Somme 100th Anniversary Celebrated In Newcastle

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On Sunday 16 October, Newry Mourne and Down District Council held a Commemorative Service outside Newcastle Centre to acknowledge the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

Standard Bearer Andrew McRoberts, Pipe Major Gareth O'Brien, Bessbrook PIpe Band, Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Councillor Gillian Ftizpatrick, Bugler George McKee, Kilkeel Silver Band, and Liam Hannaway, Chief Executive of Newry Mourne and Down District Council at the War Memorial in Newcastle where the Centenary Commemorative Service and laying of wreaths took place in remembrance of the Battle of the Somme 1916.
Standard Bearer Andrew McRoberts, Pipe Major Gareth O’Brien, Bessbrook PIpe Band, Chairperson Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Councillor Gillian Ftizpatrick, Bugler George McKee, Kilkeel Silver Band, and Liam Hannaway, Chief Executive of Newry Mourne and Down District Council at the War Memorial in Newcastle where the Centenary Commemorative Service and laying of wreaths took place in remembrance of the Battle of the Somme 1916.

Organised as part of the Council’s wider Decade of Centenaries 2016 Programme, Mr Liam Hannaway, Council Chief Executive welcomed everyone to the reflective service.

The service, which included an opening prayer from Canon Ian Ellis, poetry reading from the Council Chairperson, a historical talk delivered by Dr Robert Whan, and lament played by Pipe Major Gareth O’Brien, concluded with a formal act of remembrance conducted by Mr Brian Hagan, Number 7 Group Vice Chairperson, Royal British Legion.

The last post and reveille was played by bugler George McKee Kilkeel Silver Band at the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Battle of the Somme Centenary Commemorative Service in Newcastle.
The last post and reveille was played by bugler George McKee Kilkeel Silver Band at the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Battle of the Somme Centenary Commemorative Service in Newcastle.

Following the laying of wreaths at the Newcastle War Memorial by the Chairperson, political parties and Mr George Brashaw, Number 7 Group President of the Royal British Legion, and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick, expressed thanks and appreciation to everyone who had attended and participated in the service.

Members of the Royal British Legion attended from across the district from Kilkeel to Rathfriland.

At the Somme commemoration were Eddie Chambers, Rathfriland RBL Branch, Denis McKee and Charlie Marno the Vice Chair of the G7 area RBL,
At the Somme commemoration were Eddie Chambers, Rathfriland RBL Branch, Denis McKee and Charlie Marno the Vice Chair of the G7 area RBL,
Newry Mourne and Down District Councillors pictured at the Somme commoration event in Newcastle.
Newry Mourne and Down District Councillors pictured at the Somme commoration event in Newcastle.

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