As part of Literacy Week, 1 Fergus History students visited the Thomas Woodgate memorial at the Courthouse, where they explored the history and symbolism behind the monument. This activity helped students practice “reading” historical monuments and uncovering their meaning, an important skill in Junior Cycle History.
The Thomas Woodgate monument commemorates 14 year old Private 2nd Class Thomas Woodgate (born 31/12/1903, died 10/10/1918), the youngest Irishman killed by enemy fire during World War I. He was one of many Irish youths who served and died in conflicts worldwide.
During the visit, students discovered that the monument was unveiled in 2020 and learned that the three torpedoes depicted at its base represent those fired by the German submarine UB-123, which sank the RMS Leinster in 1918. The sinking, with 567 lives lost, remains the greatest maritime tragedy in the Irish Sea.
More than 3,000 men and women from Kilkenny County served in World War I, with over 800 losing their lives. Students reflected on the broader impact of the war on Ireland and the significance of historical commemoration gaining a deeper understanding of how monuments tell stories of the past and how we engage with these important parts of our shared history.
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