LOUGHRIES LOL 1948 THE GREAT WAR AND ITS LEGACY

Through our long-established partnership with Castle Gardens CHAPTER THREE Primary School, , this Great War artwork was produced as part of the history project in July 2015. Loughries Men Remembered At the commencement of the Great War, Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 had 18 registered members. 13 were to serve King and Country. Five were killed in action, eight were to return home, six of whom were wounded. Here are their stories.

Loughries memorial bannerette, unveiled at the Somme Museum, Conlig, Newtownards, April 2016.

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Alexander Cairnduff (Carnduff) Images: Lodge roll book, War records and cuttings from 6th Battalion the Newtownards Chronicle. Rifleman (12652)

Alexander Carnduff was born around 1894/5 and lived at 40 George’s Street Newtownards, the eldest child of Joseph and Mary, who had five more children: William, Grace, Samuel, Mary and Malcolm.

Alexander married Mary (Minnie) Mawhinney on 8 August 1903 in First Presbyterian Church in Newtownards and his occupation was a quarry labourer. Their home was 22 George’s Street Newtownards and they had 4 children: Joseph, Sarah, Alexander and Grace.

Alexander joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in June 1911. It is unknown when Alexander enlisted, however he is recorded as serving with the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. On 1 August 1915 he was posted to the Balkans (Gallipoli) serving with the 10th (Irish) Regiment. The 6th (Service) Battalion was formed at Armagh in August 1914 under the command of the 31st Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division. On 2 November 1916 it was absorbed into the 5th Battalion.

Alexander was wounded on two occasions and later discharged on 3rd July 1919 (Class Z Reserve).

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Images: War records and gravestone in Dundonald Cemetery David John Keilty (image supplied by Nigel Henderson). 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Rifleman (2/10117) – Died of Wounds

David John Keilty was born on 16 March 1894 in East Street Newtownards, the only child of David John Keilty (snr) and Maggie Keilty – nee Speers. His parents had married in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards. Maggie Kielty died and his father later remarried Mary Ann Brown, on 1 May 1908 in Donaghadee. This marriage produced a daughter, Roberta, born in 1910. The family lived at 53 and later 49 East Street Newtownards.

David John Keilty (jnr) joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in 1914. His father was Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1914, having joined in January 1903.

David John Keilty (jnr), who worked as a labourer, married Agnes Browne on 25 November 1915 at St. Aiden’s Church of Ireland, Belfast. He enlisted in Newtownards with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

Rifleman David John Keilty died of his wounds – gunshot wound of head, secondary haemorrhage and heart failure - in the Military Hospital at Victoria Barracks in Belfast on 16 September 1916, aged 22. He is buried in Dundonald Cemetery (plot F6.427).

David John Keilty is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial, in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland Roll of Honour for Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church and the Belfast Book of Honour.

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David Reid Images: War records and cuttings from the Newtownards Chronicle. 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Rifleman (4/7080)

David Reid was born on 10 May 1896 in Portaferry, he was the second son born to Arthur (a gamekeeper) and Lizzie. His siblings were William, Isabella, Hugh, John and Barbara.

He enlisted with the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and then transferred into 6th (Service) Battalion – formed at Dublin in August 1914 under the command of 29th Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division, who moved to the Curragh in February 1915 until May 1915.

David was posted to the Balkans (Salonika) on 20 September 1915 with the 10th (Irish) Division. He was wounded and later discharged (Silver War Badge No. 350206) on 12 March 1918.

A report of David’s wounding appeared in the Newtownards Chronicle on 4 November 1916, under the headline ‘Newtownards Casualties’. David was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

David Reid joined Loughries Orange Lodge during 1918 – he went on to serve as Lodge Secretary. He was thought to have been residing in William Street, Newtownards.

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Images: Lodge roll book, Ulster Covenant James Armour signature, War records and cuttings from the Newtownards Chronicle. 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Rifleman No. 7/1449

James Armour was born on 25 November 1878 in the townland of Ballyrea, Newtownards, the eldest son of Hugh and Mary Armour. On 7 May 1904 he married Eliza Jane Cromie at Ballyblack Presbyterian Church. They initially lived in townland of Cunningburn and subsequently moved to 120 Greenwell Street, Newtownards. They had 3 children and James worked as a general labourer.

James joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in July 1896. There were two other Armours mentioned in the roll book, George and John, who were probably relations of James.

James signed Ulster’s Solemn League Covenant at the Town Hall, Newtownards, and his wife, Jane, signed the Ulster’s Women’s Declaration on Ulster Day Saturday 28 September 1912.

