to such a remarkable man is only right and just!
Each contributor will receive a picture, hopefully framed, of the completed restoration and can look at it with the satisfaction of knowing that they helped to remember a very brave and courageous British soldier.
Please donate generously!
Indiegogo, the American website which is hosting this Appeal for free, unfortunately show all donations in American Dollars. All donations no matter how small or large may be donated in Dollars and if you live in the UK, this will automatically be changed into £ sterling on your credit card.
The present exchange rate is $1 = £0.77 or £1 = $1.29
$10 = £7.70 $20 = £15.47 $50 = £38.69
Please don't let this stop you from donating to this worthy cause!
I am Reg Fitzpatrick, T W Fitzpatrick's grandson and I can be contacted direct at reg@onvol.net
