Large crowds attend act of remembrance

Large crowds attend act of remembrance

12 November 2025

EARLY morning rain cleared away for the sun to break through and herald one of the warmest autumnal days in recent years for the annual Remembrance Service in Killyleagh.

A large crowd gathered at the top of High Street — which was bathed in sunshine — for the town’s annual cross-community act of remembrance on Sunday afternoon.

The poignant service in front of the town’s historic castle was led by the Fr Derek Kearney from St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church and he was joined by the Church of Ireland’s Rev Eben Grobbelaar and Rev Jonathan Boyd from the town’s Presbyterian Church.

The young and old gathered side by side in reverence for the solemn occasion to remember all those who paid the supreme sacrifice during two world wars and other conflicts, with many lining the parade route before gathering at the top of the town for the wreath-laying ceremony.

The parade, led by Wellington Memorial Silver Band, made its way from the harbour to the top of High Street and featured representatives from the Killyleagh and Killinchy Royal British Legion branch and the organisation’s long serving standard bearer, David Hanna.

Representatives from local youth organisations and the Army Cadets also formed part of the parade which included family members who lost loved ones in battle.

The parade marshal was Mr Ivan Forsythe.

Following the short walk from the harbour to the war memorial in unseasonably warm conditions, the short religious service was conducted by the clergy.

They were joined ahead of the reflective wreath-laying ceremony by Killyleagh and Killinchy Royal British Legion branch members and other ex-servicemen for the short religious ceremony.

In addition to the Wellington Memorial Silver Band, musical accompaniment was provided by pipers and a drummer from Hollymount Pipe Band.

Mr Billy Croskery, chairman of the Killyleagh and Killinchy Royal British Legion branch, recited Binyon’s Lines, in memory of those who died in the great wars, with the two minutes’ silence observed impeccably.

Mr Croskery also recited the Kohima Epitaph —“When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”

Killyleagh’s annual act of remembrance remains a solemn occasion for many people, especially those whose relatives served during the two world wars and other conflicts, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Sunday’s service remembered all those who laid down their lives for others with many reflecting all those who died 107 years after the guns fell silent on the western front in November 1918 to mark the end of the First World War.

Heads bowed in prayer in memory of those who laid down their lives in war in the cause of freedom, justice and peace.

Killyleagh lost many people to the horrors of war with the names of those who perished adorning the town’s War Memorial at the side of the town’s castle where the wreaths were laid.

Wreaths were laid by the following:

Killyleagh and Killinchy Royal British Legion — Mr Ivan Forsythe, escorted by Billy Croskery.

UDR Regimental Association — Deborah Walker, escorted Andrew Gregge.

Burma Star Association — Terry Andrews, escorted by Billy Croskery.

Killyleagh Girls’ Brigade — Emily Jess, escorted by Rosie Knowles and Lily Jess.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council —Cllr Callum Bowsie, escorted by Cllr Terry Andrews.

Killyleagh Integrated Primary School —Jack Graham, escorted by Ruby Spratt and Mr Matthew McFerran.

Royal Navy — Mrs Roberta Johnston laid a wreath of behalf of Samuel Rutherford Morrison RN escorted by her son Ben.

Army Cadets — Ella Williams, escorted by Ryan McCullough and Maisie Harris.

Toye LOL 1077 — Robert Jess, escorted by Cuan Sullivan and Willis Marshall.

St John’s Church Youth Club —Adam Jess, escorted by Katie-Lee Jess and Isla Dunlop.

William Savage Memorial Flute Band — David Irwin, escorted by Warren McAllister.

Killyleagh Apprentice Boys —Ralph Meneely escorted by Johnny Wilkinson.

Mr Austin Cheevers laid a wreath on behalf of a number of his relatives killed in the First and Second World Wars, while Mrs Janet Redmonds laid a wreath on behalf of her brother, James Hughes, who was killed during the Falklands war, and was escorted by Mrs Elinor Moore.

Mrs Suzie Carberry laid a wreath 

on behalf of her uncles William and Edward Walker and was escorted by Izzie Hagan.

Representatives from Killyleagh True Blues Masonic Loge laid a wreath, with one also laid on behalf of the PSNI.

Following the outdoor ceremony, the parade made its way to Killyleagh Parish Church for a cross-community service led by the Rev Grobbelaar.