Pictured
at the twenty-one Commonwealth War Graves at
Eglantine Parish
Church are L to R: (back row) Maurice Hanna (People’s
Warden), Brian Fitzsimons (Standard Bearer - 31 Group,
Royal Observer Corps Association), Paddy Malone, Wing
Commander Harry Allen, the Rector - Rev Canon William
Bell, Flt Lt Roy Kerr (OC 817 Lisburn ATC), David Orr
and Geoffrey Simpson (Rector’s Warden). Included in the
front row are Cadets from 2004 Ballynahinch Squadron.
Pictured at the
Remembrance Sunday
Service at Eglantine Parish Church is L to R: Roberta
Cumins, Robert Cumins, Rev Canon William Bell and Noel
Adams (Peoples’ Glebewarden). Robert Cumins, born in
January 1921, joined the RAF in June
1940 and
trained as a Flight Mechanic and worked as an Engine
Fitter at Sydenham, Maghaberry, Long Kesh and Nutts
Corner. After his squadron moved to York, Robert was
sent to North Africa where he was involved in the repair
of Spitfires at Blida, Algeria.
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The Rector, the Rev Canon
William Bell, conducted a Remembrance Sunday Service at the
Parish Church of All Saints’, Eglantine.
Followed the laying of wreaths,
Flt Lt Roy Kerr (OC 817
Lisburn ATC) read the names of those from the
congregation who laid down their lives during the First and
Second World War. In his address Canon Bell said that there are
some things we want to remember and some things we want to
forget. He explained that for many, remembering can be a
painful experience as they recall horrific scenes of
concentration camps, the blitz and air raids. He also explained
that remembering can be a fulfilling, refreshing and uplifting
time as we celebrate the gift of freedom and give thanks for
those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. He concluded
by looking forward with faith and hope for the time when men
will “turn their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no
more”.
The Parish Church
Choir led the worship and the organist was Norma Bell. The
congregational Hymns included: ‘O God our help in ages past’,
‘Thine be the glory’, the Royal Air Force hymn – ‘O ruler of the
earth and sky’ and ‘God is our strength and refuge’ (to the tune
of the Dambusters March). The choir sang the anthem, ‘God! As
with silent hearts we bring to mind how hate and war diminish
humankind.’
Following the service the congregation gathered in the
graveyard behind the church where twenty-one Commonwealth Air
Force servicemen (from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and)
killed during the Second World War are buried.
Flt Lt Roy Kerr (OC 817
Lisburn ATC) read the names of the twenty-one
who died. After the laying of wreaths and the placing of
crosses at each grave, a short service of remembrance was
conducted by Canon
Bell.
13/11/2006
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