The Chairman, Officers and Members of Comber and District together with Dundonald Branch of the Royal British Legion would like to thank everyone who contributed a donation towards the Poppy Fund Appeal.

The 2003 collection raised £18,341
The 2004 collection raised £21,870
The 2005 collection raised £21,103
The 2006 collection raised £23,000
The 2007 collection raised £24,045
The 2008 collection raised £30,000
The 2009 collection raised £32,000
The 2010 collection raised £32,298 there is still the odd box to be counted.
This was a fantastic effort by the combined members of Comber and Dundonald branches We have pushed up our total once again as we have done year after year. We are small in number but we make the effort. It should also be noted that this years total collection for Northern Ireland amounted to £989,820 of which the people of Comber and Dundonald gave a princely sum of £32,298. The people of the district really dug deep into their pockets and willingly gave what they could. The shops and businesses are to be thanked as well as those who braved the weather with their collection boxes. Some of you may be wondering why the year for the collection is apparently not correct.
The reason is that whatever we collect during the current year will be used the following year.
There is no doubting the generosity of the people of Comber and Dundonald.
How the money raised will be used is explained further down this page.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the business community for allowing us to place boxes within their premises and to the Supermarkets for bringing us indoors during the cold weather and plying us with welcome cups of tea.

It may seem incredible to you that the Comber branch of the RBL received a donation from Baghdad 2005. During 2006 we received an ammunition case full of quality cigars from Baghdad ...Unfortunately, I did not win this excellent prize, but the raffle raised over £300.
Without the help of the volunteers who sell poppies. The kindness and support of the business community who place collection boxes on their counters or let us collect at the doors of their premises these collections would be a lot less. The Churches within the region have helped us in every way possible and it shows us that this community cares about it's veterans. The Comber Branch of the RBL would like to thank you all for your support.

HIGHWAY OF HEROES and RED SHIRT FRIDAY I would like you all to take a few minutes to watch a video about the Canadian Highway of Heroes. A section of Canadian Highway No 401 has been given over as a tribute to the Fallen Heroes of Canada. I believe RED SHIRT FRIDAY has been in operation since 7th September 2007, when it was dedicated please note that Canada has now given 116 heroes at the time of writing this. HIGHWAY OF HEROES  < Click here. We need something like this to remember our fallen. There is a selection videos to watch at this location which will give you an insight to how other countries honour their dead. BE GLAD TO PASS THIS ON AS WE ALREADY ARE DOING IT FOR OUR TROOPS HERE IN CANADA BEST WISHES TO THE IRISH FROM ROYAL CANADIAN RBL N0 241 IN COMBER, ONTARIO, CANADA. Glen and Dorothy. FROM ONE OF OUR EX BRITISH SOLDIERS TRAVELLING THROUGH HEATHROW Last week I was in West London attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded Briton who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He knelt down and said 'hi,' the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 5 months now. As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a Kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.' The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum. I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's great to be BRITISH. RED FRIDAYS = what is it? Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Britains who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organised, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many British people, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognise that the vast majority of Britain supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Briton who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make "Great Britain" on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football team If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, It will not be long before Britain is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is...'We need your support and your prayers'... Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday. IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON IF YOU COULD NOT CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON. IT IS YOUR CHOICE. THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- Lest we Forget. OUTRAGE The bodies of the soldiers Murdered in Northern Ireland were flown home without ceremony. This has angered members of HM Forces: "British troops have spoken of their anger following the disclosure that the bodies of the two soldiers murdered by dissident republicans were shipped back to the UK as freight." "We have been told that the soldiers were not allowed to have a ramp service because of political reasons. We were told the Government didn't want anything that would look like the Troubles had restarted. "As far as we are concerned these soldiers were shot dead in uniform by terrorists and they should be treated in exactly the same way as if they were killed in Afghanistan. To send their bodies back to the UK as freight is outrageous." When a person joins any branch of HM Forces they are effectively on duty 24/7/365.  Sign up to prevent it happening again. E-Petitions. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Soldiers-on-Duty/#detail

