Somme group announces 2014 events
Last Tuesday night the South Armagh Branch of the Ancre Somme Association held its monthly meeting.
The evening was used to unveil its new Kings Colour, a replica of the standard of the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers laid up in Armagh Cathedral before being stolen in the 1970’s, after which it announced its planned events to commemorate the Great War during the coming year.
The Association covers the greater South Armagh area including Newtownhamilton, Keady, Middletown and Markethill; and has defined its role as to educate, explore and remember the events surrounding the Battle of the Somme, with particular relevance to the local area.
With the centenary of the outbreak of WW1 coming later in 1914, the branch has scheduled two exhibitions and presentations to look at what was thought would be the ‘War to end all Wars’.
The first event will take place on the evening of 10th April in Markethill High School, with the second scheduled for 18 September in Newtownhamilton High School. On both occasions it is hoped several partners and other locally based community groups will get involved and bring more local interest to proceedings.
Anyone with information on the subject matter or wishing to be a part of the events is welcome to contact the group via chairman Quincey Dougan on 07835624221. A list of all those who served in the greater Markethill and greater Newtownhamilton areas is currently being compiled and input is very welcome.
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