Some Key Dates
Britain declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914.
Germany signed an Armistice with the Allies and the guns fell silent on the Western Front at 11.00 am on 11 November 1918.
The Termination of the Present War (Definition) Act received Royal Assent on 21 November 1918.
This Act provided for an Order in Council to be made by the British Parliament specifying the date upon which the war would officially end.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 by the Allied Powers and Germany and this treaty ended the state of war that existed between those countries.
Finally, on 10 August 1921 the Order was made specifying that the Great War would officially end on 31 August 1921.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
The Commission was founded by Sir Fabian Ware and was officially established by Royal Charter in 1917 as the Imperial War Graves Commission with its headquarters at 82 Baker Street in London. It became the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in 1960.
In its Debt of Honour, the Commission commemorates those who died in service or from causes attributable to service during the designated war years – from 4 August 1914 to 31 August 1921.
Erection and Dedication of War Memorials in the Ards North Down Area
Greyabbey and District War Memorial on 2 April 1921
Ballywalter and District War Memorial on 25 October 1922
Comber and District War Memorial on 14 April 1923
Holywood and District War Memorial on 1 July 1923
Groomsport and District War Memorial on 27 December 1924
Donaghadee and District War Memorial on 1 July 1926
Bangor and District War Memorial on 24 May 1927
Newtownards and District War Memorial on 26 May 1934
In the case of Newtownards and District War Memorial, the organising committee of the day decided to include the names of ex-servicemen who died up to that date from what they considered to be war related causes, whether as a result of wounds or disease.
Since the dates of dedication, additional names have been added to some of these War Memorials.
In addition to the War Memorials in local Towns and Villages, War Memorials were also erected in Churches, Masonic Halls, Orange Halls, Royal British Legion Halls, Schools/Universities, Sports Clubs (including Cricket, Golf, Rugby and Yacht Clubs) and Work Places (including Banks).
Dates of Death of Ards North Down Casualties
The date of death has not yet been confirmed for some of those whose names are inscribed on memorials in Ards North Down.
Information about any of these casualties will be gratefully received.