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News story: World War 1 Royal Dublin Fusilier’s resting place finally marked after almost 100 years
At a moving service yesterday at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France, a new headstone was dedicated to Lieutenant William Frederick MacHutchison, originally from Belfast. The service was arranged by the MOD’s Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre (JCCC) and led by the Reverend Justin Bradbury, Regimental Chaplain, The Queen’s Royal Hussars.
William Frederick MacHutchison was born in Belfast on 16 October 1893, and was the son of John and Jane MacHutchison. He had 2 brothers, George and John, and 1 sister, Mary. William was educated at St. Andrew’s College, Dublin and went on to work for the Honk Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).
William saw extensive service during World War 1. He enlisted in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1915 and joined the 7th battalion in Egypt. He ended up spending 2 months at the Red Cross hospital in Giza after contracting a severe stomach infection. He re-joined his battalion in Mudros, where they moved on to Salonika. At this point he was appointed Acting Quartermaster sergeant to 30th battalion Infantry Brigade HQ. After spending time in Malta, William received a gunshot wound at Struma Valley in the Balkans in late 1916, which meant he was transferred back to the UK.
It wasn’t until November 1917 that he was declared well enough to return to action, where he joined the 8/9th battalion in France. When the 8/9th battalion were disbanded in February 1918, he became part of the newly formed 1st battalion. On the 27 March 1918, William was injured during fighting at Morcourt. He was taken to the nearest dressing station at Lamotte, where he tragically passed away a few days later.
William’s burial place had remained unknown, until the grave of an unknown Lieutenant buried in Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery was brought to the attention of the Ministry of Defence. After extensive historical research into this unknown grave and the circumstances surrounding Lawrence’s death, it has been confirmed by the MOD’s JCCC that this grave is that of Lieutenant William Frederick MacHutchison.
The great niece of Lieutenant MacHutchison, Sandra Harper, was able to attend the service with her son, Colin, and said:
It was a very monumental occasion and something I never envisaged would happen. I feel privileged and honoured to have attended something I felt I had to do for generations gone.
Rev Justin Bradbury said:
To make this pilgrimage in holy week to enable others to honour the memory of Lieutenant MacHutchison has been a singular privilege.
Nicola Nash, from the MOD Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre (JCCC), said:
This service was made especially poignant by having Lieutenant MacHutchison’s great niece, Sandra, and great great nephew present. They had travelled from Belfast for the ceremony. It is lovely to have so many nationalities buried together in such a beautiful ceremony.
Jean Lambert: Dunkirk is burning, it’s time to throw refugee children a lifeline
13 April 2017
On Monday night, a fire ripped through Dunkirk refugee camp in northern France destroying 80% of the site including wooden shelters, community spaces, kitchens and the women’s and children’s centre [1].
The camp was home to approximately 1,500 people, including more than 100 unaccompanied children. According to legal organisation Safe Passage, there were 80 children living in the camp who have the legal right to be reunited with family members in the UK. Their names have been sent to the Home Office [2].
Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London and Green Party migration spokesperson, said:
“The situation in Dunkirk is desperately sad. As a result of Monday’s fire, more than 100 unaccompanied minors now find themselves homeless once again, facing the very real risk of violence and exploitation from people smugglers or of going missing among the chaos.
Legal mechanisms exist to help these young people. All 80 unaccompanied minors who have family members in the UK could be reunited with them immediately under the Dublin Regulation. More lone children who are particularly vulnerable should also be eligible for protection in the UK under the ‘Dubs’ scheme, which the government scrapped earlier this year after claiming there was no space for them.
I want the Home Office to know that there’s space in my constituency, London, where local authorities’ offers to take in so-called ‘Dubs’ children have been cruelly rejected. Many other cities including Birmingham, Bristol and Glasgow are also ready and waiting to welcome more child refugees.
Theresa May’s hard-line government has so far showed a total lack of compassion for unaccompanied children in Europe, choosing to invest in fencing and barbed wire rather than in their safety and security. Now that Dunkirk is burning, it’s time to throw them a lifeline. I am calling for the Home Office to step up, and fulfill its moral and legal obligations.”
Notes:
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39562742
2. http://www.citizensuk.org/need_for_urgent_transfer_of_80_children_from_fire_damaged_refugee_camp
Declaration on behalf of the EU on the 15th anniversary of the decision on the border delimitation by the Eritrea-Ethiopia
On this day fifteen years ago, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) communicated its decision regarding the delimitation of the border between the State of Eritrea and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The EEBC had been established as part of the Algiers peace agreement signed by the leaders of Eritrea, President Isaias Afwerki, and Ethiopia, late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, in Algiers, Algeria on 12 December 2000. The EU signed as a witness alongside Algeria, the United States of America, the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity.
The EU remains deeply concerned that the present stalemate continues to put regional stability at risk, with potentially negative implications on international peace and security as well as international trade, and hampers regional cooperation and development.
The EU is convinced that the parties have all to gain from a full implementation of the provisions of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission’s decision. In this regard, the EU encourages all concrete steps that could lead to finally demarcating the border in accordance with the EEBC decision and to move to a phase of building constructive and peaceful relations.
As part of its strong engagement on the Horn of Africa, the EU stands ready to support the process and any measures that will create conditions for a mutually beneficial relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia in the future.
Statement by the Spokesperson on political tensions in Zambia
Political tensions in Zambia have increased over past weeks and in particular with the events surrounding the arrest of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema in recent days.
Calm and to refrain from any actions and rhetoric likely to aggravate the situation are much needed.
The Zambian people expect all parties to engage in dialogue to contribute to a peaceful and democratic society and to respect the rule of law.