Today’s Roll has two entries from the RND – the Royal Naval Division – which was comprised of naval personnel serving in an army role in WW1. There were men from throughout NI in the RND and they fought in most of the major engagements of the war. Today we remember two of them who died in 1918 – James Johnston, an Old Campbellian and Queen’s OTC member from Strandtown Belfast, and William Benson from Caledon. Five brothers from Banbridge served. Sergeant Edward McClean died this day in 1915 in France and his brother died in December 1916. Their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had also served in the army. In 1944 two Royal Irish Fusiliers died in Italy. John Cairns from Ballymena and Alfred Hall from Portadown are remembered at Santerno Valley War Cemetery. Photo – The War Memorial in Portstewart Parish Church remembers John Gray of the Royal Naval Brigade and Thomas Finlay of the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Both units served in land warfare.
Remembrance NI - Every day is a Remembrance Day 