Young and old attend largest service in area

Young and old attend largest service in area

14 November 2018

IT was a day when young and old came together to mark this year’s Remembrance Sunday in Ballynahinch.

For the hundreds of people who turned out for this community show of respect at the town’s annual wreath-laying ceremony, the sombre mood was heightened as it fell 100 years to the day since the Armistice was signed at 11am on November 11, 1918.

The Armistice brought an end to the Great War and the huge loss of young men’s lives on all sides.

For many of those gathered, they were remembering relatives who lost their lives in that war.

But other families turned out to pay their respects for those lost in World War Two and other wars at home and abroad in the 100 years since.

Thirty-seven wreaths were laid at the cenotaph by members of the local armed services, representatives of youth organisations and the emergency services as well as private family members.

Drum major Stephen Dickson led Baillies Mills Accordian Band from Windmill Street car park up to the war memorial in the Diamond on a crisp and clear autumn afternoon.

Canon Warren Russell, rector of Magheradroll Parish Church, gave the Bidding and offered prayer while Fr Brian Brown, of St Patrick’s Church, also offered a prayer and later gave the Benediction.

Reflecting on the 100th anniversary of ending of the Great War, Canon Russell spoke of a time “when a world and lives were changed forever” after the initial euphoria of the prospect of peace passed.

He added: “We pray today for those who continue to serve in our armed forces and to pray that in the power of God’s spirit we may serve him in the pursuit of peace and his heavenly kingdom.”

After the opening hymn, ‘O God, Our Help in Ages Past’, Dr Fred Byrne, chairman of Ballynahinch Royal British Legion branch, pronounced the Extortion and later laid a wreath on behalf of the branch.

Mr Michel Richer, vice-chairman of the Ballynahinch RBL, raised and lowered the Union flag.

Then the large crowd fell silent for a two minute silence after buglers Andrew Carlisle and Stephen played the Reveille as four standard bearers raised and lowered their flags.

As 13-year-old piper Jack Perry, from the Harry Ferguson Memorial Pipe Band, played, the first wreath was laid by the Queen’s representative, Mr Barry Fitzsimmons, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Co Down, who was escorted by Dr Byrne and Army Cadet Corporal Charlotte Spratt.

Dr Byrne laid the wreath on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

Mrs Margaret Cochrane of the RBL Women’s Branch was next to lay a wreath and was accompanied by fellow members, Mrs Molly Koscielny and her daughter, Mrs Petala Wood-side. 

Mr Michel Richer laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Councillor Robert Burgess laid a wreath on behalf of the UUP while the DUP was represented by Cllr Garth Craig and South Down MLA Jim Wells, who both laid wreaths.

Constable Phil Quinn laid a wreath on behalf of the PSNI while Firefighter Mark Brown laid a wreath on behalf of the NI Fire and Rescue Service.

The chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Cllr Mark Murin, laid a wreath on behalf of the council.

Remembering the sacrifice which animals also made in both wars was Amanda Wallace, who laid a purple poppy wreath on behalf of the Irish Donkey Society. 

Mr Francis Casement laid a wreath on behalf of parishioners from St Patrick’s, Ballynahinch, St Colman’s, Dunmore, and Christ the King, Drumaness.

Worshipful Master Graham Wilson along with Andrew Martin and Jeff Cole laid a wreath on behalf of the Ballynahinch Masonic Lodges.

A wreath was laid on behalf of Ballynahinch Masonic Lodge.

The following youth organisations laid wreaths:

First Ballynahinch Brownies — Macy Ferguson, accompanied by Holly Stockman and Chloe Magowan

First Ballynahinch Girl Guides — Ciara Rivas-Kelly, accompanied by Hope Kennedy and Leah Duffin

First Ballynahinch Scout Group — Dylan McNally, accompanied by Max Magowan (Cubs) and Timothy Irvine (Beavers)

Army Cadet Force Ballynahinch (2nd NI Battalion ACF Ballynahinch detachment) — Cadet Sergeant Ben Curran, accompanied by Cadet Corporal Jake Nixon.

First Spa Boys’ Brigade — by Jake Pyper, accompanied by Bobby-Jo Forker; Ballynahinch Congregational Girls’ Brigade — Leah Nesbitt, accompanied by Charli Peak and Megan Hunter

Edengrove Girls’ Brigade — Amy Smyth, accompanied by Lucy Griffiths and Martha Burtney

Second Ballynahinch Boys’ Brigade — Jonathan Shannon, accompanied by Jacob Crawford and Jake Hamilton

RAF Air Cadets — Cadet Warrant Officer Andrew Ruddell, accompanied by Sergeant William Orr and Sergeant James Patterson

Magherahamlet Girls’ Brigade — Amy Stephenson, accompanied by Katie Stephenson and Eva Baxter

Wreaths were laid in memory of UDR soldiers Corporal David Brown and Private Robert William Hill

Helen McVeigh and her father, Leslie Gilmore, laid a wreath on behalf of Lance Corporal George Gilmore, who was killed in action in 1945, while RUC Constable Hugh David George Hawthorne was remembered by his parents and brothers. 

After all the wreaths were laid, Baillies Mills and Spa Accordian Bands led the parade for a service at Ballynahinch First Presbyterian Church.

Ballynahinch’s remembrance activities concluded by taking part in the nationwide ‘Battle’s O’er’ event in Market Square at 6.45pm.

Names of the Fallen were read by Dr Byrne, Cllr Mark Murnin, Ruby Carlisle from Ballynahinch and Carson Rooney from Clough.

At 6.55pm, Andrew Carlisle and Stephen Wilson sounded The Last Post in unison with 1,000 other buglers across the UK.

Five minutes later, NIFR Watch Commander Stephen Barr lit the Beacon of Light, kindly supplied by Drumcaw Steele, while the bells were rung out for peace at the three different locations — by Zak Fletcher at Magheradroll Parish Church, Francis Casement at St Patrick’s Church, and Bill McKinsty at Montalto estate. 

John Cartwright was one of 100 town criers throughout the UK who delivered the Cry for Peace Around the World at 7.05pm, drawing the day of remembrance to a close.