Ards and North Down Borough Council will host a special event to remember and pay tribute to Victoria Cross recipient Edward Barry Stewart Bingham (or Barry as he was known). Barry who was born and lived in what is now the Town Hall in Bangor, will be honoured by the unveiling of a memorial stone and historical plaque at the castle.
The event will take place on Wednesday 1 June, the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, which was the most significant naval battle of the First World War. It was for valour at the Battle of Jutland that Barry received the Victoria Cross.
Jutland’s only afloat survivor, HMS Caroline will open to the public as a visitor attraction on Tuesday 31 May which will further enable the public to understand and appreciate the contribution of the ‘Irish Sailor’ in the Great War. Bangor will continue the commemorations by honouring this local man. Barry’s Grandsons will be present at the event which will see a flotilla arrive at the Eisenhower Pier in Bangor. Dignitaries will then make their way to Bangor Castle for the official ceremony.
North Down Borough Council purchased Barry’s Victoria Cross when it came up for auction at Sothebys. Thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding the Victoria Cross is back on display in a new gallery in North Down Museum after a period of ten years in the museum stores. The gallery explores Barry’s life and his and other local men’s experiences of the Great War. This new gallery will open on 1 June.
