Friends of the 36th Ulster Division - Carrickfergus

On Saturday 6th June, members of our Society travelled to Carrickfergus to support the Friends of the 36th Ulster Division - Carrickfergus at their annual remembrance parade.

Although the weather was not quite on our side, an enjoyable and meaningful afternoon was had by all. The parade commenced in Sunnylands before making its way towards Carrickfergus Town Centre, where it joined the remainder of the parade ahead of the remembrance service and refreshments in the King William III Memorial Orange Hall.

During the journey to the town centre, the first section of the parade paused at North Road Cemetery, where we learned about the grave of Private Samuel Boyd of the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizen Volunteers). Private Boyd was killed in action on 31st January 1917 and is buried at Berks Cemetery Extension, Ploegsteert Wood, Messines.

The grave in North Road Cemetery is a family memorial which has been refurbished and maintained by the Friends of the 36th Ulster Division – Carrickfergus. Each year, they pay their respects at the graveside, ensuring that Private Boyd's sacrifice is never forgotten.

This was the first occasion that our Society has attended and supported an event organised by the Friends of the 36th Ulster Division – Carrickfergus. We would like to thank them for their warm welcome and hospitality, and we look forward to building upon this friendship and supporting future events in the years ahead.