Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Alderman Margaret Tinsley along with elected members are attending the Battle of the Somme memorial and commemoration services in France and Belgium to pay their respects on behalf of the Borough.
Lord Mayor Tinsley along with Alderman Ian Burns, Alderman Gareth Wilson, Alderman Tim McClelland and Councillor Kate Evans are part of the delegation attending remembrance services during the four-day visit.
Commenting ahead of the visit Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough said:
“This visit is a poignant act of remembrance to mark the memory of all those soldiers who fought and died so many years ago during the Battle of the Somme.
“It is a privilege to represent the Borough to mark this significant occasion in our history.”
On the first evening (Thursday 29th June) the delegation laid wreaths during the service at Menin Gate to remember 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. Menin Gate is one of four memorials to the Missing in Belgian Flanders covering the area known as Ypres Salient.
On Friday the delegation will visit several cemeteries including Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Langemark German Cemetery and Tyne Cot – the largest Commonwealth war cemetery where there are 12,000 graves, many belonging to unknown soldiers.
On Saturday 1st July, the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, the delegation will lay wreaths at Thiepval Memorial and the Somme Association Remembrance Services.
The Thiepval Memorial, is dedicated to the Missing of the Somme, and bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave.
The delegation will also visit the Ulster Memorial Tower which honours the 36th Division and all those from Ulster who served during the First World War.
The visit will conclude on Sunday 2nd July, with a tour of Thiepval Wood, a peaceful and tranquil place preserved to remember all the soldiers who served there and of those still resting, close to where they fell.
