Ricardo Monument, Church of the Good Shepherd, Melmount Road, Sion Mills, Co Tyrone, BT82 9ET

Ricardo Monument, Church of the Good Shepherd, Melmount Road, Sion Mills

An impressive classical limestone memorial erected in 1923 to commemorate Brigadier General Ambrose Quintin Ricardo, a prominent figure in the history of Sion Mills. The monument stands to the west front of the Church of the Good Shepherd, with which it has group value.

The memorial takes the form of a rectangular table-tomb raised on a three-stage podium. It is well-crafted in limestone with classical detailing throughout. The design features a cornice, pedestal, and carved framed plaques. These plaques are flanked by corner pilasters with egg-and-dart mouldings and fluted shafts. The memorial is topped by a stepped block finished with a cast bronze wreath.

The inscribed plaques record Ricardo's military honours and service. The western plaque reads: "In memory of / Ambrose S. Quintin Ricardo CMG, CBE, DSO / In recognition of his great talents and / self sacrificing devotion on behalf of / many interests, his relatives friends and / fellow workers have combined to erect / this memorial". The eastern plaque states: "In memory of Brigadier General / Ambrose Quintin Ricardo CMG, CBE, DSO / Late Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers / Tirah Campaign 1897-1898 / South Africa 1900-1902 / The Great War 1914-1919 / Born 21 November 1866 Died 9 July 1923". The southern face displays the Inniskilling crest. The northern face bears a coat of arms depicting a shield with a unicorn to the right, wheat sheaves and a diagonal band to the left, surmounted by an armoured head topped by a bird.

Brigadier General Ricardo (1866-1923) was instrumental in the development of Sion Mills, the company-owned model village established by Herdman & Co., the flax spinning mill. He became a member of the Board of Herdman & Co. Ltd. in 1903, succeeding John Herdman. Ricardo was the son-in-law of Emerson Tennet Herdman, who also saw action during World War I and had commissioned the architect William F. Unsworth to remodel Sion House. During the Great War, Ricardo was given command of the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was drowned in the reservoir he had built for Sion Mills. His funeral was reported extensively by the Londonderry Sentinel as an impressive occasion with great demonstrations of sorrow and sympathy. The monument is situated within the Sion Mills Conservation Area.