Carrickfergus Sailing Cub commemorates Somme centenary

They also paid tribute to the seven members of the club who gave their lives in the Great War.

The service, which was opened by a cannon volley of four shots from the club battery, took place at the memorial bearing the names of the seven members who fell and based round the anchor which was donated by past Commodore Watson Kernoghan.

Club member Brian McGregor from Whitehead Royal British Legion introduced the service with a description of the Battle of the Somme.

Dame Pat Hawkins Windsor OBE, a war historian from Carrickfergus, read the names of the seven club members who lost their lives and gave details of their service history and place of burial.

Nigel Thompson, club member, harbour master and past commodore, read the opening prayer.

Brian McGregor gave the exhortation before the last post was played.

Past commodore Terry Windsor conducted flag honours by dipping the club flag during the two-minute silence.

After the two-minute silence, reveille was played and Nigel Thompson delivered the Kohima Epitaph.

Club commodore Wendy Grant laid a Royal British Legion Somme wreath at the memorial on behalf of the club and members. Several other members laid crosses as personal tributes.

The hymn Abide with Me was sung before the closing prayer which was given by the commodore. A cannon volley of four shots marked the conclusion of the service.

Carrickfergus Sea Cadets provided uniformed attendance to the commemoration