100 years on – Commemorating the Somme
The nation is preparing to mark 100 years since the Battle of the Somme – one of the deadliest battles in British History which began on 1 July 1916.
Relatives, politicians and members of the Royal Family will attend a series of commemorative events in France this week remembering more than one million men on both sides who were killed or wounded.
Chaplain
One of our Church Army Captains, George Newell, will act as chaplain to a large group making a journey of Somme Remembrance between 29 June and 3 July.
100 plus are travelling from Northern Ireland and will be joined by others from Scotland and Liverpool.
George will conduct 9 short services of Remembrance as the group visit 7 cemeteries along with the Ulster Tower, the Menin Gate and Thiepval Memorial.
In the diocese many parishes are holding services of commemoration or remembrance. Here are just some of the dates and times:
Down Cathedral – Thursday 30 June at 7.30 pm. A short cross–community prayer vigil to remember all who died in that year from every part of this island.
Christ Church Kilkeel – Friday 1 July at 6.45 pm – “Lest we forget.” A Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme.
Holywood – Friday 1 July at 7.00 pm. A Commemoration of the Somme
Donaghcloney – Friday 1 July at 7.20 am. A short British Legion service at the war memorial.
Mount Merrion, Cregagh – Sunday 3 July at 10.30 am. A special Somme Remembrance Service which will be attended by the local branch of the Royal British Legion. The legion will parade to and from the church.
St Finnian’s, Cregagh – Sunday 3 July, at 11.00 am. A Commemoration of the Somme
Seagoe Parish – Sunday 3 July at 7.00 pm. A Service of Remembrance for the Somme
Donaghmore Parish Church – Sunday 3 July at 3.00 pm. Orange Order Somme Memorial Service.
St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast – Sunday 3 July at 3.00 pm. A Service to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Broadcast
On Wednesday 29 June at 9.00 pm, BBC NI broadcast Voices 16 – Somme. The documentary featured eye–witness testimonies from the foot soldier to the cleric, the commander to the politician whilst one hundred years on, descendants of these soldiers relive their relatives’ experiences.
Our Diocesan Communications Officer, Annette McGrath, took part in the programme in which her grandfather, Jack Christie, a stretcher–bearer, was featured.
Pictured above: A visit to trenches at the site of the Christmas truce, near Ypres. Photo courtesy of The Church of Ireland.