A COMMEMORATIVE service for the last American casualty of the War of 1812, Midshipman Richard Sutherland Dale, will take place in St. George’s next Thursday.Midshipman Dale died in St. George’s after being wounded off New York in the battle between the super frigate, USS President <$>and HMS Endyn<$>, which was baked by a blockading squadron.

Midshipman Dale and 54 others who were wounded were brought to Bermuda and cared for by the people of St. George’s.

However, due to the severity of his injuries, midshipman Dale died and was buried in St. Peter’s in February 1815.

His parents, having heard about the kindness shown to their son, had a handsome tombstone erected, telling the story of his bravery and untimely death at the age of 20.

A special memorial service was held every year by the Americans in Bermuda until the bases closed.

Reverend W. David Raths said last year the Friends of St. Peter’s Church decided to breathe new life into this tradition.

The daughter of a Bermudian who served in the US Navy, Louise Hall Reider from the US, will be a guest speaker at next Thursday’s commemorative service, which starts at 6 p.m. outside the former Stennet’s Hotel, now the Bank of Butterfield.

Midshipman Dale was cared for at the Stennet Hotel until he died.

The Band of the Bermuda Regiment, accompanied by the TS Admiral Sos <$>Sea Cadets, will lead the procession to St. Peter’s Church.

Midshipman Dale’s tomb is believed to be the oldest grave of a US serviceman.