EIGHTY years after the start of the Second World War, Downpatrick paid its tribute to the fallen on Sunday.
There was a smaller than usual turn-out for the annual Remembrance Sunday commemoration, with perhaps the previous day’s atrocious weather and a forbidding forecast of more wind and rain to come on Sunday evening putting off people from attending.
In time-honoured tradition Legion members, ex-service personnel, representatives of the PSNI and Girls’ Brigade members gathered at The Mall for the parade to the cenotaph in New Bridge Street.
Clergy taking part were the Very Rev, Henry Hull, Dean of Down, Rev Capt Scott McDonald, rector of Down Parish Church, Rev Owen Patterson, minister of Downpatrick Presbyterian Church, Rev Dr David Steers, minister of Downpatrick Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Rev Thomas Clarke, representing the Methodist Church, and Fr Maurice Henry.
The opening hymn, O God Our Help in Ages Past, was followed by a ure reading from the Book of Micah.
Binyon’s Lines were read from the steps of the cenotaph by Mr Andy Campbell, chairman of Downpatrick Royal British Legion branch, after which the standards were lowered and The Last Post was sounded by a bugler from Dunmore Silver Band.
Following a minute’s silence Reveille was sounded and the wreath-laying ceremony began.
Mr Campbell laid a wreath on behalf of the Legion, escorted by Mr Philip Colmer and Mr Leslie Clydesdale, while Mr Jim Smyth laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Air Force Association, accompanied by Mr David Rose.
A wreath on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council was laid by the council vice-chairman, Cllr Terry Andrews, who was accompanied by Cllr Michael Savage, who is the SDLP’s South Down candidate in next month’s Westminster election.
Mr David Riddell laid a wreath on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, while a wreath on behalf of the PSNI was laid by Sergeant Sam Ballard, who was accompanied by Constable Paul Stewart.
Mr Jim Cochrane, escorted by his cousin, Eamon Kelly, laid a wreath in memory of his uncle, UDR Private James Cochrane, who was murdered in an IRA landmine attack outside Castlewellan in January 1980.
Mr David Moreland, escorted by his sister, Mrs Gwen Orr, laid a wreath in memory of his brother, UDR Private John Moreland, who was murdered as he delivered coal in Downpatrick in December 1988.
The Downpatrick Baptist Girls’ Brigade wreath was laid by Farrah Stevenson, who was escorted by Christie Steele and Holly Edgar.
Mrs Anne Rickard, escorted by Mrs Geraldine Gray, laid a wreath on behalf of Downpatrick Women’s Institute.
The prayers were led by Dr Steers and were followed by the hymn, Abide With Me. The blessing was given by Fr Henry.
Following the National Anthem, the commemoration ended with a parade past the cenotaph. The parade marshal was Mr Sammy Daye.