Three hundred crosses for murdered Orange members
The representatives laid wreaths at The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland headquarters, Schomberg House on the Cregagh Road, in memory of the 338 Orangemen and one Orangewoman who lost their lives.
Grand Master Edward Stevenson led the acts of remembrance at the institution Orange Victims Day in its Garden of Remembrance.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe was joined by representatives of the Junior Grand Orange Lodge, Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland, Royal Arch Purple Chapter, Royal Black Institution and the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
The service was among a number of commemorative events across Northern Ireland this week, as county, district and private lodges remember their fallen members.
Speaking at the service today, Grand Master Edward Stevenson said: “We come together to remember and respectfully pay tribute to the 338 Orangemen and one Orangewoman who were killed at the hands of republican terrorists during the Troubles. Many of those murdered were also members of our other Loyal Orders represented here today.
“This annual commemoration illustrates our determination that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“This is a day of remembrance and reflection for the wider Orange family. We remember not only those who lost their lives but also the families who lost loved ones. We also remember those who suffered serious injuries and still bear the scars – both physically and emotionally.”
He noted that the small white crosses spread across the order’s memorial garden each represent a life cut short.
“The Orange Institution will continue to give its support to the innocent victims and consistently challenge the republican agenda which would see the history books re-written,” he added.
The service was conducted by the order’s grand chaplain, Rev John Noble. It coincides this year with the 45th anniversary of the Tullyvallen Massacre in south Armagh. Four Orangemen were murdered in the IRA attack on Tullyvallen Orange Hall on 1 September 1975. A fifth member of the order died later as a result of his injuries.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTUV leader Jim Allister also issued a statement today in memory of the fallen Orangemen.
“Today, on Orange Victims Day, we recall those from within the ranks of Orangeism who paid the supreme sacrifice,” he said.
“It is fitting that we should remember them on the anniversary of the Tullyvallen Massacre when five Orangemen were murdered for the crime of being Orangemen and Protestants. It is a particularly stark reminder of the blatantly sectarian nature of much of the PIRA campaign - something the people of Northern Ireland were reminded of again when guns used in Tullyvallen were employed in the murder of ten Protestant workmen at Kingsmills a few months later.
He added: “It is right and proper that such barbarism is recalled, even if it is in a somewhat scaled back fashion this year because of the pandemic. It is also right to remember that many IRA guns remain in circulation, fifteen years after they were supposedly all decommissioned.”
A message from the Editor:
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.
Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Alistair Bushe
Editor