21 June 2007 Edition
Unveiling of monument to Derry Volunteer of 1920s
Derry Graves Association are to unveil a headstone in Derry City Cemetery to Volunteer Hugh Morrison who died in June 1922. The unveiling will take place on Sunday, 24 June 2007
Morrison joined the IRA as a Volunteer with the Derry Brigade in 1919. Along with his comrades he fought the RIC, B-Specials and the British Army. At that time they derailed troop and goods trains throughout Donegal as well as attacking Government buildings in Derry.
At the outset of the Civil War, Morrison was fatally injured when, following an attack on the Free State Army, he tried to remove an unexploded mills bomb from the roadway. He passed away three days later in Lifford Hospital.
Awarded a posthumous medal for his bravery, his family declined a republican funeral and he has never had a commemorative head stone. The late Barney McFadden had tried on occasion to arrange a befitting memorial but it was only recently that his family consented to Hugh being honoured by the Republican Movement.
Hugh’s nephew Charlie Morrison commented: “On Sunday, 24 June, 2007 – 85 years after he died – we will finally honour brave Hugh Morrison for giving his life for his country.”
Morrison joined the IRA as a Volunteer with the Derry Brigade in 1919. Along with his comrades he fought the RIC, B-Specials and the British Army. At that time they derailed troop and goods trains throughout Donegal as well as attacking Government buildings in Derry.
At the outset of the Civil War, Morrison was fatally injured when, following an attack on the Free State Army, he tried to remove an unexploded mills bomb from the roadway. He passed away three days later in Lifford Hospital.
Awarded a posthumous medal for his bravery, his family declined a republican funeral and he has never had a commemorative head stone. The late Barney McFadden had tried on occasion to arrange a befitting memorial but it was only recently that his family consented to Hugh being honoured by the Republican Movement.
Hugh’s nephew Charlie Morrison commented: “On Sunday, 24 June, 2007 – 85 years after he died – we will finally honour brave Hugh Morrison for giving his life for his country.”