Book reveals story of Killyleagh’s WW1 heroes

Book reveals story of Killyleagh’s WW1 heroes

10 June 2015

A NEW book detailing the story of the men from Killyleagh and Shrigley who marched off to war has been launched in the town.

Killyleagh-born historian Philip Orr, who wrote the introduction, and local MP, Jim Shannon, launched the book at an event in the Bridge Centre on Monday night.

Produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War, the book lists the names of the 242 men and two women who signed up to serve in 1914.

Mr Orr said at a time when there is a renewed focus on the First World War, the book is an important contribution to people’s collective understanding of events. He congratulated those behind the Killyleagh Remembers the Great War project.

Mr Shannon said that having taken part in two of the major events of the Killyleagh project including the cross-community event to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the war, in August last year, he was delighted to be back in the town for such an auspicious event. He said the book contains many of the remarkable stories of the men who had gone to war and made the ultimate sacrifice, particularly at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Mr Tony McCusker, of the Heritage Lottery Fund, told the audience at the book launch that they were delighted to help fund the overall Killyleagh War project. He praised the range of the events and the efforts by the organisers to make events inclusive for all sections and age groups in the local community.

The final speaker at the event was Mrs Ann Fee of the Sloane Local History Group. She explained the background to the research by the group and said the inspiration for it was local businessman Mr Martin McCloy who annually decorated the window of his picture-framing business in honour of the men and women of Killyleagh and district who served.

“Many a child received its first history lesson on the pavement in front of his shop during the month of November,’’ said Mrs Fee.

The group, at the instigation of Mrs Elsie Berner, then tried to put a face to the 51 men named on the war memorial and as part of the Killyleagh project, has been collecting and gathering information on the stories of the men of Killyleagh. Mrs Fee said that search for information continues.

As a token of thanks, Mrs Fee presented the first copy of the book to the late Mr McCloy’s son, William. She also made a special presentation to the designer of the book Mr Thomas Johnston.

The MC for the night was Mr Chris Hagan who picked out 10 of the highlights of the free programme of events which opened on August 2, 2014, with a Medals and Memories Day and included war walking heritage trails, five lectures and a Voices of the Great War evening featuring poetry and drama readings, and a special workshop for young people in which they experienced life in the trenches.

He said free copies of the book are being distributed to local primary schools to engender interest among the next generation in the war.

The book has been produced by the Sloane History Group and Best of Killyleagh group, with funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and printed by Mr Clive Scoular. 

It is available at a cost of £5 from Beth Barrett Newsagents, and Spar supermarket/garage in Killyleagh.