Special Edition to mark the Brigade’s Big Weekend The weekend 20th/22nd March was a hugely important one for the Ulster Regiment. For the past year, the Regiment has been preparing to commemorate those from within its ranks who bravely fought for King and Country during the Great War. On the Friday, the Mayor of Lisburn, Andrew Ewing, hosted a Presentation and Book Launch at the Island Civic Centre. Four lads, one from each of the Brigade’s four sections, were presented with their prizes as winners of a Commemorative War Badge Design Competition - Harry Smyton (The Martins) from Seagoe, Archie Clayton (Y Team) from Dobbin, Calvin Patterson (JTC) and Ward Patterson (Seniors) from Ballinderry. Out of more than 150 entries, Calvin Patterson’s entry was chosen as the overall winner and his design has been made into a woven badge that will be worn on our uniforms until 2018. A new book, ‘Ready and Willing – Irish Church Lads in the Great War’, was presented to the Mayor by Dean Robert Townley. The purpose of the book is to create a permanent record of the remarkable contribution made to the Great War by Irish Church Lads. Every Brigade family will receive a complimentary copy of this book. On Saturday night an Anniversary Dinner was held in the Brownlow Hotel, Lurgan. Several Anniversaries were being celebrated – the Ulster Regiment, the 2nd Battalion and the Seagoe Girls Company were all marking their 70th Birthdays. The Archbishop of Armagh was Guest of Honour; also in attendance from England were the CLCGB Governor, Liz Butterfield, the Brigade’s CEO, Audrey Simm, and The Hon. Treasurer, John Smith. The highlight of the weekend was the Annual Parade when hundreds of lads and girls marched to Seagoe Parish Church for a Service led by the Rector, Canon Terence Cadden. This was the biggest parade for many years and during the Service a new War Memorial Banner was dedicated by the Archbishop, Most Rev Dr Richard Clarke. The Mayor of Craigavon, Colin McCusker, and his family were in attendance. St Mark’s Band leading the Parade Special Guests at the Annual Service Reader for Armagh Diocese Martin Clayton, an Officer in St Saviour’s, Dobbin, and the Ulster Regiment’s Training Officer, has just been commissioned as a Reader for the Armagh Diocese. Martin is pictured with the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, who carried out the commissioning in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh. Former Staff Officers Attend Dinner Former members of the Regimental and Battalion Staff were special guests at the Brigade Dinner on Saturday 21st March. Pictured above right are Mr and Mrs Howard Bustard (6th Battalion), Mr and Mrs John Clifford (2nd Battalion/Training Officer), Mr and Mrs John Williams (Training Officer) and Mr and Mrs Dennis Agnew (D of E Award). ‘Ready and Willing’ - Available Now Every family in the Brigade will receive a copy of this book which tells of the contribution of Irish Church Lads to the Great War. Former members and other interested people may purchase a copy of this professionally produced book for £5 plus £2.50 P&P. See the CLCGB Ulster Regiment website for details. Contact us: email: [email protected] web: www.ulsterregimentclcgb.org.uk Telephone 01709 876535, option 5 for Belfast Office. www.clcgb.org.uk Development Officers: Victoria Speers: [email protected] mob 07958 202724 Matthew Nicholl: [email protected] mob 07538 888005 Regimental Commander: Melvyn Lockhart [email protected] mob 07810183282 Newsletter Editor: Johnny Conn [email protected] mob 07925 353107