VETERANS AND MESOTHELIOMA Hundreds perhaps thousands, of veterans were exposed to toxic asbestos-containing materials during military service. Widely used by every military branch, asbestos was highly regarded for its heat resistance and fireproofing capabilities. In fact, asbestos was so valued that the military used this fibreous material mainly for insulation purposes. This material when disturbed can give off micro fibres and particles which if inhaled can permanently lodge within the lungs. It may take as long as 20 to 30 years before problems become manifest. There is known to be more than 300 products containing asbestos which were used by the military, and the Navy in particular. Please take a moment to visit a new asbestos cancer section, featuring scientific and clinically based information on a variety of cancers and diseases that may share a causal relationship with asbestos exposure. The web address is ..... MESOTHELIOMA

EXCLUSIVE to SIXGOLDS Because of the ongoing security situation in Iraq and Afghanistan I cannot yet divulge the name of the recipent of this award even though it was mentioned on BBC Television News, but it is sufficent for you to know that he is a Comber man, and that should make us proud. ASI Control Staff Award Presented to: Squadron Leader NAME EXPUNGED, S02 Aeromed, on behalf of RAF Aeromedical Evacuation Control Centre, RAF Brize Norton NOMINATION OF THE AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION CONTROL CENTRE (AECC) FOR THE AMBULANCE SERVICE INSTITUTE'S CONTROL ROOM AWARD The Royal Air Force are sole providers of Aeromedical Evacuation to all three Arms of the Services (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force), and for entitled civilian patients from throughout the world (including dependents, contractors and Foreign and Commonwealth Officials and their families). This responsibility includes the repatriation of patients with illnesses and injuries from both peacetime and war fighting environments, a responsibility which has increased year on year since records began with a 25% over the past 12-months. Based at Royal Air Force Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, the AECC comprises 13 individuals whose role is to ensure that aeromedical evacuation is undertaken as swiftly and effectively as possible including the identification and mitigation of all risk within the process to ensure the safe delivery of patients to the NHS. This 'patient-transfer' type duty is conducted 24hrs a day and 365 days a year but unlike UK transfers, aeromedical missions from our main operational areas of Iraq and Afghanistan take place over approximately 3000 miles and last up to 40 hours. The process of aeromedically evacuating patients is comlex and requires careful and thorough planning to ensure the multiple links (often including 2 or more aircraft and ground transfers) in the patient care pathway are considered. It is also essential to consider the aviation environment and the unique hazards this presents not only in terms of altitude but isolation and duration. Often, specially commissioned and chartered aircraft are required for transfers forming a complex patient care pathway. During the past 12-months, the AECC have dealt with, risk assessed, staffed, planned and monitored the repatriation of 4302 patients of which 1944 required medical escorts. Of these, 654 originated from Afghanistan and 566 from Iraq. Seventy-five patients were of the highest dependency and critically ill requiring specialised anaesthetist led teams to safely return them to the UK. The patient workload from the operational areas is often the result of improvised explosive devices, rocket attacks and gunshot wounds. Management and coordination of the care of this type of penetrating polytrauma is particularly difficult and requires large medical teams and a significant equipment bill in order to provide care to these critical, high dependency patients. During the past year, all the staff at the AECC have worked with the utmost professionalism in a calm and confident manner, despite the multiple demands placed upon them from the unpredictable workloads. They have coped with diverted aircraft, changes in patient status, integration of patients to foreign hospitals and even aircraft returning to base following malfunctions. The staff have consistently given more than could be reasonably expected of them at personal cost and sacrifice in terms of personal and family time and have without doubt gone beyond "the call of duty'. I am left in no doubt that this dedication has literally saved lives and that the AECC staffs are unsung heroes providing a vital service in which both deployed commanders and service personnel rightly have the utmost confidence. The 13 staff of the AECC including its medical Ground Handling staff have never failed to return a patient to the UK. Being based in the UK, and not a theatre of military operations, the AECC staff are not eligible for operational honours or awards. Despite this, their unique contribution and efforts over the past year are more than worthy of recognition, and I strongly endorse and highly recommend the AECC to you for the Ambulance Service Institute's Control Room Award. Nominated by NAME EXPUNGED Group Captain Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (Medical Operations) The award ceremony was at the House of Commons on Thursday 16th October 2008.

WE ARE NOT GETTING THROUGH ??? Monday 27th October 2008. I was collecting for the Poppy Appeal when the following happened:-. "I would love to buy a poppy,   but if my husband saw it,   he would break my legs,   because his father fought in   both world wars   and did not get a pension." I replied, "Did the Legion know.?" If they had been informed they would have taken up the case and argued his cause." She replied "His widow was very independent,   and would never accept charity." I was stumped. WE NEED TO KNOW The Royal British Legion is not a Government organisation but we work with them and will put such cases forward on your behalf.     We cannot do this unless you tell us. For us to act for you it is not necessary for you or your relative to be a member of the Royal British Legion.

