Somme Memorial Hall

14/05/2017

09/05/2017

08/05/2017

Victory in Europe ...

25/04/2017

ANZAC Day Australia New Zealand

NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

31/03/2017

A century ago the Canadian Corps was training and preparing extensively for the upcoming Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was an impressive Canadian victory during the First World War, but our soldiers’ success there was a result of more than simply great bravery. The Canadian Corps took the time to plan and prepare for the attack for months in advance. Indeed, models of the battlefield were even constructed behind the Allied lines to give the Canadians a chance to familiarize themselves with the terrain upon which they would be fighting and what their objectives would be during the battle. Pictured is a scale model of German frontline trenches that was prepared in advance of a later Allied attack on the Western Front that took place in 1918. Photo: Library and Archives Canada

More information: http://ow.ly/sHOS30alvtw

31/03/2017

31st March 1917 Northern Whig (24th inst.)

ORANGE LODGE MEETING IN FRANCE,
Young Citizens' L.O.L. No 871.

A meeting of the above Lodge was held in France on the 16th inst.-Bro. George Uprichard., W.M., presiding. After the meeting was declared open the members proceeded to elect officers in place of those who were made casualties since the last meeting. The following officers were elected :-

Deputy master, C.Q.M.S. John Kenning;
Secretary, Bro. Lieutenant .Thomas Hudson Mayes;
Treasurer, Bro. Sergeant David Minnis;
Members of committee, Bro. Lance-Corporal Burns (foreman), Bro. William Condell, and Bro. C.S.M. John Nevin.

Bro. Corporal Agnew was admitted on certificate from L.O.L. 428, Star of Down. Congratulatory messages were ordered to be sent to Bros. Captain Percy Beale Lewis, M.C., and Sergeant Hugh Woods Neely, D.C.M., and votes of condolence were passed to the relatives of Bros. C.S.M. James Scott and Rifleman. Samuel Boyd, killed in action. The Treasurer reported the finances of the Lodge in a flourishing condition. and after several names had been proposed for membership the meeting stood adjourned until the following week.

Image of LOL 862 in 1919 prior to the Ulster Division disbanded. Sadly there is no photographs of LOL 871 that I am aware of.

27/03/2017

Canada’s victory at Vimy was used to spur people on the home front to buy Victory Bonds to support the war effort

Helping the Allies to victory in the First World War would take more than sending Canadian soldiers to the front lines to fight. Our society was asked to contribute and sacrifice on the home front, too. Victory Bonds to raise money to help the government fund the war effort were one way this was done, and our military successes in battles like Vimy Ridge were used to promote these fund raising efforts. Pictured is a First World War Victory Bond poster based on a well-known photo of jubilant Canadians returning from the front lines near Vimy. Image: Library and Archive Canada

More information: http://ow.ly/P3BH30ajeqz

13/03/2017

It's Happy Commonwealth Day from the Somme Memorial Hall

06/03/2017

Learn about the major ceremony in France that saw the Canadian National Vimy Memorial first unveiled in 1936

The official dedication ceremony for the Canadian National Vimy Memorial was held in France on July 26, 1936. It was a very special event and tens of thousands of people were there to see King Edward VIII offer a moving speech and unveil the majestic monument. The crowd included many dignitaries, armed forces members, local residents as well as thousands of Canadian Veterans and their families who had made the long trip overseas. Pictured is a view of the Vimy Memorial and part of the huge crowd present that day. Photo: Library and Archives Canada

More information: http://ow.ly/xPiQ309CR0z

26/01/2017

Randalstown Hall found,

An Ulster Scots community group treasurer has branded a claim that its Randalstown premises “does not exist” a “deliberate attack” on his community.

25/01/2017

Really worth a listen
RTE Late Late show & Willie Mcbride, Green Fields of France

Finbar Furey and Aslan's Christy Dignam with a stunning performance "Green Fields of France". Watch The Late Late Show live and on-demand from anyw...

24/01/2017

The story behind the Poppy