Appreciation to standard bearer as wreaths laid honouring dead

Appreciation to standard bearer as wreaths laid honouring dead

13 November 2024

SUNDAY’S remembrance commemoration in Downpatrick was marked by the end of an era.

Mr Raymond Martin carried the Royal British Legion’s standard for the final time.

Mr Martin has stepped down from the role which he performed with great dignity and dedication for 40 years.

He was given a round of applause as he took part in the parade past the cenotaph following the wreath laying ceremony.

After the commemoration he was presented with a bronze statuette of a standard bearer by Mrs Geraldine Campbell, wife of the late Mr Andy Campbell, president of the Downpatrick Royal Legion branch, who died earlier this year.

Mr Martin said he was proud to have carried the standard for so many years and was greatly honoured to succeed Mr Campbell as president.

Sunday’s commemoration was the biggest seen in the town for many years. Mr Keith Straney, branch chairman, said he was delighted to see such a large gathering and thanked everyone for their support.

A number of youth organisations took part in the parade from The Mall in English Street to the cenotaph in New Bridge Street. They were joined Legion members, ex-service personnel and representatives of the PSNI, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and other organisations, as well as relatives of loved ones who had lost their lives.

The parade marshal was Mr Jack McIlheron and the parade was led by Dunmore Silver Band.

The religious ceremony at the cenotaph was conducted by Rev Owen Patterson, Fr Maurice Henry, Rev Roderic Downer and Rev Sabrina Cooke.

Following the sounding of The Last Post, Mr Straney recited Binyon’s Lines from the steps of the cenotaph, after which there was a minute’s silence.

A total of 22 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph.

The Royal British Legion wreath was laid by Mr Stephen Strain, who was escorted by Mr Andrew Fitzpatrick and Neil Rooney.

The wreath on behalf of the Royal Air Force Association was laid by Mr Jim Smyth.

A wreath on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council was laid by the vice-chairman, Cllr David Lee-Surginor.

Other wreaths were laid by the following:

NI Fire and Rescue Service – Firefighter Kevin Hanna.

Inch Scouts – Mrs Dawn Stocking, escorted by Mr Richard Gawith.

1st Crossgar Boys’ Brigade – Alex Watson, escorted by William McCormick and Ruben Watson.

Clough Girls’ Brigade — Alanna Campbell, escorted by Rachel Blakely and Abi Straney.

Downpatrick Women’s Institute – Mrs Edwina Marr, escorted by Mrs Margaret Orr.

Ulster Unionist Party – Mr John Hanna.

DUP – Cllr Alan Lewis.

William Johnston Memorial Accordion Band: Ronnie Rooney, escorted by Matthew Edgar and Ellie Edgar.

Downpatrick Red Hand Defenders Flute Band: Max Blakely, escorted by Jack Burrows and Leslie Blakely.

A wreath in memory of UDR Private James Cochrane, who died in an IRA landmine attack outside Castlewellan in January 1980 was laid by his nephew, Mr Jim Cochrane, who was escorted by  another nephew, Mr Eamon Kelly. 

Mr David Moreland, escorted by his sister, Mrs Gwen Orr, laid a wreath in memory of their brother, UDR Private John Moreland, who was shot dead by the IRA while delivering coal in Downpatrick in December 1988.

Wreaths were also led by representatives of the PSNI, Ulster Defence Regiment Association, Royal Marines Association, Lecale District Orange Lodge, Lecale District Royal Black Chapter, Bells Hill Apprentice Boys, Down High School and Clough Chosen Few Junior Orange Lodge.