President Walter Lindsey     Nichola McDougall     and Sam McIlwrath.

We are very pleased to receive a cheque for £500 from Mr Tom and Mrs Maureen McParland from London. This will be added to the funds which Nichola raised. We are also delighted to announce that Tom and Maureen have joined Comber Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Copy dated:- 14th August 2008 Nichola MacDougall raised £500 towards the Poppy Appeal by running in the Newtownards half marathon. Nichola raised the money in memory of her father Comrade Derek Graham who was past Secretary of Comber British Legion. The President, Chairman, Officers and Comrades of Comber Royal British Legion would like to thank Nichola for this magnificent effort. Picture courtesy Newtownards Chronicle.

Ards Council agrees to "Heroes Parade"
This will be a boost to the morale of the Servicemen returning from Afghanistan and other trouble spots. This parade will show our Servicemen that they are not forgotten and the people of Ards appreciate what they are doing for us.
This is not a case of politics or the rights and wrongs of what the government tasked them to do. This is a case of expressing or gratitude to the men and women who have suffered on our behalf for so long.

HONOUR THE COVENANT             Click here to visit   TO COVENANT WEB SITE       The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, near Fort William.

ALL SOLDIERS ARE EQUAL Wed 19 March 2008 I was upset to hear that Gurkha Veterans felt compelled to return their military medals. I can understand their deep upset at being treated so disgracefully by the British Government which moved them to do such a thing. There is no excuse for treating any regiment in such despicable manner regardless of the glib reasons given. A Gurkha, like any other Serviceman places his life on the line, so why should they receive less than the rest. Their pensions are lower than for other Servicemen £130 instead of £1,000 for others. They cannot live on this low figure, even in their native Nepal. Some of these men have given a lifetime of service to the British, why do we offend them with the pittance offered. They have fought side by side with our servicemen taken the same risks so why are they reduced to being unworthy of British Citizenship. All Gurkha's should be entitled to British Citizenship and should be given priority over all other nationalities. These men have earned the right to be British if they desire it, and it must not be refused if they ask. There are scroungers from many nations living here, yet we turn our backs on those who have served us faithfully for almost 200 years. Their requests are modest, they are not asking anything more than they deserve. Not only do they deserve it but they have earned it over and over again. They have been faithful to us but our Government is betraying them in return. All they ask is to be treated fairly and I will support them in any way I can. Those that I have spoken to agree that Britain owes a deep debt to the Gurkha's. The British people respect and admire the Gurkha's but the Government they have elected have apparently turned their back on these brave deserving men.

CONGRATULATIONS to Comrade George Robinson. I am delighted to announce that George Robinson has been awarded an MBE by Her Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the New Years Honours List 2007/08 for his services to the Royal British Legion. George served in the Russian convoys to Murmansk and Archangel during WWII and has been a life long member of the British Legion. More details below

Tony Tubbenhaue from Australia RAAF WWII sitting in his Bristol Blenheim bomber. "On the surface I sighted a long dark shape, alerted my crew, dived, opened the bomb bay doors, slowed so the depth charges wouldn't break up as they hit the sea. Only seconds before dropping, .. a plume of spray rose high in the air ................." This interesting chap served at my RAF base in Sharjah and is the same age as George Robinson to read the end of this and other great yarns visit the Sharjah page at :- SHARJAH

DOES THIS NATION HAVE A CONSCIENCE ?.       This nation and it's interests must be defended against anyone who would harm us. The defence of this nation is in the hands of our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and without them we would not have the freedom we enjoy today. They are the front line both at home and abroad as they have been since time immemorial. Many have made the supreme sacrifice but even more have been injured so badly they are totally incapacitated. Others have been so traumatised and their minds so damaged that they will never be well again.       When we recruit these young men they are told that they belong to the greatest country on earth and that they will be looked after no matter what happens to them. It is with this belief that they are inspired to undertake the tasks our government decide. This is the Covenant between Nation and Soldier and it must be upheld regardless of the cost.. If we do not honour the covenant how can soldiers have a belief in this country, so why should they put their lives on the line for nothing.       The Royal British Legion can help to some extent with the aftermath and tragedy but this help is dependent entirely on the generosity of those giving to the Poppy Appeal. It is up to the government to honour this covenant by making good their promises and making adequate provision for our injured. It is the government that must help, it was our politicians that sent our men into danger in the first instance. It is my opinion that the government is not living up to the promises that they made and should be more generous in the support they give. For more information visit the Covenant Web Site above.

