Gallipoli Commemoration Service at Lisburn Cathedral

Representatives of the Northern and Southern Irish Governments will attend along with the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand and the Honorary Consul of Turkey.

Each of the eight Irish regiments that took part in the campaign will be represented.

In particular the service will mark the New Zealand forces’ attack on the high ground at Chunuk Bair and the landing of 10th (Irish) Division at Suvla Bay.

Both of these events incurred very serious casualties, and the service will remember their actions and losses in particular.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Service.

The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Cathedral Hall after which, the Defence Adviser at the New Zealand High Commission in London will speak about the ANZAC contribution to the campaign.

On the three days of 7th, 8th and 9th August 1915, the Irish regiments at Gallipoli lost 307 men.

These included two young men from Hardinge Street in the New Lodge area of North Belfast - 24 year old Private Frederick Reis of the Royal Munster Fusiliers and 18 year old Private James Patterson of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

Royal Irish Fusiliers from all sections of the city were killed – men from Ballarat Street, Aberdeen Street, Wilton Street, Cullingtree Road, Newtownards Road and Glenalpin Street.

Committee Chairman, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: “This service is to commemorate the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 and to honour all those who took part. Eight Irish regiments were involved in the Gallipoli campaign, with many local men paying the ultimate sacrifice. This service is open to members of the public, and I would encourage them to attend.”

The eight Irish Regiments at Gallipoli were: 18th Royal Irish Regiment, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish (later Ulster) Rifles, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Connaught Rangers, Leinster Regiment, Royal Munster Fusiliers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Northern Ireland World War 1 Centenary Committee exists to further the understanding of the Great War. The Centenary Committee holds commemoration events and lectures on a regular basis to encourage remembrance discussion.

To find out more about the WW1 Centenary Committee log onto http://ww1centenaryni.com/.