WWI Killyleagh Veteran To Lead Lantern Walk

Martin `Tina’ Charters, who is aged 97 and who survived more than 40 bombing missions as a rear gunner in Halifax and Lancaster bombers in the Second World War, will light the Beacon of Light in his home town of Killyleagh to mark the moment the guns finally fell silent in 1918 after four years of the world at war.

The lantern will be carried from Shrigley to Killyleagh, and through its main streets, and Mr Charters will use a candle from the lantern to light the gas beacon at the front of Killyleagh Castle on Remembrance night.

The Bomber Command veteran who still walks up to six miles a day and is one of Killyleagh’s most instantly recognisable residents, will be joined in the final relay of the cross-community walk by local schoolchildren, and 12 unsung heroes from the local community on a walk in which the lantern is carried in a relay chain.

The Killyleagh beacon of light will be among the first of around 20 bonfires and beacons to be lit across Northern Ireland at 7pm at the end of Remembrance Sunday, as part of the Battle’s Over commemorations on Sunday 11 November.

Specially nominated unsung community heroes are to carry the lantern in a relay from the village of Shrigley to Killyleagh and through the main streets of the village before Mr Charters lights the beacon at Killyleagh Castle.

“We extinguished a candle lantern in August 2014 to mark 100 years on from the beginning of the war. In remembrance of the end of the war and the millions who were killed or came home dreadfully wounded, the lantern will be lit again.

“We put out an appeal out for 12 unsung heroes, who have made a contribution to community life in Killyleagh or Shrigley, to take part in a relay in which the lantern is carried one mile from Shrigley to Killyleagh, and we were overwhelmed with the response.

“We are also delighted that Sam Osborne, who served 24 years as a councillor on Down District Council, will start the relay in Shrigley by carrying the lantern along with the current Newry Mourne and Down Council chairman.”

The unsung heroes nominated by the community to carry the lantern include former district nurse Mrs Marianne Ruddell whose family have a long connection to health care in the town, Mrs Myrtle McIlveen of Killyleagh Community Shop which raises funds for charitable causes and the developing world, Mrs Lorna Hagen-McCormick for her work in promoting suicide awareness, Mrs Jean Clydesdale, a community carer who has not missed a day on duty in 40 years and Mrs Sally Ryan for her work helping cancer patients.

The other nominees include Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, Deputy Lord Lieutenant who has continued his father’s work through the community association, Mr Bob Pirie, who runs the Poppy Appeal in Killyleagh and Mr Duxy Leahy for his good samaritan gestures in the town.

Also nominated are Mrs Sharon Bridges for her work in raising the profile of mental awareness and eating disorders following the tragic death of her daughter Sophie and Councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews for their hands across the divide community leadership example.

The youngest participant will be Zac Gordon, a nine year-old with two prosthetic limbs. He will represent St Mary’s Primary School and will be joined by a pupil from Killyleagh Integrated Primary School on the final stage of the relay when they accompany Mr Charters to light the beacon.