The streets of Belfast’s Shankill Road echoed with solemnity on Saturday, February 18, 2023, as the 1st Shankill Somme Association hosted their poignant annual remembrance parade and service to honour the gallant sacrifice of the 36th Ulster Division during the Great War of 1914-1918.
The sombre event commenced with the association laying a reverent wreath at the International Peace Tree in Woodvale Park.
A symbol of unity and reconciliation, the gesture signified the enduring commitment to peace, even in the face of history’s gravest conflicts.
Amidst the poignant backdrop, the association, accompanied by the hauntingly evocative melodies of the Shankill Protestant Boys Flute Band, embarked on a march down the historic Shankill Road.
The route led them to a convergence with the main parade at the Shankill Leisure Centre Carpark at Northumberland Street.
United in purpose, the procession then traversed the storied Shankill Road, culminating at the 1st Shankill Somme Association War Memorial adjacent to the hallowed grounds of the Shankill Graveyard.
At the War Memorial, a deeply moving service of remembrance was led by Rev. Glen Jordan, underscoring the indomitable spirit of unity and reverence that courses through the veins of this remarkable community.
The poignant wail of the piper’s lament set the stage as poppy wreaths were tenderly placed by various groups, each poppy a symbol of remembrance for a life once lived and a sacrifice freely given.
The poignant notes of the bugler’s “last post” reverberated through the air, a haunting tribute that transcended time and space.
In a moment of harmony and solidarity, the Shankill Protestant Boys Flute Band serenaded the assembly with the timeless melody of “Abide With Me,” a resonant hymn that encapsulated the collective yearning for solace and peace.
The event resonated far beyond the Shankill Road, drawing participants from various Somme Associations across Belfast, Carrick, Banbridge, Millisle, and even Glasgow.
Numerous distinguished groups, including Veteran Associations and the Orange Order, also stood shoulder to shoulder with the community, reinforcing the power of shared history and values.
Walter Lyons, the Chairman of the 1st Shankill Somme Association, delivered an impassioned speech that both honoured the courage of the 36th Ulster Division and expressed gratitude to all those who graced the event with their presence.
“The bravery and sacrifice of these valiant men can never be forgotten,” Lyons emphasized, his voice a resounding tribute to the enduring legacy of those who gave everything for a brighter future.
The event not only commemorated history but underscored the living testament of community and remembrance that perseveres to this day.