Holywood remembers its lost generation
On 1 July, the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, a poignant service of reflection and remembrance took place in the church of St Philip and St James in Holywood.
Prior to the service, a peel of half–muffled bells rang out as people of all ages and religions came together to remember the 21 young men from Holywood who fought and died on that day 100 years ago.
Also remembered were men from the town who had died during the Great War. Many in the large congregation wore either their own medals or on behalf of relatives who had served.
One 88 year–old parishioner, Mrs Florrie Hamilton, proudly displayed medals belonging to her two uncles – Herbert and Walter Moore. Vicar of Holywood, Reverend Gareth Harron, welcomed civic leaders as well as representatives of churches and schools in the town, with a special welcome for relatives of well–known Holywood families who had lost loved–ones during the war.
It was touching that a number of residents from the nearby Somme Nursing Home had come to join in the commemoration service. The parish choir and Jubilate group, under their musical director Deirdre Harshaw, performed two pieces from The Armed Man with soloist Heather McCord. Alan Mackie read from John chapter 15: 12–17 and Betty McLaughlin led the intercessions.
One of the most moving parts of the service was during the Act of Commemoration when the names of men from well–known Holywood families slowly appeared on large screens with solemn music accompanying this roll of honour. Canon Jim Sims read the names of the 21 young men from Holywood who had died and wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Ards & North Down, Alderman Deborah Girvan; Revd Colin Bell CF for the Armed Forces; Mr Raymond Orr for the Royal British Legion; Tom Muldrew for the Scouts and Mr Kenneth Boyd on behalf of the Parish.
Canon Raymond Fox gave the Exhortation before trumpeter Richard McCall played The Last Post followed by two minutes silence before Reveille was sounded.
On a day when we could have tended towards despair, the Revd Colin Bell, Chaplain to the Forces, shared a message of hope in Christ. Before the Benediction, Bishop Harold Miller reflected on how those men laid down their lives for a world they never saw and how we don’t want a future to be like the past.
A ‘memorial tree’ was in place bearing the names of those 21 young men who died on the 1st July 1916 – and members of the congregation were encouraged to add names in remembrance of their loved–ones.
A dignified service which did our lost generation of Holywood proud.
“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them”. Lest we forget.
With thanks to Betty McLaughlin