Tributes paid to the fallen with poignant acts of remembrance in Newtownabbey

Memorial services were held at Whiteabbey War Memorial on November 8.

This year’s events, which were scaled back due to the Covid-19 pandemic, took place at memorials across the borough, including in Ballyclare, Ballynure and Whiteabbey.

Following a service at Ballyclare War Memorial Park, a spokesperson for the Ballyclare Royal British Legion (RBL) branch said: “The Officers of Ballyclare RBL would like to thank everyone who came along and made our wreath laying ceremony possible in these difficult times.

“Thank you to Rev Jonny Campbell-Smyth for the short service and prayers.

Members of Cloughfern District LOL 24 staged an Act of Rememberance at Whiteabbey War Memorial.

“Thank you to Deputy Lord Leuitenant of County Antrim, Mr Edward Montgomery, to the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery, South Antrim MP Paul Girvan, local MLAs and all our wreath layers for coming.

“Everyone abided by the law and the ceremony and the wreath laying went perfectly in a very dignified manner. “We would also like to thank the public for adhering to the social distancing rules and last, but certainly not least, thank you to the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council staff for their work in preparing the cenotaph and the park for today’s ceremony.”

Memorial services were also held on Sunday at Whiteabbey War Memorial.

Commenting on social media after the RBL events at 11am and noon, a spokesperson for Whiteabbey Royal British Legion Club Limited said: “These truly are exceptional times we are experiencing, but it was great to see some old and new faces at the sevice.

A socially-distanced memorial service was held in Ballynure.

“Hopefully next year we will be back to our usual parade and service and these events will be consigned to the dustbin of history.”

Meanwhile, civic buildings across Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough were lit up red to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

Detailing the initiative, a spokesperson for the local government authority said: “Mossley Mill, Antrim Civic Centre and Ballyclare Town Hall were lit up in red to honour Remembrance Sunday, in tribute to those who have sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom.”

The Mayor, Cllr Jim Montgomery, pictured with veterans in Ballyclare.

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