Roscommon Messenger – Saturday 29 January 1916
Presentation to Lieutenant- Colonel Lord Crofton
The tenancy and employees on the Crofton estate, on Saturday, presented Lieutenant- Colonel Lord Crofton with an address congratulating him upon his safe return from the battlefields of France, and expressing the sincere hope that his lordship will ultimately come safely through the many dangers of the present terrible conflict. The address proceeded – “We appreciate to the full, the spirit of your patriotism and high courage that induced your lordship to give your valuable assistance in the Great European crisis where the safety of small nations are at stake. In doing so you have set an example to waverers and slackers that must have forced many to emulate your fine action. But it is, perhaps as our landlord that we can best appreciate your many good qualities. As a landlord it would be difficult to find your equal. Your many acts of generosity, your kind hearted care, and undivided charity are only known to the individuals who have profited by them. No tenant in difficulties ever sought in vain and many families living in comfort and happiness on your estate today owe their conditions to your lordships aid at a time when harsh measures would meant their demise. We are mindful of the benefits we have received from you, and while offering you our most hearty congratulations on your safe return, we trust that the speedy termination of the present deplorable war may find you released to again resume the position of a residential landlord over a happy prosperous and contented tenancy”. The presentation took place at Mote Park.
Lord Crofton very suitably replied in the following terms:- It has given me the greatest pleasure to receive the address of welcome you have so kindly presented to me today, and the many heartfelt expressions of appreciation and goodwill contained in it. It is worth having been away to come home and receive the friendly welcome I have received from everyone. I am simply doing my duty to my country, and what I consider every man’s duty – to help defend his country in this grave time of peril. We are fighting for the right of all small nations to be allowed to exist in peace and prosperity. Unless German militarism is absolutely crushed no nation will be safe and all nations will be obliged to bear the enormous expense of huge armaments and large conscript armies. To do this every man will be required to do his bit. It has given me the greatest pleasure to see all my friends in and around Mote, although it is but for a few days. There is a sad gap among my friends in Mote, and I cannot say how deeply I feel about it. As you all know, Robert Haggart, who was under me, and was close to me just before he was wounded, died doing his duty like a man. I cannot speak too highly of him and feel his death worse than I can say. I have always looked upon it not only as a duty but as a pleasure to help all those it has been in my power to assist. My one regret is that I am unable to do more. I have always looked on tenants and employees as friends, and I trust they will always look upon me as their friend and come to me in their difficulties. I trust I may be spared, as I have providentially been spared up to now, to live amongst you once again, and that the same cordial relations may always exist between us.
LORD CROFTON’S HOME-COMING
The following lines are written on the occasion of the home-coming of Lord Crofton from France:-
You are welcome home, Lord Crofton,
To Mote Park’s fair demesne
From the battlefields of Belgium
And from France’s lovely pials
When the call for you to Mote Park came
You bravely took your stand
To defend your King and Country
As we well can understand
When other Lords and wealthy squires
Enjoyed their Christmas belly
You were fighting in cold trenches
Where rained both shot and shells
When the Kaiser loosed his dogs of war
Against our great Empire
You bravely marched you Fusiliers
Not fearing steel of fire
If every Colonel in command
Had led their men like you
They’d be enshrined in England’s heart
As heroes brave and true.
And in the distant future
Marked in the rolls of fame
When others are forgotten long
Will shine your honoured name
May the Lord protect and guard your steps
When again you face the Huns
And send you back with victory gained
Along with your two brave sons.
Cloonconra, Ballymurray Thomas Curley
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