Droppin Well Memorial
Members of the Cheshire Regimental Association (CRA), civil dignitaries and local residents joined with relatives and friends of those killed and injured in The Droppin Well bomb in Ballykelly for the 27th Anniversary on Sunday 6th December 2009. On the tragic night, 6th December 1982, of the bomb, 17 people lost their lives, including 8 members of 1st Battalion The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment. Some of the relatives and a number of CRA members travelled over from all corners of England for this event, as they do year after year.
On the evening prior to the service many of those attending the service met in the Combined Services Club in Limavady to renew acquaintances and talk through old times, some even went to the Droppin Well to pay their respects at the exact time that the bomb had gone off 27 years earlier. The memorial event was organised by Limavady Branch of the CRA with the service being led by Canon Samuel McVeigh in Tamlaghfinlagan church. Lessons were read by the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Dennis Desmond CBE, and the Chairman of the CRA, Mr Peter Gresty, with the act of remembrance being conducted by the Chairman of Limavady Branch, Mr Andy Callan, and Major Ron
Mr Steve Cash and Mr Roland Harkness pay their respects at The Droppin Well memorial
The next Droppin Well Memorial service will be held in Ballykelly on Sunday 5th December 2010 and we would be pleased to see as many people as possible at this annual event. Flights are available from Liverpool to Londonderry and from Manchester to Belfast; good rates are negotiated with local hotels by Limavady Branch. For more information and photographs of the Memorial, please visit the “Droppin Well Memorial” page on Face Book.
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment Association
The Lord Lieutenant with CRA Chairman and Standard party prior to the service
Goodwin MBE who was Regimental Sergeant Major at the time of the atrocity. Following the service, wreaths were laid at the memorial in the church grounds by members of CRA, other military associations, civil organisations, relatives and friends of those killed. As is customary following the service and wreath laying ceremony, the congregation retired to the church hall for tea and sandwiches provided by the church ladies before moving to the Combined Services Club in Limavady for a little something to ward off the winter chills and the chance to partake of a meal in the adjoining restaurant.
Violaines, France
A Service was held in Violaines, a small village in France, on 23 May 2010 to commemorate the thirty three British soldiers of different regiments who died there in May 1940 and who are buried there. Of these soldiers, thirteen were serving in 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment. A number of members of WFRA attended the ceremony and were made most
welcome by their French hosts. In addition, they visited various exhibitions and attended an evening Reception on the Saturday. On the Sunday, wreaths were laid at the town’s Memorial, all processed to the Cemetery where a Service was held. The names of the fallen were read out and local children placed a poppy cross on each grave in turn, Last Post was sounded and National Anthems were played. All in all, a very moving weekend.
The Mother and Sister of LCpl Clinton Collins lay their tribute
The Mercian Eagle October 2010 143
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