A Heart-warming story.     Some kids are great.         I was collecting for the Poppy Appeal on Wednesday 31 October in Super-Valu Comber when a young boy came in dressed in his Halloween outfit.     He lifted his pumpkin and said "Trick or Treat" I put my hands into my pockets and found two coins one was small and the other large.     I clenched them in my hands and told him to pick a hand. He chose the hand with the low value coin which I showed him saying to the lad, "Hard luck".     I dropped the coin into his pumpkin and then showed him the other coin which I also dropped into his pumpkin. The child was delighted and off he went collecting from other customers..     A few minutes later he returned and tipped the entire contents of the pumpkin onto the table and said "Can I have a Poppy please." I could hardly believe that this young boy was so willing to give up his collection to buy a poppy.. This young man is a shining example to other young people and it made me feel happy that there is one such as him in Comber. Adrian

A one-legged man with one eye covered by an eye patch stood on the street at the entrance to a busy London tube (subway) station. He was holding a basket and around his neck was a sign reading, "Help a starving veteran of the Falklands campaign." A naval officer stopped and read the sign, and began shouting at the passing pedestrians. "Does it mean nothing to you that a veteran of the Falklands campaign is starving? Have you no gratitude for his sacrifices?" He put a 50 pound note in the man's basket and several people followed suit. "I hope that helps you," the Naval officer said and the man replied .... "Gracias, Senor."

The Inquisitive Mind of a Child Why are they selling poppies, mummy? Selling poppies in town to-day The poppies, child are flowers of love For the men who marched away But, why have they chosen a poppy, mummy? Why not a beautiful rose? Because, my child, men fought and died In the fields where the poppies grow But why are the poppies so red, mummy? Why are the poppies so red? Red is the colour of blood, my child The blood our soldiers shed The heart of the poppy is black, mummy Why does it have to be black? Black my child, is the symbol of grief For the men who never came back But, why mummy, are you crying so? Your tears are giving you pain My tears are my fears for you my child For the world is - FORGETTING AGAIN.

There are two veterans badges available shown to the left. The one with the red background is for members of the Merchant Navy the other is for ex-members of the three remaining armed services. If you qualify for one of these badges, and you can determine that by clicking on the two links below. These links will take you to the application forms required of each of the two badges.

Simply download and print the required form and post it off to the address on the form. It takes about 3 weeks to receive your badge after checking their records to see that you have a legitimate claim to it.
My badge arrived in a beautiful presentation box with accompanying citation.
    Armed Services Application
    Merchant Navy Application

 

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Moneyrea for baps and tay, Ballygowan for brandy, Magherascourse for pigs and coos, but Comber is my dandy.

George Robinson
This photograph was taken in 1941 ( long before I was born ) George had a long and distinguished career in the Merchant Navy during World War II. He sailed frequently on the Russian convoys to Murmansk and Archangel bringing vital supplies to the Russian Front. These convoys sailed into the worst weather on earth and in addition faced the deadly threat of the German U-Boats. It was imperative that these ships got through to assist the Russians in the fight against the Nazi forces who had invaded their country. This had the advantage to the Allied forces in splitting the German forces across two battle fronts. It is approximately 1,600 miles from Scotland to Murmansk and the ships were in grave danger every inch of the voyage. It took a lot of fortitude ( guts we call it today) to face those dangers. Without men such as George and his many comrades, freedom may still have been a distant dream. Thousands of these brave men were lost on these convoys, and we are fortunate in still having George with us today. George is a very active member of Comber Branch RBL and a regular attender at St Mary's Church. You probably don't know that George designed and built his own house which included installing all of the electrics and the central heating.

On the 6th February 2006 George gave a talk to the St Mary's Mothers Union, he held them spellbound listening to his lifetime of experiences. He has begun his 86th year and with God's grace he will be with us for a long time to come.  
I am delighted to announce that George Robinson has been awarded an MBE by Her Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the New Years Honours List 2007/08 for his services to the Royal British Legion.

 

 

 Adrian,
Thanks ever so much for your bit on the site.

