Fallen heroes remembered in Killyleagh

Fallen heroes remembered in Killyleagh

13 November 2019

ON the eve of the 101st anniversary of the First World War, Killyleagh fell silent last Sunday afternoon for the town’s annual Act of Remembrance.

Among those laying wreaths was one of the province’s few remaining World War Two veterans, Martin Charters. Now aged 98, he led a wreath of behalf of Bomber Command. 

Known to everyone in his home town of Killyleagh as ‘Tina”, Mr Charters flew nearly 40 missions during the Second World War, many of them as a rear gunner in Lancaster Bombers which played a pivotal role in the Allies victory over the German forces.

Newly co-opted Rowallane councillor Kathryn Owen, who replaced the DUP’s Harry Harvey, laid a wreath on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and was escorted by Cllr Billy Walker.

A crowd comprising the young and the old to remember those who died in two world wars and other conflicts braved bitterly cold conditions to gather at the town’s war memorial at the top of High Street for the moving ceremony which saw 18 wreaths laid.

There was a sombre atmosphere during Killyleagh’s annual act of remembrance held in autumnal conditions, with bright rays of sunshine battling to break through heavy overhead clouds.

The open air commemoration was followed by a service at St John’s Parish Church conducted by the Rev Colin Darling.

The short religious service at the top of High Street in front of Killyleagh Castle was conducted by the Rev Colin Darling who was joined by Fr Brendan Smyth, who is in charge of St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Killyleagh and St Joseph’s Church in Crossgar.

As is the tradition, parade participants gathered at the harbour area for the short march to the town’s cenotaph at Killyleagh Castle, with participants led by Wellington Memorial Silver Band.

The procession from the harbour included standard bearers from the Royal British Legion’s Killyleagh and Killinchy branch, the UDR Regimental Association and representatives from other organisations including youth organisations based in the town.

The parade made its way to the top of High Street for the act of remembrance and short religious ceremony to remember the dead and injured of world wars, other conflicts across the globe, with men and women sacrificing their lives in the service of others. 

Senior officials form the Killyleagh and Killinchy Royal British Legion branch took part in the short ceremony with Binyon’s Lines — in memory of those  who died in the great wars — recited by the organisation’s chairman, Billy Croskery. The following two minutes’ silence was also impeccably observed.

Mr Croskery also recited the Kohima Epitaph —“When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Co Down, Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, who joined clergy in the shadow of the castle for the religious ceremony, laid a wreath and was escorted to the cenotaph by Mr Croskery.

Wreaths were laid by the following:

Killyleagh and Killinchy Royal British Legion — Billy Croskery, escorted by Bob Pirie.

UDR Regimental Association — Andrew Gregg, escorted by Oliver McCullough.

PSNI - Constable David Wilson.

Bomber Command — Martin Charters, escorted by Mrs Suzie Carberry.

Killyleagh Girls’ Brigade — Amy McAllister, escorted by  Jorga Moucka and Chloe Magowan.

Army Cadets —  Colour Sergeant Nathan McCausland, escorted by Colour Sergeant Major Matthew Crichton and Sergeant Alan McGuckian.

Royal Navy — Ben Johnston, escorted by his father Jeffrey.

Killyleagh Integrated Primary School — Brooke Fitzpatrick, escorted Maxwell Carlile.

St John’s Church Youth Group —  Amy Rooney, escorted by Ellie Mae Carson and Olivia Russell.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council — Cllr Kathryn Owen, escorted by Cllr Billy Walker.

Toye LOL No 77 — Terry Murphy, escorted by Brian Osborne and Cuan Sullivan.

Killyleagh Apprentice Boys —  Stephen Cheevers, escorted by Nigel Heaney and Johnny Wilkinson.

William Savage Memorial Flute Band —Warren McCallister, escorted by Marcus Sullivan.

Mrs Janet Redmonds laid a wreath on behalf of her brother, James Hughes, who was killed during the Falklands War.

Mrs Suzie Carberry laid laid a wreath in memory of her uncles William and Robert Walker, while

Mr Austin Cheevers laid a wreath in memory of relatives who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

A wreath was also laid on behalf of 2 Rifles.