The first Member of Parliament to be killed in action during the First World War was Captain Arthur O’Neill on this day in 1914. “He fell while leading his men in a most gallant attempt to save a situation. He was shot on the Klein Zillebeke Ridge, near Ypres, and shouting to his men to line the ridge [he] was being carried out when he received another wound, and then begged his bearers to leave him and save themselves. He did not know what fear was”. He was the father of Captain Terence Marne O’Neill, later PM of Northern Ireland. Captain Thomas Phillips from Ahoghill, a Campbell and Queen’s educated medic, who was born in Damascus died on the same day as Captain Arthur O’Neill. William Davison from Moneymore died in 1916 serving with Canadian Infantry. Stewart Agnew a rifleman from Upperlands serving with New Zealand Army died in 1918. Edwin Toole a Royal Canadian Air Force Sergeant from Belfast died over Serbia near Belgrade in 1943. In 1944 Old. Portoran Geoffrey Reay was on a mission to Bochum when his was one of three bombers lost. His brother Derek Edward also died on service. Field Marshal Sir John Greer Dill from Armagh was greatly honoured by the USA when he died in Washington this day in 1944. Don’t miss today’s lead Veteran – Mabel Glass daughter of Mrs. Mabel Glass of Whitehead, Co. Antrim. Her mother was a friend of world-famous aviation pioneer Amy Johnson who flew solo from London, England to Australia. Mabel Junior’s record in war time flying is awesome. Don’t pass by this hidden gem of NI war time service.
Photo – Recruiting office in Clifton Street, Belfast during WW2.
Remembrance NI - Every day is a Remembrance Day 