WWI ending to be remembered in Killyleagh

WWI ending to be remembered in Killyleagh

20 June 2018

KILLYLEAGH is preparing to become one of the focal points for the Battle’s Over commemoration and celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

Funding has been secured for a programme of events to mark the moment the guns finally fell silent after four years of the world at war.

The Killyleagh Remembers the Great War project has secured funding under the European peace programme for a series of events running from the end of July until November 11.

“We are grateful to councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews who have helped us secure funding for a meaningful commemoration of what was a key moment in history,’’ said a spokesman for the group.

“We will light one of the 1,300 World War One Beacons of Light which will be lit throughout the UK at 7pm at the end of Remembrance Sunday, on Sunday, November 11.

“We are keen to open this to all towns and villages throughout Down district to take part, especially in towns 

which will not be staging a commemoration.

“There were two bonfires lit in Killyleagh on the night the war ended in 1918. One hundred years on we are hoping to light a gas beacon to mark the guns finally falling silent.”

The group revealed that the original town candle and lantern, lit by the late Lt Col Denys Rowan-Hamilton in 2014 on the 100th anniversary of the start of the war, will be used as part of a chain to light the beacon.

“We have put out an appeal out for 10 local 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 from Shrigley to Killyleagh, and through the main streets of the town that night, the spokesman added.’’

It is hoped the relay will end with the last surviving Second World War veteran still living in the town, Martin `Tina’ Charters, being accompanied by two local schoolchildren to light the lantern.

The group has nominated its own two community heroes, Mrs Ann Fee and Miss Zena McAllister, to represent Killyleagh at the national day of commemoration at Westminster Abbey on November 11.

Their names have been entered into a draw organised by the Heritage Lottery Fund to find representatives from projects across the UK to make the trip to London.

The first event planned by the group is a free bus trip to Dublin on Friday, July 27. This will include a visit to Grangegorman cemetery to visit graves associated with the Great War. Places are free and anyone interested should contact Mr Billy Croskery, Mrs Ann Fee or Mr Austin Cheevers.

Other events planned by the group include talks by historian Mr Philip Orr and Mrs Carol Walker of the Somme Museum, a guided walk, an art exhibition in August and a night of music and war writings in November.

It is hoped to have an official launch of the programme later this summer.