Isle of Man Great War Roll of Honour, St Thomas' Church, Douglas
Period: 1936
NGR Easting: 238177
NGR Northing: 476012
Description: This roll of honour in book form is one of the original books printed by the War Pensions Committee in 1934, and donated to each parish church throughout the Island, to commemorate those who had fallen in the Great War.
1,480 names listed.
First World War.
A letter dated 2nd December 1936 from R.D. Farrant, Chairman of the War Pensions Committee, was distributed with the book:
"Dear Vicar,
The War Pensions Committee (for which I am Chairman) sometime ago decided to prepare a list of all Manxmen who were killed or died as a result of their service in the Great War and also of those who obtained decorations and honours.
Thanks to the generosity of the Earl of Derby, they were able to publish this list in book form (it has been offered for sale at 12/6d) and they are now able to present one of these volumes to each Parish Church in the Island where it will be deposited with the Church Records and available for reference by anyone interested.
I have pleasure therefore in forwarding you a copy of the book for such purpose and shall be glad to hear that the gift is acceptable."
The foreword, by the Earl of Derby:
"As President of the North-Western Area of the British Legion, I must offer you my most grateful thanks for having undertaken the work of compiling the Manx Roll of Honour.
It is well that the deeds of those who died in the Great War should find a permanent memorial in such a list. Whilst this generation lives their names will not be forgotten, but other generations will arise to whom they will not be personally known. This Roll will serve to keep their memory green and future Manxmen and Manxwomen, when reading it, will realise that in our great struggle the Isle of Man played a noble part."
The preface, by R.D. Farrant:
"This Book is intended to form an authoritative record of all Manxmen who lost their lives on active service in the Great War of 1914 to 1918, or have since died as a result of wounds, injury or disease contracted on active service. It has been compiled by the Isle of Man War Pensions Committee and their staff, from all available official and other sources and sets out, as far as can be ascertained, the names, addresses and regimental or naval particulars of every deceased sailor, soldier or airman of Manx Nationality."
The roll of honour in St Thomas' church is placed on a prayer desk in the north aisle of the church.
Information provided by the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee.
Image courtesy of Chris Blyth, Isle of Man Photographic Society.
Site & Monument Type: book of honour
Category: Isle of Man National Inventory of War Memorials
Site ID number: IOM_NIWM_DOU_00019_2