AT THE RIVER'S CRYSTAL BRINK
CHRIST SHALL JOIN
EACH BROKEN LINK

CORPORAL WILLIAM STARRETT

ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS

24TH MARCH 1918 AGE 20

BURIED: BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION NORD, FRANCE


This is a very popular memorial inscription, particularly in Northern Ireland, which is where Corporal Starrett came from - Ballinahonemore, Armagh. The inscription is a modification of a hymn by the American hymnwriter Fanny Crosby. The hymn speaks of the 'sweet day' when 'we shall meet our lov'd ones gone':
At the river's crystal brink
Some sweet day, by and by;
We shall find each broken link
Some sweet day, by and by;