Service of Remembrance on Rathlin Island
Mon, November 20, 2017
A wreath laying at sea formed part of Rathlin Island’s Service of Remembrance on Sunday.
The act, carried out by the Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim Joan Christie OBE and the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councillor Joan Baird OBE, was a poignant reminder of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Drake. 18 sailors perished when it sank off the island shoreline after suffering a torpedo attack from a German U-boat in Octoberevent l1917.
Speaking afterwards the Mayor said: “It was very significant for us all to gather together and remember this tragic loss a century later. I would like to thank the organisers of the service and all of those who took the time to participate and pay tribute to all the fallen.”
The island commemoration began with a service in St Thomas’ Church led by Rev Patrick Barton. Afterwards wreaths were laid in the adjoining graveyard to remember lives lost on HMS Racoon and HMS Viknor.
Among those to pay their respects were the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, the Royal Naval Association, the Royal Naval Patrol Service, the PSNI and the Marconi Radio Group.
Organised by members of Ballycastle Royal British Legion, the island event was attended by representatives from branches across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Lisburn and Bangor.
The service on the island is traditionally held one week after Remembrance Sunday.