He enlisted in the Army on 12 November 1914, with the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. The 7th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles was raised at Belfast in September 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.

James Armour’s medal record reveals that he was sent to France on 21 December 1915 and discharged on 2 May 1918. His name is recorded on the Roll entitling him to the War Badge No. 407404 (wounded serviceman).

On 17 March 1917 it was reported in the Newtownards Chronicle that Rifleman James Armour had been dangerously wounded on 7 March 1917 and was at present in No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station in France.

James Armour is recorded on the Roll of Honour at Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards.

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Images: Ulster Covenant James Shields signature and War records. 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Rifleman (4/6495)

James Shields was born in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim around 1875. He joined the British Army in Belfast in January 1894, aged 19, having served for a short time in the Antrim Artillery. He was 5ft 7 ¼ tall, weighed 151 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes, and his religious denomination was stated as Church of England.

His army papers reveal that he signed up for ‘7 years with the colours and 5 years in the Reserves, or, if a man completes his 7 years’ service while beyond the seas, then for 8 years with the colours and 4 years in the Reserve’. James served at home for 1 year before being posted to the East Indies from 1895 to 1899. From mid-1899 until 1902 he served in South Africa during the Boer War. He transferred into the Army Reserve in November 1902. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal and King’s South Africa Medal.

Whilst waiting to officially transfer from regular army to the reserves hemet and married Jane Gourley in 4th Newtownards Presbyterian Church on 17 October 1902. They had a son, James Shields Jnr, born 19 October 1903. They lived initially at 6, Church Terrace, subsequently moving to 71 Movilla Street Newtownards.

James Shields signed the Ulster Covenant at the Town Hall, Newtownards, and his wife Jane signed the women’s declaration on Ulster Day 1912.

James signed up for the Army Reserves on 8 March 1912 at the age of 37 and 1 month, and was accepted into the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. He remained on standby for 5 years. It was stated that he was of very good character.

On 8 August 1917, aged 44, he enlisted again and in May 1918 was sent to France with the Royal Irish Regiment. He was transferred to the Labour Corps finally being discharged on 22 February 1919. He received the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

He was the Deputy Master of Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in 1926.

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Images: James Smyth’s grave in Belgium, family grave at Killinchy Non-Subcribing Presbyterian Church (image courtesy of Nigel Henderson), War Memorial in James Smyth First Newtownards Presbyterian Church, Lodge roll book, War records and cutting 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles from the Newtownards Chronicle. Rifleman (18/690) – Killed In Action 9 August 1916

James Smyth was born at Killinchy, Co. Down in 1892, the son of Mary Smyth.

Little is known of James other than records suggest that he lived in the Scrabo area of Newtownards with his mother.

He joined Loughries Trues Blues LOL 1948 in 1912, becoming Deputy Master in 1916.

Rifleman James Smyth enlisted with the 18th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in November 1915. It had been formed in Holywood, Co. Down, in April 1915 as a Reserve Battalion.

He was posted to France on or after 1 July 1916, with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles of the 36th (Ulster) Division. He was killed in action on 9 August 1916 by shell fire whilst holding the line in the Messines area and is buried in the Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Annexe, Belgium, grave III A 7.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal posthumously.

James Smyth (Smith) is commemorated on the First Newtownards Presbyterian Church Roll of Sacrifice and on the family headstone in Killinchy Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church graveyard.

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Images: Ulster Covenant signature, Robert James McGreechan War records, cuttings from the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Newtownards Chronicle. Photograph of Lance-Corporal 4/7605 R.J. McGreechan with his mother Mary Killed In Action 7 July 1916 (courtesy of Margaret Graham).

Robert James McGreechan was born on 16 November 1885 at Newtownards, the second eldest of nine children born to father Robert James (snr), a labourer, and Mary McGreechan, nee Johnston. The 1901 census reveals the family lived at Church Street, Newtownards. In 1911 census the family were living at 19 Ford Street Newtownards. There were a number of different spellings of the surname – Magrehan, Magreehan and McGreehan.

Robert James McGreechan (jnr) joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in October 1903 and according the roll register, he was a regular attender, although he did not take lodge office. He worked as a labourer in Dickson’s Nurseries Newtownards and he married Miss Catherine Mawhinney in First Newtownards Presbyterian Church on 11 October 1915. He signed the Ulster Covenant on Ulster Day Saturday 28th September 1912 at the Town Hall, Newtownards.

Robert enlisted in 1915 at Newtownards with the 4th Battalion RIR - (Extra Reserve) which moved on mobilisation to Holywood, with detachments going on coast defences, then moved to Carrickfergus in April 1915. He was posted to France with the 25th Division and reached the rank of Lance-Corporal.

