Old comrades Mr. Tommy McIlveen from
Carrickfergus, Mr. Tommy Dickson from Belfast and Mr. Len Larham from
Carrickfergus, met up at the service
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from Bangor Spectator...
It was a time to reflect and talk about old times when veterans of the
Burma Star were honoured in Bangor. More than 30 members of the
Northern Ireland branch, proudly wearing their medals, were welcomed to
the town hall on Saturday by a piper before joining members of North Down
council to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the
association. The Burma Star Medal was awarded to military personnel
who served in Burma during World War Two.
Councillor Austen Lennon, whose father James is
a veteran, said, "Sadly, the men and women who served in Burma were
known as the 'Forgotten Army' I am delighted that the council has
played its part in recognising and remembering all the brave men and
women who served in this horrific theatre of war." The
Northern Ireland branch is one of 48 around the world, it's members came
mostly from the 8th Heavy ACC Regiment which was formed in Belfast.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
No. 14 6th April 2002 This is
to Certify that on the 6th day of April 2002 The Burma Star Association
were elected and admitted as Freemen of the Borough of Newtownabbey, signed
'Slim' James M. Ferguson, M.B.E. Honorary Secretary - signed
'Vera McWilliam, Alderman Mrs. Mayor and signed 'Hu
Kelly' Mr. Hugh Kelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is one banner you were unlikely to see being
swung in the Twelfth parades in Belfast. The chances are that a
few of the men standing proudly beneath were out in their sashes and
regalia. Above is a detail of a snap of 81 Orangemen, all members of the
8th Belfast Heavy Ack-Ack Regiment, who celebrated the day at Ranchi in
India in 1944. Survivors say the banner was brought home to
Ulster, where is it now?
It is in storage in Belfast under
the control of the Orange Order, we are trying to get permission to
photograph it but so far have been met with disdain, this banner was
made in India by the Indians out of all sorts of bits and pieces but
after a parade in Belfast when the men of the 8th Belfast HAA returned
home it was taken into storage, my father has tried in the past to get
access to it but was told it was the property of the Orange Order and
that it would stay in storage indefinitely
If you can help us to get access to this banner could you please email
me at meems@marylennon.co.uk
.... Mary
further
photos here
|