THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Memorial service held for fallen captain

A memorial service was held at St Patrick’s in Ballymena to remember Captain Robert Clifford Orr this week in 1915.

He had been a member of the 3rd Battalion Somersetshire Light Infantry, captain of the Ballymena Company of the Church Lads Brigade and adjutant of the 1st Battalion North Antrim Regiment of the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The service was conducted by the Reverend Canon Ross, BD, and the Rev Mr Brown.

An impressive address was delivered by the Rev Canon Ross, reported the News Letter.

He said: “Captain Orr died at the head of his men as we would have expected him to have done. What Captain Orr did hundreds of others have done since the war began. With all our sorrow mingles a just pride in these men who have shown themselves worthy of the great traditions of our race. One after another in every condition of hardship, of danger, and honour they took their place to do what courage and endurance might accomplish and we should remember that the truest memorial that we can make to such men is to imitate their spirit.”

He added: “Whether they were placed at home or at the front, whether in a quiet day’s work or in the high places of the field, let us remember that they were not wanting in the hour of their country’s need.”