Robert wrote home regularly, sadly in his last letter that he sent home he asked how his mother’s headaches were, sending two rows of kisses for ‘wee Minnie and wee Ellen’ – he further wrote that he had sore blisters on his feet and went on to say ‘I hope by God’s help pulling me through that I will be spared to see the old town again’. By the time the letter had arrived back home Robert James McGreechan was dead.

Robert James was killed in action on 7 July 1916, aged 30 and is commemorated on the France (Pier 15a Face 15B). He is also commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial.

Robert James McGreechan’s descendant Bobby Magreechan is a present member of Loughries True Blues LOL 1948.

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Robert Lowry Images: Lodge roll book, War records, 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles cuttings from the Newtownards Chronicle. Lance-Corporal 18,111 Killed In Action 1 July 1916

Robert Lowry was born on 28 October 1894 in the townland of Ballyalton, Killinchy. The family moved to the townland of Ballywatticock, Newtownards. Robert was the eldest of 11 children who were born to father Robert, a farm labourer, and mother Mary Elizabeth, nee McDowell, who were married on 1 December 1893 in Killinchy Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church.

Before the outbreak of the war, Robert Lowry worked as an agricultural labourer. He was a member of the Guild and Bible Class at Ballyblack Presbyterian Church, where he was also a member of the church library. Robert joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in January 1912. His father, Robert Lowry snr, and his brother William Lowry, who became lodge Treasurer in 1914, were also members of the lodge. Robert became lodge Secretary in 1914.

The Ulster Covenant was signed by Robert at Newtownards Town Hall on Ulster Day 28 September 1912. Robert was a member of the A Company of the 2nd Battalion of the North Down Regiment of the Ulster Volunteer Force. A character report stated that his ‘cheerful spirit and unselfish nature made him friends – he was kind hearted, intelligent and manly’.

Robert enlisted in September 1914 at Newtownards, becoming a member of ‘B Company’ the 13th (County Down) Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles. He was one of a contingent of 120 men who enlisted together and duly passed their medical examination. He served in the 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster Division) and was posted to France, serving as a Lance-Corporal.

The evening before the battle of the Somme Robert wrote a letter to his parents expressing his concern for those back home. Robert Lowry was posted missing in action after the first day of the Battle of the Somme. His family waited desperately to hear news, however in February 1917 their worst fears were realised. The family received official news that Robert ‘missing since 1 July, now reported killed in action, place unknown’.

He was killed in action on 1 July 1916, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France (Pier 15a Face 15B).

Robert Lowry is commemorated on Newtownards & District War Memorial and the Roll of Honour of Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards.

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Samuel Hutchinson Images: War records, cutting 11th Battalion (South Antrim Volunteers) from the Newtownards Chronicle. Royal Irish Rifles Photograph of Samuel Hutchinson Rifleman (18/946) (courtesy of the Harper family).

Samuel Hutchinson was born on 18 December 1893 at Newtownards. His father James worked as a labourer; his mother was Mary Ann Hutchinson née Paden.

Samuel also worked as a labourer and married Elizabeth McCann on 17 November 1912 at St. Mark’s Parish Church, Newtownards. They lived at a series of address including 126 Mill Street and 3 Circular Road, Newtownards.

Samuel joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in early 1911. His father James, who was lodge treasurer in 1912, and his brother John, had previously joined the Lodge in May 1909.

Samuel enlisted on 15 November 1915 in Belfast with the 18th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, which was formed at Holywood in April 1915 as a Reserve Battalion, from depot companies of 11th and 12th Battalions.

His wife died tragically on 18 July 1916, aged 28 of pneumonia, in Newtownards. He later remarried and lived at 11 Zion Place, Newtownards.

During the Battle of Langemarck in August 1917 (3rd Battle of Ypres) in Belgium, Samuel was wounded in action, receiving gunshot wounds to his neck. He returned home for a period and was later discharged onto class Z Reserve.

It was noted that his regimental conduct sheet had 1 minor transgression in October 1917 in that he remained out of army barracks after 12 midnight and was subsequently punished by the loss of 3 day’s pay.

Today, Samuel Hutchinson’s descendants Anthony, Stuart and Christopher Harper, are present members of Loughries True Blues LOL 1948.

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Images: War records and William Lowry Ulster Covenant signature. Photograph of William Lowry 1/9th (The Dunbartonshire) Battalion (courtesy of Mark Anderson). Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Private 2017

William Lowry was born on 19 June 1896 in the townland of Ballyalton, Killinchy, Co. Down. He was one of eleven children born to Robert, a farm labourer, and mother, Mary Elizabeth McDowell.

