As the commemoration of the start of the Great War got under way across Northern Ireland, author Philip Orr helped launch the local event in Down.
The Killyleagh-born historian gave the opening lecture at a four month long series of community events to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
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Down District Council Chairman Cllr William Walker with a death penny from his namesake William Walker from World War One, and event organiser Chris Hagan.[/caption]
He took part in a ‘Memories, Medals and Photo Day‘ at the Lecture Hall on Saturday when relatives were asked to bring along their war medals from the Great War.
The exhibition was officially opened by the chairman of Down Council, Billy Walker, who praised the organisers and community groups involved in putting on the programme of events which includes lectures, exhibitions, an art exhibition and an educational day for the young people of the town.
Mr Walker said: “I would like to congratulate the Heritage Lottery Fund for its vision in funding events to commemorate the anniversary across Northern Ireland. The Killyleagh events were among the best across the country.
“It is important that we honour those who served especially in the Great War, so many having served from our own area. Many did not return. And 100 years on families still cherish special memories, medals, letters and momentoes of their loved ones now al gone”
Chris Hagan, Killyleagh World War One centenary event organiser, said: “On display was the DCM awarded to Killyleagh soldier James Morrison, while the relatives of Thomas ‘TA’ Andrews brought his Military Medal to the exhibition. The family of Pikestone man Robert Breen also brought along the Military Medal he received for his bravery going into no-man’s-land as a stretcher bearer.
CHECK OUT THE SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM THE KILLYEAGH CELEBRATIONS
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Denys Rowan-Hamilton with Sarah Rowan-Hamilton from Killyleagh Castle had the honour of lighting the special candle to commemorate the start of World War One.[/caption]
“There were more than thirty sets of medals on display with eight separate `Death Pennies’ awarded to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“There has been tremendous support across the community for a programme to mark the outbreak of the war. The programme was been shaped by suggestions made by community groups, history groups and by townspeople. With the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund we were looking at how we can pass on the story to the next generation.
“The aim was to acknowledge the sacrifice of the 242 men and two women from the Killyleagh and Shrigley areas who served in the Great War. A total of 22 per cent did not return home, a truly shocking statistic.
“The sacrifice made by the community of St Mary’s Catholic Church, where 33 per cent of all those who served, came from, is also being recognised in our efforts to develop a deeper understanding of the war.
“On Sunday and Monday afternoons, war walking history trails of the town and war memorial were held.
“As part of the project, plans are progressing to publish the research carried out by the Sloane History Group over the past decade, documenting the sacrifice of all those who died. This will be augmented by telling some of the remarkable stories of men from Killyleagh and Shrigley who joined up to fight in the war on land and at sea.”
Ann Fee of the Sloane History Group explained: “We are delighted with those who have shared photos and family stories from the war, We are keen to hear from anyone whose father, grandfather or great uncle from the Killyleagh and Shrigley areas who served in the war, or was killed.
“The commemorative events continues in September with a war walking history trail, lectures by Eamon Phoenix, Philip Orr and John Potter plus a night of Voices of the Great War in St John’s Church on Friday 17th October.”
At the Monday evening event, nine times world champion piper Richard Parkes MBE, Pipe Major with the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, played the laments. And Killyleagh RBL chairman Billy Croskery read the moving and famous Binyon’s Lines (see below), which captured the mood of the war, and resonates today. Master of ceremonies for the event was Chris Hagan.
CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK IMAGES ON THIS LINK TO THE KILLYEAGH CELEBRATIONS
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Remember The Sacrifice And Courage In World War One Says Shannon
As the First World War Centenary was commemorated unfolded across County Down, Jim Shannon MP for Strangford called of everyone “to recall the amazing sacrifice and the courage of those who gave their lives in the First World War. Right here in the Ards, we remember that the 36th Ulster Division trained and prepared at Helen’s Tower before continuing their journey onward to the fields of Europe, and ultimately to the Somme Battlefield.
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Jim Shannon MP, second right, attended the Killyleagh celebration.[/caption]
“The commemoration started in Bangor on 3rd August with the Drumhead Service and Veterans Parade, a wonderful turnout. It was particularly pleasing to see so many children and young people there supporting and participating in these services. We cannot underestimate the importance of teaching our children about history, and remembering the sacrifices that so many gave to ensure that we have the freedoms we enjoy today. Then on Monday (4th August) my duties took me to Killyleagh for a special service bringing us together for a respectful service at the war memorial at Killyleagh Castle where a number of battlefield crosses were be laid by families who had loved ones who fought in the war, some never to return.
Cadets, members from every Church and the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Billy Walker, along with other councillors were in attendance. After Killyleagh, I attended a service at Glastry Presbyterian Church where along with other dignitaries, we remembered with thankful hearts, the huge contribution of those who fought from the locality.
“Not only did we remember those brave men who were willing to lay down their lives so that we could have a tomorrow, but we also recalled the actions and contributions of women during the War. While men went to war to fight, women from all over the country began to fill the traditional roles and jobs that their husbands and fathers had had before the war began. Just 2,000 women had been employed in government dockyards, factories and arsenals in July 1914, but by November 1918, this figure had risen to 247,000. The number of women employed in the transport industry increased by 555% to roughly 100,000 overall. There were at least an extra one million women formally added to the British workforce between 1914 and 1918.
“As the centenary of the First World War took place, we cast our minds back to 1914 when thousands of young men, in their prime joined up, fought and died in the fields of France and Belgium. The bravery and courage with which these men fought was undeniable, and it lives on through the words of Captain Wilfred Spender when on 2nd July 1916, he said: “I am not an Ulsterman but yesterday, the 1st July, as I followed their amazing attack, I felt I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the world”.
“Together the people across Ards lot candles for those who have gone before, the ‘light out’ campaign have given so many the chance to participate… the simple act of switching off a light and remembering was a poignant and powerful tribute.”
‘Binyon’s Lines’
For the Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon – 1914. With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England’s foam. But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain, As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.
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