RAMC Corps Sunday takes place each year on the anniversary of the formation of the Royal Army Medical Corps which occurred in 1898.
It is marked by serving and retired military medical personnel at church services, when they remember their fallen comrades and those for whom they cared, and they re-dedicate themselves to serve faithfully in adversity and to live up to the Corps motto, In Ardius Fidelis – Faithful in Adversity. Thirty-three personnel of the Royal Army Medical Corps are recipients of the Victoria Cross.
In 1922, four identical memorials were placed in Westminster Abbey, St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, St David’s Cathedral in Wales and in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. The names of the 6,783 personnel of the Royal Army Medical Corps fell in the Great War are enrolled in the Golden Book in the Chapter House, Westminster Abbey. Ireland provided more than its fair share, as graduates from all the medical schools on the island served with the Royal Army Medical Corps.
This year, in Dublin, the Royal Army Medical Corps Association’s annual event, was marked on Sunday 09 June, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter, in the National Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Patrick, Dublin. The Commemoration Service, marking the 126th Anniversary of the Royal Army Medical Corps, and the 101th Anniversary of the establishment of the Defence Forces Medical Corps, was coordinated by Brigadier John Graham OBE (Retd) Royal Army Medical Corps, and an active member of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust.
The Choral Evensong was led by The Reverend Charles Mullen, Dean Vicar of St Patrick’s Cathedral, and sung by the Cathedral Choir (Lay Vicars Choral). The First Lesson was read by Colonel Anthony Corcoran Director Defence Forces Medical Branch. Lieutenant-Colonel Gillian Bingham, RAMC Association (Ulster Branch) read the Second Lesson.
The Sermon was preached by The Reverend Alan Synnott, Rector, Camlough Union, Diocese of Armagh, and former Chaplain to 2 Armoured Field Ambulance based in Germany. Representatives of the RAMC (Ulster Branch) were present, and their Standard was on display in the North Transept.
Following the Choral Evensong, a Commemorative and Wreath Laying Service was conducted at the RAMC Memorial in the North Transept. Brigadier John Graham OBE recited The Exhortation and following The Silence, The Kohima Dedication.
Those who laid wreaths were (l to R): Colonel Ken Millar, the National President of the RAMC Association; Professor Tom Trinick, Chairman, Ulster Branch of the RAMC Association; Brigadier Martin Nadin, Colonel Commandant of the RAMC; Dr Erika Keane, President, Association of Medical and Dental Graduates, RCSI; Colonel Anthony Corcoran, Director of Defence Forces Medical Branch; and Lieutenant-Colonel Ken Martin, President Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District).
Graduates from all the medical schools in Ireland served in the Great War in large numbers, and representatives of medical alumni groups and members of the Royal Army Medical Corps Association participated in the Service. Attendance also included: Mr Paul Stephenson, Chairman Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District); The Reverend Peter M. Rutherford, Chaplain, Royal British Legion (Republic of Ireland District; and Michael Kinahan, President of the Organisation of Ex Servicemen and Women.
The Military Heritage of Ireland Trust was represented by its Chair Brigadier-General Paul Fry (Retd), accompanied by Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd) and Lieutenant-Colonel Eamonn Fogarty (Retd).
Event Photographs
Link to photographs of the Commemoration Service: https://flickr.com/photos/mhit/albums/72177720317755571
Photographs courtesy of Brigadier-General Paul Fry (Retd) and Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd).
RAMC Memorial St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin
The Irish RAMC Memorial, located in the North Transept of St Patrick’s Cathedral is identical to the one in St George’s Chapel, in Westminster Abbey. Personnel of the RAMC who fell in the First World War are recorded in the Golden book in Westminster Abbey. The inscription reads:
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS
In memory of 743 Officers and 6130 Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men who fell in the Great War, and whose names are enrolled in a Golden Book placed in the Chapter House.
“They loved not their lives unto the death”
RAMC’s Regimental Collect
O God, whose blessed Son was made perfect through suffering, give thy grace, we beseech thee, to thy servants of the Royal Army Medical Corps, that by loyalty in hard service after the example of Saint Luke the beloved physician, we may be found faithful in ministering to those who need, for his sake who went about doing good, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
RAMC Association
The Royal Army Medical Corps Association was established in 1925 to further the camaraderie of the First World War veterans, with Sir William Leishman being the first President.
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