William Lowry joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in July 1909, serving as treasurer in 1914, and later, as Deputy Master of the Lodge. His younger brother Robert was also a member of the Lodge. William Lowry signed the Ulster Covenant at Newtownards Town Hall on Ulster Day 28 September 1912.

William enlisted on 27 October 1913, and was posted to France on 19 February 1915, with the 27th Division. William was wounded and was on home furlough when news came through to the Lowry family that Robert Lowry, William’s younger brother, was declared as being killed in action on 1 July 1916.

William was later discharged due to injuries sustained in battle on 13 August 1917 – subsequently the Silver War Badge was issued (224022). William was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Soon after his discharge from the army, William married Maggie Jane Boyd at St. Mark’s Parish Church on 2 January 1918, giving his profession as a discharged soldier.

William is commemorated on Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour, where he is listed as living at Wallace’s Street No. 1 (Front Deed).

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William Robert Strain Images: Lodge roll book and War records. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers Rifleman (17357)

William Strain was born in the townland of Herdstown, Donaghadee on 7 January 1889. His father Joseph was a farmer and his mother Jemima was a farmer and seamstress. His parents had a total of seven children and lived at 33, then 21 Herdstown, Ballycross, Donaghadee.

He joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in July 1909.

William joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, which had been formed in August 1914 from 82nd Brigade in 27th Division. He was posted to France on 23 March 1915 and later discharged on 10 July 1919. There is no indication that William was injured during service.

William was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Loughries Lodge records show William R. Strain joining the Lodge in July 1908, and another William R. Strain joining the Lodge in July 1909. There is no minute book for this period, only a roll book, and therefore it can only be assumed that there were two William R. Strains in the Lodge. Both were born on the outskirts of Donaghadee therefore we may assume that they were cousins. District Lodge records show that William R. Strain served as Deputy Master of Loughries Lodge in 1926.

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William Robert ‘Cully’ Bell Images: William Robert Bell’s grave in France. War records and clippings from Royal Irish Rifles the Newtownards Chronicle. Private 3/12487 Killed In Action 14 December 1914 During the research for this booklet it was established that William Robert ‘Cully’ Bell’s name was recorded William Robert Bell, known as Cully, was born in Newtownards on 28 July 1875. incorrectly on the Roll of Sacrifice in He had one brother, James, and his mother was Mary Bell. Newtownards Orange Hall.

He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5 November 1892 and served overseas for eight years. He was invalided home and discharged from the army on 22 December 1901. William Bell’s army record was immaculate and he was a first class marksman. During his service he earned the Indian Frontier medal with 2 clasps in 1895.

Following his discharge from the army he returned home to Newtownards and lived for a short time at Little Francis Street, Newtownards with his grandmother Martha O’Brien.

William joined Loughries True Blues LOL 1948 in April 1908. His brother James was also a member of the Lodge, having joined earlier in 1907. In September 1914, William re-enlisted into the army at Newtownards with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was posted to France on 8 November 1914 with the 8th Division.

William Robert Bell was killed by a German sniper on 14 December 1914. The Newtownards Chronicle reported his death in February 1915 where he was described as a ‘staunch member of LOL 1948 Newtownards, and his brethren regret the loss of a loyal member of the Institution’.

His name is on Panel 42 and 43 at France (North East) Le Touret Military Cemetery Memorial, Richebourg-l’Avoue, France.

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Images: Ulster Covenant signature, War records William Robert Strain and clippings from the Newtownards Chronicle. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Rifleman (3/6769)

William Robert Strain was born in Donaghadee on 12 May 1882. His father was William Strain, and his mother Agnes Strain née Fowles.

William, who worked as a labourer, married Annie Gilliland on 13 January 1909 in 2nd Newtownards Presbyterian Church and settled in South Street, Newtownards.

William and Annie signed the Ulster Covenant and Ulster Declaration on Ulster Day 28 September 1912, at the Town Hall, Newtownards.

Rifleman William R. Strain enlisted with the 3rd (Reserve) Division Royal Ulster Rifles and was later posted to France on 30 April 1915.

William was wounded and invalided home and, having recovered, he re-joined his Battalion in France. Later it was reported in the Newtownards Chronicle that William was reported missing since 21 March 1918. A communication had been sent to his wife Annie Strain of 45, South Street confirming that her husband William was a prisoner of war in Germany.

William Strain was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and the 1914– 15 Star (campaign medal).

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A selection of poems taken from the pages of the Newtownards Chronicle during the Great War.

