Ballynahinch falls silent in recognition of war dead

Ballynahinch falls silent in recognition of war dead

13 November 2019

AS Ballynahinch fell silent on Sunday afternoon at the town’s annual Act of Remembrance, one little girl had thoughts of a great grandfather she never knew.

Eleven year-old Naomi McVeigh joined with her grandfather and Ballynahinch native, Leslie Gilmore, to lay a wreath to honour Lance Corporal George Gilmore.

The local solider from the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards was killed in action in February 1945.

It was just one example of how the past and present overlapped in this time-honoured act of remembrance which saw 35 wreaths laid.

Young and old gathered at 2.45pm on a crisp, clear day at the town’s War Memorial to remember those dear to them who were lost in the Great War of 1914-19 and the Second World War of 1939-1945, along with those killed more recently in the Troubles.

The crowd that turned out was slighter lower in numbers than at last year’s event which marked the 100th anniversary of the ending of the Great War.

The event started with a short parade from Windmill Street car park led by Ballies Mills Accordion Band, Spa Accordion Band, Ballylone Concert Flute Band and Hollymount Pipe Band to the cenotaph in Main Street.

Those walking included local British Legion members, ex-service personnel, representatives of the PSNI, NI Fire and Rescue service and members of local youth organisations.

Rev Alan Craig, from Ballynahinch Methodist Church, conducted the short religious service which was followed by Dr Fred Byrne, chairman of Ballynahinch RBL, reciting the famous Binyon’s Lines in honour of those who died in both wars.

As Michel Reacher, vice chairman of Ballynahinch RBL, lowered the Union flag, Leo Ridley and Geoff Parke lowered their standards with the Last Post was sounded out by buglers Andrew Carlisle and Stephen Wilson. 

Following a two minutes’ silence, the Reveille was sounded out.

Dr Byrne also recited the Kohima Epitaph and piper Sam Gill from Hollymount Pipe Band played the last notes of the day.

The Queen’s representative, the Deputy Lieutenant Duncan McCausland, escorted by Army Cadet Corporal Charlotte Spratt, laid the first wreath.

This was followed by Dr Byrne on behalf of the RBL and then Mrs Kathleen Lyons, escorted by Mrs Joan Smyth and Mrs Daphne Shilliday, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Women’s Branch of the RBL.

Former Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt, joined with Rowallane councillor William Burgess and John Reid to lay a wreath on their party’s Strangford Division.

A purple Poppy wreath was laid by Mrs Trish Gilmore in remembrance of all the animals killed in the conflict.

Francis Casement from Ballynahinch laid a wreath in honour of his great grandfather, John McManus, from the Royal Irish Rifles, who died on September 9, 2016, while a wreath was laid for Sergeant Matthew Thomas Harper from the 135h Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, who died in Flanders on November 23, 1917.

Two families of men who served in the Ulster Defence Regiment also laid wreaths — brothers Alan and Nigel Barrett honoured their brother-in-law Private Robert Hill. 

Richard Brown was there to honour his father, Corporal Brian Brown QGM, while Chloe Chadwick laid a purple wreath to honour her grandfather’s dog, Oliver, who died alongside Corp Brown in May 25, 1986.

A wreath was also laid in remembrance of Sergeant Matthew Thomas Harper, 13th Battalion of Royal Irish Rifles, who died in Flanders on November 23, 1917 

Violent and Hugh Hawthorne laid a wreath on behalf of their son, former RUC member Hugh David George Hawthorne who died in 1983.

Other organisations and individuals who laid wreaths included the following:

Royal Canadian Navy (Michel Richer).

Down Police Service of Northern Ireland (Suzanne Cochrane, escorted by Lisa Stevenson)

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Ballynahinch (Pat Hutchinson escorted by Stephen Ward).

St John’s Ambulance Service (Margaret Browne).

2nd Battalion Army Cadet Force, Ballynahinch detachment (Corporal Elise Robinson, escorted by Sergeant Jake Nixon and Corporal Charlie Taylor).

Ballynahinch Squadron, Air Training Cadets (Flight Sergeant William Orr escorted by Jonathan Irvine).

1st Ballynahinch Scout Group (Ben Spiers, Max Creanie and Jack Connolly).

157th Ballynahinch Congregational Girls’ Brigade (Grace Smiley, escorted by Carys Graham and  Reanna Steelson). 

Magherahamlet Girls’ Brigade (Kayla Ramsey, escorted by Jessica Stranney and Lucy Rodgers) 

Rowallane DUP Strangford Association (Harry Harvey MLA).

Ballynahinch Masonic Lodge 301 (Worshipful Master Andrew Martin, escorted by Geoff Cole).

112th Edengrove Presbyterian Girls’ Brigade (Erin Nelson, escorted by Leah Houston and Faye Griffiths).

Representatives from 1st Spa Company, Boys’ Brigade, 1st Ballynahinch Girl Guide Unit and 1st Ballynahinch Brownies also laid wreaths.

The commemoration was followed by a service at Magheradroll Parish Church. 

Armistice Day on Monday was marked by a short service at Ballynahinch War Memorial.

Ballynahinch RBL collected its highest ever amount for the Poppy Appeal, £17,385.53, at the end of October and would like to thank the public for its generosity.