Somme remembrance trip for UDR branch

The group started their pilgrimage in Arras, where at the Citadel - a 17th century fortress, 218 civilian executions were carried out by the Nazis during the Second World War.

The party also visited Puchevillers Cemetery, Pozieres and Grommecourt No2 Cemetery, before moving on to Beaumont Hamel and the Newfoundland Memorial Park, where the Newfoundland Regiment suffered horrendous casualties.

Members of the branch also visited the Hindenberg Line, the last defensive line before the break out, and Richueval Bridge, where the North Staffords and the Engineers crossed the Canal, in September 1918.

Finally on their way back to Arras the group called at the Somme American Military Cemetery at Bony.

On Thursday, July 1, the group attended a service at the Thiepval Memorial to mark the Somme anniversary.

In Belgium, the group visited Flanders Field Museum and St George’s Church, where the UDR crest can be viewed. It was presented to the Church in 2002, by the Coleraine Branch.

The memorial wall and cemetery at Tyne Cot, was the next stop for the group, who viewed some 11,000 graves and the 36,000 names on the memorial wall.

The final visit was to Dadizeele Cemetery, to visit the grave of the grandfather of one of the members.

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