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by JULIEANN SPENCE
The Lisburn Branch of the Royal Irish Rangers
Old Comrades Association thank the manager of the Flanders Hotel
for his hospitality.
THE Royal Irish Rangers Old Comrades
Association (Lisburn) recently returned from a visit to the war
graves in Belgium.
The group made the journey part of their
Regimental 40th Anniversary commemorations. to pay tribute to
those who math the ultimate sacrifice.
They were also joined by special guest Tommy
Bell, who travelled with the Association in the hope of finding
the grave of his grandfather Sergeant T Davidson, who died on
July 15, 1916, and buried at Caudry Old Communal Cemetery.
Mr Bell was delighted to be able to pay
tribute to his grandfather and took the opportunity to lay a
cross on the grave.
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Jim Spence laid a wreath at Menin
Gate on behalf or the Royal Irish Rangers Old
Comrades Association (Lisburn). |
Sergeant T Davidson, grandfather of
Lisburn man Tommy Bell. US2608- WW1 Soldier |
During their time in Belgium al the beginning
of June the Lisburn group visited the Ulster Tower, Thiepval
Memorial and took a tour of the recently excavated trenches in
Thiepval Wood, Sergeant Jim Spence also laid wreath at Menin
Gate to pay tribute to those who gave then lives during the war.
Speaking after the visit MI Spence said
everyone had beer very moved by the journey.
"The whole experience was very educational
and emotional," he said. "We were particularly moved by the
visit to Tyne Col Cemetery, where there are 38,00C British
graves. The cemetery beautifully kept and the grave are in
immaculate order. It is a real credit to the War Graves
Commission," he added.
Mr Spence also expressed the Association's
thanks to Lisburn City Council, who provided a financial
contribution towards the visit. "We would like to thank everyone
who helped and supported us in raising money for this important
visit," concluded Mr Spence. "It really made everyone appreciate
the sacrifice that was made so that we can live in
julieann.spence@jpress.co.uk
Ulster Star
27/06/2008
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