This picture is from Remembrance Sunday 2006 in Ripon when I managed to get a local Yorkshire man who had served in Korea with the Royal Ulster Rifles to come on parade and he walked for the first time with his newly aquired headdress!!!!

He said he felt very proud and honoured to once again wear the badge as he paraded through Ripon.

Best wishes to all in Comber ( especailly all who may remember me, My ex boss Major Lindsay, B Coy, 7 UDR, Big Sam McIlwrath ( RQ ) and the one whose footsteps I just wanted to follow in, Sgt Derek Graham, 22 yrs loyal service, HQ Coy, UDR.
( My uncle and friend! )

 

Members of Nendrum College together with members of the Royal British Legion at the War Memorial on 11th November 2005.    
It is wonderful to see these young people taking an interest in the great historical events in which their forefathers played such a vital part.
Pictures by courtesy of Lester Morrow.

The Officers and Comrades of Comber RBL (Northern Ireland) send fraternal greetings to our brothers in Canada. Royal Canadian Legion Comber Branch 241 Service to Comrades, Community and Nation Welcome to the Comber Legion Branch 241 6420 Main Street (Hwy 77) Comber, ON N0P 1J0 (519) 687-2201 (Phone & Fax) Our legion is open to members and non-members alike. We welcome anyone that wishes to enter our doors. The web address is:- http://www.legion241.com/

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Today membership of the Royal British Legion is open to everyone in the community. This was passed at a recent Congress of the RBL. In the past membership was open only to those who served their country as a member of any of the armed services anyone else was an associate member now they can be Full Members.
There are many past servicemen living in the community who believe that the Legion is not for them because they did not see action. It is not necessary for them to have seen action, having served their country even for a short time was sufficient. When they joined (even in peacetime) they knew the possible risks they could face, yet they gave service to your country regardless. The work that the Legion does is wide ranging and we welcome all the new members we can recruit. You to can help in many ways, so if your heart is in the right place you are welcome to come along and meet us.
The Royal British Legion exists to provide help and assistance to all comrades who are in circumstances of need. This applies also to those comrades of the future who may face conflict in other places and wars which have not yet come. We will be there for them as we are for the servicemen of the past and present. We are not all aged and infirmed, we are a mix of all ages, from all of the services, a band of brothers and sisters, with a common past. We provide mutual support and just as important comradeship as a band of kindred spirits. We have a range of activities which will keep you interested regardless of your age. You will receive a warm welcome at your Local Branch, just make a point of attending at least once to see what we are about.

Many of us choose not to talk about our experiences, some of the memories are just too painful to put into words. If you don't want to talk it doesn't matter, but should you need to there will be a friend to listen and understand.

There are many people within the community who lost relatives in the various conflicts. They have no way to mark or commemorate their loss other than on Remembrance Day. They are welcome to come along and share together with us that solemn act. If you want to wear the medals of your deceased loved ones, you can do so by placing them on the right breast. You can do this with pride and as a mark of respect to honour those who have gone before. Those wearing decorations on the left breast are the actual recipients, it is also traditional for them to wear the head-dress, tie and blazer badge of their old regiment, if they so wish. You will be welcome to place a small cross in the Garden of Remembrance at the foot of the War Memorial. Those wishing to do this will be called forward towards the end of the service. See The Order of Service at the bottom of this page.

This year twenty-six different organisations placed wreaths at Comber War Memorial and after that many members of the public came forward to place their own wreaths and crosses at the base of the monument thus giving them an opportunity for expression of remembrance to all who have suffered and died in conflict in the service of their country and all those who mourn them. The list of Organisations laying Wreaths is listed at the bottom of this page.
Cenotaph is Greek and literally means 'Empty Tomb'.

Comber Branch of the Royal British Legion meets once per month at 7.45 pm (for 8 pm) on the second Tuesday of each month (except June, July and August.) in Comber Rifle Club. We start each year after summer recess in September. Anyone wishing to attend should come along and join in you will be made welcome and given a place within the Branch to make you feel at home with friends and good comradeship. The Royal British Legion needs the support of the whole community, all ex-service personnel should make a point of going at least once to your local branch just to see what we do. This will give you a chance to meet some old comrades and have a chat, and bring back memories of times past.

