Diocesan News
Special poppy remembers sacrifice of air crew in Second World War
A special poppy, made from the metal of a crashed Second World War Catalina flying boat, will be on display at one of the Remembrance Services in Clogher Diocese this weekend.
The poppy, one of a several made from the metal pieces found at the crash site by an aviation historian, will be on display in Derryvullan North Parish Church, Irvinestown, this Sunday, 12th November, as those who made the supreme sacrifice are remembered.
This poppy and a number of other similar poppies were presented to each church where the bodies of the 11 aircrew are buried. This particular aircraft crashed in 1942.
The cemetery at Derryvullan North has the largest number of graves in Northern Ireland managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
An Act of Remembrance and service will be held at Derryvullan North at 3.30pm conducted by Archdeacon Paul Thompson following a parade of veterans, the Royal British Legion and youth organisations through Irvinestown.
There are 74 graves of aircrew buried in this churchyard, lovingly maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. A short distance away, at the Church of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, a further 10 similar graves are found.
Numerous services will be held at parish churches throughout Clogher Diocese this Sunday, with the service in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, following a ceremony at the Cenotaph in Belmore Street, the location of the Remembrance Day bomb in 1987.
Among those taking part will be Dean Kenneth Hall, who will conduct the service in the Cathedral at which the preacher will be the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis. A number of special guests representing the governments of Northern Ireland and the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the American Consulate and the Polish Consulate will be in attendance.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Clogher
07708 869823
Mr Brian Donaldson
clogherdco@btinternet.com