Impressive turnouts at Brookeborough and Fivemiletown Remembrance parades

Head Boy Alfie Lyons and Head Girl Kacey Leigh McClure lay a wreath on behalf of Fivemiletown College. SU7146CD26 | TC

placeholder image — Head Boy Alfie Lyons and Head Girl Kacey Leigh McClure lay a wreath on behalf of Fivemiletown College. SU7146CD26 | TC

The Annual Brookeborough Remembrance parade took place on Sunday on a bright autumnal morning.

Stanley Coulter enjoys his first Remembrance Service with his granddaughter Harpur Rose. SU7246CD26 | TC

A large contingent of veterans formed up at Fivemiletown Community War Memorial. SU7346CD26 | TC

Some of the young members of Irvine Memorial Pipe Band. SU7446CD26 | TC

Precentor Hanlen and Rev Jackie Whittle lead the service at the War Memorial. SU7546CD26 | TC

Members of Fivemiletown Primary School lay a wreath. SU7646CD26 | TC

Donna Harron and Kenny Dunlop lay wreaths on behalf of the Regimental Association of the Royal Irish Regt and the Lisnaskea Branch of the UDR Association. SU7746CD26 | TC

Under the command of parade commander Iain Lendrum and led by Maguiresbridge Silver band the parade made it way to the town’s War Memorial. The parade consisted of a large number of veterans and the local GFS. Wreaths were led on behalf of the Brooke family, Royal British Legion, UDR Assoc, Royal Irish Assoc and the PSNI.

There were also wreaths laid by the GFS and political parties. The last post and reveille was sounded as the two minute silence was observed by the large crowd prior to the parade returning down the main street where a salute was taken by Hon Christopher Brooke, Jack Dunlop and a member of the PSNI.

Fivemiletown Royal British Legion hosted its Annual Remembrance Parade on what was a glorious Sunday afternoon. The parade itself consisted of over 50 veterans and a large contingent of Church Lads, GFS and Cadets taking part. The members and youth groups formed up at the Community War Memorial at 2.50pm to observe the Act of Remembrance.

Precentor Hanlon opened proceedings in prayer followed by the laying of wreaths. FMT RBL, a variety of Regimental Associations, PSNI, Community/ Youth Groups, Schools and families all laid wreaths at the Memorial while Matthew Browne played a lament on the pipes. The exhortation was led by Mr Robert Carson, Branch Chairman. Noel Trimble of Murley Band played the Last Post which was followed by 2 minutes silence. After Reveille the Kohima Epitaph was recited and a closing prayer was read by Rev Jackie Whittle from Fivemiletown Methodist Church.

At 3pm the large parade set off under the command of Iain Lendrum BEM and led by

Irvine Memorial Pipe Band. Following the parade this year was a limousine for seven veterans who were unable to march due to age/illness. The limousine was supplied by Marcus Madill Funeral Director and was much appreciated by those who used it. The parade made it’s way along the main street watched by one of the largest crowds for many years.

It stopped at the site of the murder of Const Drew Beacom and Const Ernie Smith. A wreath was laid by Andrew Beacom in memory of both members of the RUC. The parade then proceeded along the bypass to St John’s Church of Ireland where the church was filled to capacity for the service.

After the service the parade made it way back to the Royal British Legion hall with the salute taken by Deputy Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone and Branch President James Hamilton Stubber and Maj (Retd) Jack Dunlop. The large crowd then gathered in the hall for tea and sandwiches provided by the RBL Branch.