For Buncrana man Patrick McLaughlin, the tragedy has become part of his own family's story.

"My father Thomas worked for the emergency services at the time. As it happens, he was on the pier when Laurentic docked in Buncrana. My father always told us that he heard the Admiral tell the captain to get back out to sea straightaway, as she was a naval vessel and had no business being in port.

"My father heard the explosion during the night, and went out at first light. But, there had been a desperate black frost that night, and the sailors were all dead in the lifeboats. He managed to get to the ship and board her before she went under. He took this bit of a beam and we've kept it all these years."

The significance of the loss to Canada, was marked by the presence of the country's Ambassador to Ireland, Patrick Binns, the Naval Attaché Norman Jolan, who travelled over from London, and a special delegation from Newfoundland, were on hand to pay tribute to their many countrymen who perished at sea on that cold January night.

Newfoundlandman Donny McNeill, who has made Buncrana his home for more than a decade, has been working behind the scenes for the last few years to make the event a reality.

And even though Donny experienced a profound personal tragedy last week, with the tragic death of his close friend Paudie Taylor, he was determined to see the memorial ceremony through.

"I believe this occasion marks a very important first step towards Inishowen and Derry developing very close and mutually beneficial links with the Newfoundland region of Canada," he said on Saturday.

"People here may not realise it, but the historic and cultural ties between the two areas are incredibly extensive. There is amazing potential for this to help us both benefit, economically and in terms of tourism, apart from giving us a chance to learn a lot about our own history."

Potential

The presence of Barry Snow, Executive Director of the Newfoundland-based Ireland Business Partnerships, and Kirsty Clarke of the Ireland-Newfoundland Partnership, gave clear evidence that such potential exists.

The moving ceremony, which was held at the memorial grave in the small cemetery behind the Church of Ireland at Fahan, was well attended by hundreds of local people. Members of the the Royal Naval Association, Derry branch, formed a guard of honour.

John McCarter, chairperson of the Inishowen Development Partnership and a member of the Ulster Newfoundland Initiative, formally opened the ecumenical ceremony with a few simple words of welcome.

Canon Sam Barton then quoted Laurence Binyon: "They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

Fr Neil McGoldrick then blessed the souls buried there and all the victims of war.

After a moment's silence, Donny McNeil recited the Roll of Honour.