The following images are courtesy of Newtownards Chronicle Click on the image to see the enlarged version and on your back button to return to this page. Some of these images will be slow to download without broadband. Mr George Piggott, Comber Rotary Club Mr Derek Graham Comber RBL Comber Standard Bearer & Jim Worthington (right) George Adams Sounding the Last Post Lt. Col. A. Montgomery The Exortation and Command. Tom and Maureen McParland. from London In memory of Lt. Col. Blair Mayne SAS Major Matt Smyth Mrs Alice Lappin and Mr Adrian Hanna on behalf of The Royal Air Force.

Comber Rifle Club has graciously opened their extensive facilities to the membership. These facilities include conference room, bar, large screen projection television and much else. I would take this opportunity to thank the Chairman, Officers and Staff of Comber Rifle Club for the use of these facilities.

Comber Branch of the Royal British Legion is a no-nonsense Branch the discussions are kept to an absolute minimum so that boredom is never encountered. The Officers of the Branch are willing and active workers which makes membership a pleasure.
The Branch is very active in charity work assisting ex-Service Personnel in many ways by providing a watchful eye on the elderly and checking that they are not under circumstances of difficulty or distress.

The Branch has a very active Social Life in addition to our attendance at the various annual parades, commemorating The Somme, Armistice, Etc.,
Other activities extend to:-

1. Bowls
   
2. Darts
   
3. Golf
   
4. Quiz Nights
   
5. Rifle and Pistol Shooting (See below)
   
6. Annual Dinner
   
7. Line Dancing. (Part of Rifle Clubs activities after the RBL meeting)
   
8. Archery, coaching by Adrian Hanna in conjunction with Lough Cuan AC.
   

The sports committee of the Royal British Legion Northern Ireland held its annual rifle and pistol shooting competition on Saturday June 9th . This year it was held at the outdoor range of Comber Rifle Club. The Royal British Legion would like to thank all the Officials and Range Staff of the Rifle Club who assisted on the day. Without their help the meeting would not have happened. A total of 14 teams from around the Province participated and thoroughly enjoyed their day. Competition was fairly intense but the teams representing the Comber Branch excelled themselves picking up no less than four trophies to add to their growing collection.
The following teams represented Comber Branch RBL
COMBER "A" :- Rowan Conway, Adrian Hanna, Nichola Williams, and Terry Wooton.
COMBER "B" :- S.W. Lindsay, Roger Moreland, Howard Simpson and J.M. Smith.
RESERVE :- Nick Williams.
RESULTS :- Winning Team Rifle, Comber "A", Runner up, Disabled Ex-Servicemen.
Individual Rifle, Rowan Conway, Comber.
Pistol Team Winners (after shoot off), Coalisland, Runner up, Comber "A".
Pistol Individual, Tommy Hutchinson, Disabled Ex-Servicemen, Runner up, Rowan Conway, Comber.
Source:- Ards Chronicle.

On a wider front the Royal British Legion in Northern Ireland has a very wide range of sporting and other recreational activities enough to wet even the most jaded appetite.

Did you know the Poppy Appeal provides only half of the funds we need:-
The Royal British Legion is dedicated to help serving and ex-service men and women and their families.

1. ....1,000 people are helped to visit war graves every year.
2. ....over 300,000 calls for help are answered every year.
3. ....54,000 people are helped with war pensions every year.
4. ....5,000 people are helped with a stay in our homes every year.
5. ....100,000 visits are made each year to the house bound or in hospital.
   Source:- Royal Air Force News
   

Veterans from abroad are welcome to make contact via E-Mail for the furtherance of International Cordiality.

To find out more about Comber Branch of the Royal British Legion use the E-Mail address in the box below.

You will need to type the address yourself this is to prevent SPAM

	The words of Laurence Binyon. The Exortation
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.		At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

The Command When you go home tell them of us and say, "For your tomorrow we gave our today."

The Hon., Barry Bingham Victoria Cross RN Bangor Co Down.

Picture "Spectator" 17th March 2005

Captain HMS Nestor Battle of Jutland 1916

Commander Barry Bingham was only 34 when he commanded HMS Nestor at the battle of Jutland. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in the battle. It was proposed in North Down Council that he should be honoured with a permanent memorial. Details of progress will follow in future revisions of this page.

Able Seaman James J. Magennis RN Diver XE-3 Miniature Submarine

Victoria Cross. For action Singapore Harbour 31st July 1945

Acting Leading Seaman James Joseph Magennis received the Victoria Cross from King George VI on December 5th, 1945. He was active in the Straights of Johor and attached limpet mines to the hull of the Japanese cruiser Takao. His midget submarine XE-3 was jammed under the cruiser and it required tremendous effort to attach the mines, severely hampered by faulty breathing apparatus but he succeeded in his objective.

