The final casualty of the War of 1812 was remembered in a ceremony in St George’s this weekend almost 200 years after his death.

The annual Midshipman Dale ceremony, held on Saturday, marked the 199th anniversary of the American sailor’s death in St George’s.

Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale was on-board the USS President, which was seized by British ships in January of 1815. Despite being an enemy prisoner, the people of St George’s cared for the injured sailor until he died on February 22, 1815 — five days after the US ratified the Treaty of Ghent, formally ending the war.

His father, Commodore Richard Dale, later visited the Island to share his gratitude with the people who helped his dying son. He arranged a tombstone to be placed, reading: “To Commemorate the Gallant Deeds of the People of St George’s whose Generosity and tender sympathy prompted the kindest attention to him while living and honoured him when dead.”

The first Midshipman Dale Ceremony took place in 1932, organised by Captain Scarritt Adams, the first man from Bermuda to graduate from the US Naval Academy and serve as a Midshipman in the US Navy.

Edward Morgan Dale, the great, great grandnephew of Midshipman Dale took part in the ceremony, laying a wreath on his relative’s grave.

He was joined by the grandsons of Louise Hall Reider, the daughter of Captain Adams, Governor George Fergusson, US Consul General Robert Settje and St George’s Mayor Garth Rothwell.

Following the graveside service, a fund-raising dinner was held at Griffin’s restaurant in the St George’s Club, attended by members and supporters of The Friends of St Peter’s Church.