25 December 2024 12:05 am Views - 392
| This Cyprus tree which is popularly known as the Peace Tree has grown to a height of 130 feet and is quite healthy |
This Cypress tree which is popularly known as the Peace Tree has grown to a height of 130 feet and is quite healthy. Mrs. M. M. Wedderburn, the spouse of an acting Governor of British Ceylon was deeply traumatised by the events that occurred during World War I. On July 19, 1919, she planted a Cypress Tree at Victoria Park and named it as the ‘Peace Tree’.
This Cypress plant which was planted by Mrs. Wedderburn to spread the message of peace is a massive tree today. Many local visitors and tourists who visit the Park never miss a chance to catch a glimpse of this historic tree.
The First World War continued over a span of four years from August 1914 to November 1918 and many women were at the receiving end of trauma. This is because they lost their spouses and children during the war or they were left disfigured. Approximately 3-4 Million of women were widowed in the aftermath of the First World War. Millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives during this event.
A photo of this Peace Tree was exhibited in Hiroshima in view of the 50 year commemoration of the Second World War. What is special about this photograph is that it was taken by a Sri Lankan. The proud owner of this photograph is Shelton Hettiarachchi, a journalist at Lankadeepa newspaper.
There were 17 individuals from Nuwara Eliya who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and their names have been imprinted at the war memorial inside Victoria Park. Perhaps this could have been another reason for Mrs. Wedderburn to plant the Peace Tree at this Park.
The names of veterans who had sacrificed their lives during 1914-1918 include N. P Blake, L. Boswell, W. Cage, A. L Charmers, J. L Charmers, C. C Hunter, R. Clarke, A. Harley, F. Home-Renton, D. I Lyall, E. B Miller Starlin, C. F Pereira, S. O. L Pereira, S. F. K. P Pitts, W. J Sandys Thomas, L. S. L Thornton and B. A Wallis Wilson.
The park management indicates that even though British tourists visit the Peace Tree and War Memorial whenever they visit the Park, local visitors are unaware of these two historic monuments and their significance.
| The name of fallen veterans on the war memorial |