Killyleagh to mark end of battle

Killyleagh to mark end of battle

2 November 2016

THE 100th anniversary of the ending of the Battle of the Somme is to be marked in Killyleagh.

The town recently hosted a series of events to mark the centenary of the battle, including an early morning vigil timed to coincide with the exact moment the men of the 13th Royal Irish Rifles (Co. Down Volunteers) first went over the top in July 1916.

Now a poignant ceremony is to be held later this month to mark the end of the battle.

“The family of William Samuel Montgomery have given permission for a short act of remembrance at his grave in the town’s 1st Presbyterian graveyard,” explained Chris Hagan from the Killyleagh Remembers the Great War group.

“We are extending an invitation to people from across the community in Down District to join us — people with an interest in the Somme, people with an interest in paying tribute to those who died in the Great War or those who have a connection with the RBL.

“This is a unique ceremony as few of those wounded at the Somme were brought back to Ireland for burial.’’

Montgomery, from Ballymacromwell, at the Toye outside Killyleagh, had enlisted on Boxing Day 1915, worried that he would not get to the Western front in time. He died from wounds sustained on the Somme battlefield when serving with the 16th RIR (Co. Down Pioneers). 

His death in a Sheffield hospital coincided with the actual day the Battle of  the Somme ended. His body was brought home to Killyleagh for burial.

The act of remembrance at 12 noon on Friday, November 18, will involve members of the Royal British Legion laying a wreath at the grave. There will be a short walk from the front of the church to the grave, which is marked with a Commonwealth War Graves headstone.

The act of remembrance will be conducted by the Presbyterian minister, Rev. Hiram Higgins, and the Church of Ireland rector, Rev. Colin Darling.

For the first time in 100 years, since the day of his burial, Last Post and Reveille will be sounded at his grave. 

In his last letter home, Lance Corporal Montgomery had told his sister:

“Dear Sister, Just a line hoping it will find you all well. I am still keeping on the better side and am able to walk about 30 yards with the aid of a stick. My wound is beginning to heal up and nurse says a fortnight will make it a deal better. She also told me I had recovered from the pneumonia. I don’t suppose you knew I had that complaint but really I have been very ill. 

“I am breaking my neck for a good drink of buttermilk but it can’t be got here. I wonder could you send me a pint anyway, the sourer it would be the better.

“I would also like a little bread, not that I don’t get enough but I am longing for a change. About as much as would make a good tightener for a healthy man will be abundance, say one small piece of soda, one potato oaten, one slim, one wheaten. Please don’t put any currants in as I don’t think they agree with me. If you can at all please send this little lot, the buttermilk anyhow and I will be obliged to you forever.

“I will draw to a close and excuse me for so much trouble but I want you to do your best and try and send the milk. I will say goodbye and best love to all, hoping baby is well.

Lance Corporal William Montgomery, Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield.

Sadly it was to be his last letter to his sister. An  operation, 10 days later on, November 17, proved fatal.

The Down Recorder of November 1916 records: “Business houses were temporarily closed and the blinds of private houses drawn on Monday, on the occasion of the funeral of Corporal William Samuel Montgomery to the Meeting-house green. The remains were brought home on Saturday and a funeral party of riflemen from Newtownards attended on Monday. Owing to the indisposition of Rev. W J Brown, rector, the service was conducted by Rev. J R McCleery, himself bereaved by the war. When the concluding prayers were said, three volleys were fired and the bugler sounded the `Last Post.’