Orangemen killed in war remembered at south Armagh service

Sixteen Orangemen who were killed in action during the First World War have been remembered by brethren at a commemorative service in south Armagh.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2016, 22:22 BST
Updated 6th Jun 2016, 23:37 BST
A wreath was laid at Bessbrook war memorial during the serviceA wreath was laid at Bessbrook war memorial during the service
A wreath was laid at Bessbrook war memorial during the service

The event took place at Christ Church in Bessbrook – founded in the mid-19th century by Quakers – and had a Somme centenary anniversary theme.

Remarkably, 100 members of Bessbrook District LOL No 11, whose combined lodge membership at that time was around 170, served in the war, with 16 of them losing their lives at the Somme and other battles.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The incredible record of service meant that more than 60 per cent of Bessbrook Orangemen volunteered for action in the First World War.

Others from Bessbrook also served, including the Rev Alexander Stuart, the then minister of Bessbrook Presbyterian Church, who, as an Army chaplain, was killed in 1917.

Sunday’s service was attended by Orangemen from Bessbrook, Newry, Markethill and Belfast.

Tullyvallen silver band and Bessbrook Crimson Arrow pipe band led the parade to and from the church.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A wreath was laid at Bessbrook war memorial in the centre of the village by Bessbrook District Master Earl Cartmill.

The 16 Bessbrook Orangemen who paid the supreme sacrifice in the First World War were: Private James Beattie (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Private William Black (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers); Rifleman James Brown (Royal Inniskilling Rifles); Private Samuel Burns (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Private Joseph Chambers (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Private Edmund Gray (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Lance Corporal Samuel Hanna (Royal Irish Rifles); Private William Hanna (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Private George Henning (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers); Private William Monaghan (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Rifleman James McCullough (Royal Irish Rifles); Corporal Johnston McCullough (Royal Irish Fusilliers); Lance Corporal Samuel Roy (Royal Irish Rifles); Lance Corporal William Roy (Royal Irish Rifles); Private William James Sharpe (Royal Irish Fusiliers); and Private William Williamson (Royal Irish Fusilliers).

Of the 16 who died, only Lance Corporal Samuel Roy is buried in Bessbrook, in the Presbyterian churchyard.

The remainder are laid to rest in battle cemeteries in France and Belgium.

Related topics:ArmaghWilliam Black