Battle of the Yser
Thiepval, Ulster Tower
When she lifted a finger – Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson
Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, founder of the Australian Red Cross in 1914. [SLV MP013673, State Library of Victoria]
The tower itself has an interesting Australian connection. It is modelled on a similar structure high on a wooded hill in the Clandeboye estate of the Blackwood family near Belfast. The most famous member of this family is undoubtedly Frederick Temple Blackwood who, in 1871, was raised to the peerage as the 1st Marquis of Dufferin and Ava. The Marquis had a very distinguished career in the British colonial service which included becoming Viceroy of India and Governor–General of Canada. He was greatly saddened by his mother’s death in 1867 and to her memory he built ‘Helen’s Tower’ at Clandeboye. In 1914, units of the 36th Ulster Division trained on the Clandeboye estate, so the sense of connection between the division and Clandeboye was strong.
Helen’s Tower, Clandeboye Estate, County Down, Northern Ireland. This was the model for the Ulster Tower on the Somme.
Men from County Antrim in training for the Ulster Division, Clandeboye, County Down, Ireland, c.1914. [Somme Heritage Centre, Northern Ireland]
![The Ulster Tower, Thiepval. [DVA]](images/ulster-7.jpg)
The Ulster Tower, Thiepval. [DVA]
The Marquis’ eldest daughter, born in 1865, was Lady Helen Hermione Blackwood. Although the family spent many years overseas during her childhood she would have known her grandmother’s memorial tower and Clandeboye well. In 1889, Helen married Ronald Munro–Ferguson and, in 1914, the couple arrived in Melbourne for Munro–Ferguson to take up the position of Governor–General of the Commonwealh of Australia, a post he held right through World War I until 1920. Lady Helen’s contribution to Australia’s war effort was immense.
Red Cross Certificate signed by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, awarded to Violet Williams in recognition of her wartime service. [SLSA.B26285.209, State Library of South Australia]
In August 1914, Lady Helen Munro–Ferguson founded the Australian Red Cross, an organisation which during the war organised thousands of mainly women volunteers dedicated to providing comforts for the AIF overseas and for helping their familes find out more about what happened to men reported missing through the Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau. Lady Helen was no mere figurehead or patron. She created the organisation around the country and turned Government House, Melbourne, into a major Red Cross depot. As Lady Galway, the wife of the Governor of South Australia, wrote, ‘When she Lady Helen lifted a finger I stood, metaphorically speaking, to attention’. When she returned to Europe in 1920 Lady Helen kept up her association with Australia by representing the Australian Red Cross for many years at the Red Cross’ headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. She died in 1941.
Ladies of Voluntary Aid Detachments marching past Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, wife of the Governor–General, in front of Government House Sydney, New South Wales, c.1915. [AWM H11580]
Lady Helen Munro Ferguson accompanied by the Governor–General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, presenting a travelling field kitchen, donated by the ladies of Port Adelaide, to the Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, 1915. [AWM A01281]
Headstone of Private James Gilmour, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval. Connaught Cemetery is close to the Ulster Tower in front of the Bois d’Authuille (Authuille Wood) where the men of the 36th Ulster Division assembled before their attack on 1 July 1916. [DVA]
Tree walk, Ulster Tower, Thiepval. [DVA]
Autumn landscape, looking towards the Ulster Tower from Thiepval. [DVA]
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© 2008 Department of Veterans' Affairs and Board of Studies NSW :: Last update - November 2008