Edmund de Wind Victoria Cross

36th (Ulster) Division Killed in Action March 1918

(Paddy) Blair Mayne S.A.S
Distinguished Service Order with 3 Bars.
Croix de Guerre and Palm.
Legion D'Honneur
other Honours and Citations

Company Sergeant Major
ROBERT HANNA V.C.
29th Infantary Batallion, Canada.

Born August 1887 at Aughnahoory, Co Down in the Mourne Mountains.
He lead an assault on "Hill 70", Lens, France, 21st August 1917, taking command after all officers were killed. There were 9,000 casualties sustained before taking the hill from the Germans. Presented with the Victoria Cross by King George at Buckingham Palace on 5th December 1917. He returned to Kilkeel then home to Canada. He passed away 15th June 1967.
Update 16th May 2006 Source The Ulster - Scots Agency. Believed to be the Great/Grand Uncle of the author of this page.

USEFUL LINKS

A new list compiled from many sources, this represents the most definitive list available. IRISH VICTORIA CROSS RECIPIENTS

Bonjour Adrian, I would like to put your website address (Comber) on our Website, is this okay? Perhaps you would like to reciprocate with ours? I look forward to hearing from you. Val Secretary & Webmaster RBL Brittany Email: SecretaryRBLBrittany@wanadoo.fr Tel: 02 97 39 75 44 Website: LEGION IN BRITTANY

Monthly Newsletter of the Market Harborough Branch, An Interesting Page

For those of you that enjoy Service poetry this is the best source on the web. Poetry from within. The Forces Poetry website has been created for you, anyone. Whether you are or were a member of the armed forces anywhere, a relative or you just want to express yourself then this is where to do it. FORCES POETRY

The Royal British Legion San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Advice and help for British military veterans, and their families. A very interesting and useful site. SAN FRANCISCO RBL

If you click on the words Great War Website it will take you to a collection of the best tunes from WWI and II.I am thankful to www.greatwar.nl for permitting download of the Last Post. The bugler is Neville Young. "TO THE GREAT WAR WEBSITE"

COMBER ONLINE   A Web Site dedicated to local News and events.

HOSTING by WWW.SIXGOLDS.COM TO MAIN INDEX

Graphics © Sixgolds.com / Royal British Legion.
With thanks to the following:-
Edmund de Wind VC from the book "A taste of Comber" by Len Ball & Desmond Rainey ISBN 1 870132 06 8
        A book about Comber The town and its history, The White Row Press.
        A good read for those interested in local history.
(Paddy) Blair Mayne ©: Mayne Family
James J. Magennis RN ©: RNA Belfast.
Note:- The Official Headquarters documentation of the Original U.V.F. which includes personnel lists, promotions, dismissals, intelligence, and training schedules from 1911 onwards is undergoing conservation. It includes lists of Officers and Men who were "Called to the Colours" and served with the 36th (Ulster) Division and other units during WW1. Inquiries to adria (at) sixgolds.com

The Patience Strong Poem
They have passed beyond the stress and storm of mortal strife -
through the gateways of the Morning to a wider life ...

Mourn not their departing. Question not God's ways and means,
Their hands are set to higher tasks midst fair and lovelier scenes.

Great has been their sacrifice - crusading for the Truth - Joy
and glory of their manhood, love and life and youth ... Asking
only this of us - that we with faith and pride - remember in the
after years the things for which they died.

VIOLETTE
This is the poem Violette used to encypher her messages and has become
famous through the film... "Carve her name with pride."

YOURS
The life that I have 
is all that I have
And the life that I have, 
Is yours.

The love that I have, 
of the life that I have, 
is yours 
And yours
And yours.

A sleep I shall have,
A rest I shall have,
Yet death will be but a pause.
For the peace of my years 
in the long green grass,
Shall be yours 
And yours
And yours.

