Remembrance parades held in Irvinestown and Fivemiletown
Two County venues hosted annual Royal British Legion Remembrance parades, with ceremonies in Irvinestown and Fivemiletown.
In Irvinestown, the parade was led by Drumharvey Pipe Band under the command of Brian Johnston. It included Irvinestown Royal British Legion chairman William Irvine, branch members, representatives of the UDR Association, Royal Irish Regiment Association, Ulster Special Constabulary Association, PSNI and former service personnel.
The procession stopped at Irvinestown Chapel to remember airmen who died during the Second World War while stationed at Castle Archdale air base. A wreath was laid at the graves by Kenny Armstrong, accompanied by William Irvine and Sam Armstrong of Irvinestown RBL, Air Marshal Alan Gillespie of the RAF, an RAF cadet, and Ray Hall and Declan McHugh of the RAF Association.
The parade continued to the Cross of Sacrifice at Derryvullen North Parish Church, where a salute was taken by Viscount Brookeborough, Lord-Lieutenant for County Fermanagh. Wreaths were laid by Viscount Brookeborough, accompanied by William Irvine, and by Alison Annan, High Sheriff for County Fermanagh. Other wreaths were laid by Councillor John McClaughery for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, representatives of the US, Canadian and New Zealand consulates, and members of the RAF, Royal Dragoon Guards, UDR Association, Royal Irish Regiment Association, Ulster Special Constabulary Association, RAF Association and PSNI. Army and RAF cadets, Irvinestown Primary School and Devenish College also laid wreaths, with Devenish College Head Girl Ellie and Head Boy Ben laying one on behalf of staff and students.
The service included Canon Skuce, Reverend Gunther Andrich, Jonathan Simpson and Father McGourty. Reverend Andrich delivered the sermon. The Act of Remembrance was conducted by Jim Morton and David Robinson, poems were read by Katie McLaughlin and Joshua Wadesworth, and Viscount Brookeborough and Air Marshal Gillespie delivered readings. Derryvullen North Church Choir performed.
In Fivemiletown, the parade began at 2.50pm at the Community War Memorial. More than 50 veterans, along with Church Lads, Girls' Friendly Society members and cadets, took part. Precentor Hanlon opened the ceremony with a prayer before wreaths were laid by Fivemiletown Royal British Legion, Regimental Associations, the PSNI, community and youth groups, schools and families. Matthew Browne played a lament on the pipes. Branch chairman Robert Carson led the exhortation, Noel Trimble of Murley Band sounded the Last Post, followed by two minutes' silence. After Reveille, the Kohima Epitaph was recited and Rev Jackie Whittle of Fivemiletown Methodist Church delivered a closing prayer.
At 3pm the parade set off under the command of Iain Lendrum BEM, led by Irvine Memorial Pipe Band. A limousine provided by Marcus Madill Funeral Director enabled seven veterans unable to march due to age or illness to take part. The parade stopped at the site where Constables Drew Beacom and Ernie Smith were murdered, and Andrew Beacom laid a wreath in memory of both former Royal Ulster Constabulary members. The parade continued to St John's Church of Ireland for a remembrance service. The salute was taken by Deputy Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone and Branch President James Hamilton Stubber, alongside Major (Retd) Jack Dunlop. The afternoon concluded with a gathering in the Legion hall.