1916 entries in today’s Roll continue to reflect the cost on the Somme. Nine are from the Royal Irish Rifles. Seven of them have no known grave and are remembered on Thiepval and Ypres memorials. William Glass from Clogher fell with Canadian infantry. He was one of many NI men who served with the forces of their new country in the empire. In 1942 Neville King, former Rockport student, died flying a Supermarine Spitfire aircraft in pursuit of a German Junkers Ju 88 aircraft over Malta. Bernard McCormick from Coleraine died serving with the South Staffordshire Regiment in the invasion of Normandy. Two officers in the regiment whose wives were from NI also died on the same day. Bill Balmer served in the Royal Marines from 1939 to 1953. Born in Coleraine to the sound of Lambeg Drums, his service and that of his wife to the Ballymoney branch of the RBL were exemplary. Today’s Roll reflects the human cost of air raids over Germany in 1941 and the battle for Normandy in 1944. Photo – Memorial marking the 75th anniversary of D Day, unveiled by UK Prime Minister Rt Hon Theresa May MP in the presence of President Macron of France.
Remembrance NI - Every day is a Remembrance Day 