Killyleagh’s Great War project is online

Killyleagh’s Great War project is online

18 June 2014

A NEW Facebook page has been launched in Killyleagh to help promote the appeal for information about the Great War.

A series of cross-community events are being staged, starting in August, to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

As part of the initiative, a Facebook page entitled Killyleagh Remembers the Great War, has been created.

It will provide information about the commemorative events as well as provide a channel for families from Killyleagh and Shrigley whose relatives volunteered to fight in the war.

The page was launched by Dave Gale, who is chairman of the Sloane History Group in the town , which has actively been researching the stories of many of the 243 men, and two women, who served. It was launched at Killyleagh Library as part of the RNIB `Make a noise in libraries fortnight’, aimed at bringing together public libraries and blind and partially sighted people to improve access to books and information.

“The aim is to collect as many stories as we can of the people who volunteered and what happened to them. Sadly over 50 did not return and lost their lives in some of the key battles of the war,’’ said Dave.

“We are looking for any family medals, memorabilia, photos or memories that people may have.

“We are grateful for those who have already shared what they have. On Friday we had a medal belonging to a Killyleagh soldier who was a member of the original Old Contemptibles and his cut-throat razor plus a digging trowel used on the Somme battlefield.’’

Among those the group is trying to track information on are two women who served, Kathleen Heron and Gwenny Moore; Patrick Massey, who was killed and whose family lived in Plantation Street; and Paddy Salmon, originally from Shrigley.

The intention is to publish an official history of Killyleagh during the Great War including the names of everyone who served, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and a series of articles about significant stories and personalities of the war.

The 100th anniversary commemoration event will open on August 2 with one of the highlights of the commemoration — a Memories, Medals and Photos Day when relatives will be asked to bring along their war medals from the Great War.