Autumn sun as town pays its tribute

Autumn sun as town pays its tribute

12 November 2025

BALLYNAHINCH was bathed in autumnal sunshine as the town paid its tribute to the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts on Sunday afternoon.

Among the many people in attendance was the Lord Lieutenant of Co Down, Mr Gawn Rowan-Hamilton, who was accompanied by Army Cadet Company Sergeant Major Zara Dowell.

Royal British Legion members and ex-service personnel were joined by representatives of the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, youth organisations and political representatives in the parade from Windmill Street car park to the war memorial in Main Street.

The parade was led by Ballylone Concert Flute Band, Baillies Mills Accordion Band and Spa Accordion Band.

The parade marshal was Mr Geoffrey Parke and the parade commander was Mr Paddy Shields.

The service at the war memorial was conducted by the Rev Leah McKibben, Fr Brian Brown and Rev Anna Williams.

As the Last Post was sounded by buglers Stephen Wilson and Andrew Carlisle, the Union flag and Legion standard were lowered by Mr Mike Richer, vice-chairman of the Ballynahinch Royal British Legion branch, and Mr Paul Bickell respectively.

Mr Rowan-Hamilton laid the first wreath and was followed by Dr Fred Byrne, president of Ballynahinch RBL, who laid a wreath on behalf of the branch and the people of Ballynahinch.

Mr Richer laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Canadian Navy, while Mr David Hughes laid a wreath on behalf of HMS Hibernia and the Royal Navy.

 A wreath on behalf of the PSNI was laid by Sgt Suzanne Cochrane.

A wreath of behalf of the NI Fire and Rescue Service was laid by Firefighter Paul Hutchinson, who was escorted by Crew Commander Gary Fitzpatrick.

Mr Leslie Gilmore laid a wreath in memory of his father, Lance Corporal George Gilmore, 3rd Battalion Irish Guards, who was killed in action on February 21, 1945.

Mr Ewen Smillie and Mr Andrew Carlisle laid a wreath in memory of Matthew Harper, who served with the Royal Irish Rifles.

Mr Richard Brown laid a wreath in memory of his father, UDR Corporal Brian Brown, who was killed by an IRA bomb in 1986, and Christopher Brown laid a purple wreath in memory of Corporal Brown’s dog, Oliver, who was also killed in the explosion.

Alan Barrett and Nigel Barrett, on behalf of the Hill family, laid a wreath in memory of UDR Private Robert Hill, who was killed Drumaness in 1986.

Mr Colin Patterson and Rev Leslie Patterson laid a wreath in memory of Robert William Patterson

Mr Hugh Hawthrone and his wife, Violet, laid a wreath in memory of their son, RUC Constable Hugh David George Hawthorne died in 1983.

A cross was laid on behalf of Mr William McCord in memory of Pte William McCord, 9th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was just 19 when he was killed in action on March 29, 1918.

A cross was also laid by David Campbell in memory of his grandfather, Sgt Stanley Brown, who served in the Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Wreaths were also laid by the following:

Newry, Mourne and Down Council — Cllr Jonny Jackson.

DUP – Mr Harry Harvey MLA and Lewis Harvey.

Alliance Party: Cllr David Lee-Surginor.

UUP – Mr Mike Nesbitt and Mr Robert Burgess.

Spa Women’s Institute – Linda Dornan, president, escorted by Lillian Crompton and Ruby Hunter.

Ballynahinch Masonic Lodge 301  – Robert Montgomery and Martin Philps.

Lisburn Sea Cadets – Sophia Cafolla, Arthur Donnan and Lewis.

Ballynahinch Army Cadets – Cadet Lance Corporal Kyle Murphy and Cadet Corporal Emma Healey.

Ballynahinch RAF Cadets – Sgt Mark Stanford, Corporal Jake Wilson and Cadet Ruby Smyth.

Edengrove Presbyterian Girls’ Brigade – Mollie Wilson, Lily Wilson and Evie Scott.

2nd Ballynahinch Boys’ Brigade – Matty Courtney, Aaron Murray and Peter Quinn

Ballynahinch Congregational Girls’ Brigade – Scarlett Smith, Darcey Massey and Georgia Burns.

Magherahamlet GB – Alexandra Kelly, Jessica Cherry and Amy Spiers.

Wreaths were also laid by representatives of 1st Spa Boys’ Brigade and First Ballynahinch Guides and Rangers.