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Orange activities during the war

During the war, Orange activities struggled with many members of the lodges away fighting at the front.

The County Down Grand Orange Lodge meeting which was held in Saintfield Orange Hall on 13 May 1915, passed the following resolution: ‘It was unanimously decided that owing to the war and the death of a large number of officers belonging to the Orange Order it would be unseemly to hold the usual demonstrations on 12 July, and that the anniversary be marked only by religious observance on Sunday 11 July’.

In Newtownards a united Orange and Protestant service was held, which was addressed by Rev William Wright DD, the minister of First Presbyterian Church, who said that ‘great numbers of the Orange body were on the battlefield or in preparation for it’. ‘Over the Top’, depicting the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, painted by Brian Jamison of Ballywatticock. On 12 July 1916 instead of the usual parades a five minute’s silence was held all across Ulster at noon to remember those who had fallen at the Somme.

At the 1917 annual service of Newtownards District, which was held in Regent their lips of ‘No Surrender’ … The Street Methodist Church, the Rev John Linahan of Bangor, recalled the events of first of July, already an honoured 1 July 1916. ‘At the battle of the Somme, their own young men of Ulster, mindful anniversary with Orangemen, will of their father’s deeds of long ago at Derry and the Boyne, had valiantly fought for the future assume, new glory, for the Empire and for the cause of freedom and justice … many of those who henceforth Ulster would celebrate had fallen were members of the Orange Institution’. with joy mingled with tears, the glorious deeds of valour of that Twelfth of July parades resumed in 1917 and Lord Dunleath said that ‘we have heroic band of her sons who, amid assembled once more this afternoon to celebrate the old victory of the Boyne … the hail of death, advanced, wave we desire to commemorate at the same time the glorious heroism displayed by after wave, driving before them the our Ulster Division on the 1st July 1916’. power of the German army’.

One of the resolutions at the field stated: ‘We associate with pride, in the midst In 1917 the Newtownards District of our sorrow, the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, with that of the Battle Master, Thomas R. Lavery, of Thiepval and the glorious heroism there shown by the Ulster Division on 1 requested that each lodge would July 1916’. Bro C. W. Dunbar-Buller spoke on the resolution: ‘one thing missed submit names of members serving was the younger members in the procession, many are at the war fighting bravely. or killed during the Great War Some have passed away but I am sure that those who returned to us when the war for a planned roll of honour for is over will come back keener Orangemen than ever’. the District. He confirmed that The Roll of Honour in the Memorial he would bear the cost of having Room of Newtownards Orange Hall. Newtownards District Master, T. R. Lavery, seconded the resolution, in his memorials made. It contains a number of inaccuracies. speech he said: ‘Was there to be no atonement for the slaughter at Thiepval, Thanks to the research carried out for where it is reported 7,000 of our Ulster heroes, many of them Orangemen, some this project, the actual Loughries names wearing Orange sashes, died for faith and fatherland, with the grim battle-cry on have now been confirmed.

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At the Newtownards Orange District service held at First Presbyterian Church The Ulster Tower on 7 July 1918, Bro Rev Dr Wright said: ‘The Orange Order had contributed more men to the army, according to population, than any church or organisation The Ulster Tower is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division. It is or body of men, perhaps in the United Kingdom – men who went voluntarily, located very near to the famous Schwaben Redoubt which the Division attacked able and willing to fight’. on 1 July 1916. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood which lies to the south-west of the road between the Thiepval memorial and the Ulster The Orange Arch in North Street, Newtownards, was draped in purple fringed Tower. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on 1 July were over 5,000 with black, had the inscription on one side ‘In Memory of our Ulster Heroes’ and in total, almost half of their strength. The tower is a copy of Helen’s Tower at on the other ‘No Surrender was their cry’. Clandeboye in County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained.

The 1919 District service was held on 6 July at St Mark’s Parish Church. Bro Rev L V Uprichard said: ‘It would be unforgiveable if at this service we forget to honour the memory of those gallant lads of the Ulster Division … in the years to come the heroes of the Ulster Division will be linked with those men who also fought for liberty under William of Orange’. At the Twelfth of July demonstration, held in Holywood, Lord Londonderry commented on the new banners saying that he was pleased to see them remembering the Somme.

Ex-servicemen became very frustrated when the Council could not agree to spend money on a District War Memorial and in the mid 1920’s a group of local ex-servicemen built a ‘Snow War Memorial’ in protest at the Council’s inaction.

Snow Memorial, Court Square, Newtownards, 1924. Orange Memorial, France. Ulster Tower, France.

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