ORDER of SERVICE The personnel marching in the parade gather in St Mary's Car Park at approximately 10.15 am, it is best if you attend before this time as there is a lot of organising to do by the Parade Commander and to collect your wreath.. The parade is assembled in the reverse order in which the wreaths will be laid. Private Representatives, Civil Organisations The Armed Services and finally the Royal British Legion Comber. Once the parade is correctly ordered it is called to attention, on command, marches in the direction as indicated by the red arrows. As the parade area is small, mark time until the bearers for Comber R.B.L. are in position, then parade "Halt" is called, followed by "About Turn". This procedure leaves the parade in the correct order for wreath laying. The order of wreath laying generally follows that at the Cenotaph, Whitehall but may vary slightly to suit local needs. This will be printed in the "Order of Service" sheets distributed prior to the start of the ceremony. The best place for the public to view the proceedings is to take a position at the North West corner of the Garden of Remembrance and makes it easy for you to place your crosses and other momentos. EXAMPLE:- The Order of Service will vary a little each year:- Welcome Major S. W. Lindsay UD. Call to Worship Rev.Prof. R.A.B. Mollan F.R.C.S. Prayer and Lord's Prayer Very Rev J.Gunn P.P. Reading Rev. Cannon. J.P.O. Barry M.A., PhD HYMN O God our help in ages past.  St Anne Reading Rev. R.Mackay B.A. B.D. Prayer of Intercession Rev. J. Alderdice B.A., B.D. Statement of Remembrance    Rev. W. Gordon B.A., B.D.PhD. WREATH LAYING Exhortation Lt. Col. A. Montgomery. LAST POST TWO MINUTE SILENCE REVEILLE The Command Lt. Col. A. Montgomery. NATIONAL ANTHEM Benediction Rev. I. Gilpin B.A., B.D. The Chaplaincy of the Royal British Legion in Comber is circulated annually amongst the various denominations and Churches of the town. The Clergy will be correctly listed in the leaflet distributed immediately prior to the commemoration service. Wreaths are normally laid by the following organisations:- The Royal British Legion, Comber Branch. The Royal Navy. The Royal Irish Regiment Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The Royal Air Force. The Merchant Navy. The Regimental Association of the Ulster Defence Regiment Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. The Regimental Association of the Royal Irish Regiment Gallantry Cross. The Royal Ulster Constabulary, George Cross. The Western Front Association. Newtownards Borough Council. The Police Service for Northern Ireland. The Royal Ulster Constabulary, George Cross Association. The Royal Ulster Constabulary, George Cross, Widow's Association. The families of Comber and District men killed on duty. The Northern Ireland Fire Service, Comber. The Northern Ireland Prison Service. The Army Cadets. The St., John Ambulance Brigade. 1st Comber Boys' Brigade. 2nd Comber Boys' Brigade. 1st Comber Scout Troop. 1st Comber Girl Guide Company. 1st Comber Girls' Brigade. 2nd Comber Girls' Brigade. The Rotary Club of Comber. Comber Community Development Association. The British Institute of Funeral Directors. Mr Tom and Maureen McParland. (Private) Lt. Col. Blair Mayne D.S.O. & Bars TESCO Comber. Members of the Public may place crosses in the Garden of Remembrance at the foot of the War Memorial when called forward by the Parade Commander.

British Military Operations 1945 to 2005 Including Humanitarian activities. British land, sea and air forces have given valuable service in many places round the World. Some of the jobs they have undertaken, even in peacetime are challenging in the extreme. They come to pick the broken pieces of humanity after disasters and try to restore something approaching normality to the victims. Over 12,000 have been killed or injured doing these duties. They serve us, they are the ambassadors of our nation, and we should do all that we can to support them. "Vivimus ut serviamus"
1945-48 Palestine Disturbances 1945-Present, West Germany/Unified Germany 1946-47 Egyptian Riots 1946-48 Indian Riots 1948-49 Berlin Airlift 1948-60 Malaya Emergency 1950-53 Korean War 1952-60 Kenya 1955-59 Cyprus 1956-Suez Military Intervention 1963-65 Brunei Emergency 1964-67 Aden and Radfan 1966-Zambian oil lift (Rhodesian embargo) 1967- Hong Kong "Red Guards" Riots 1967-Belize (Earthquake) 1968-Bermuda Riot dispersal 1968-69 Antigua Civil unrest 1968-UK (Torre Canyon disaster) 1969-present Northern Ireland 1969-1976 Dhofar (Oman) 1969 Turkey (Earthquake) 1970 Romania (Flooding) 1971-Pakistan Refugee evacuation 1971-Pakistan (Famine) 1972-UK (Scottish Islands food supplies) 1972 Nicaragua (Earthquake) 1973-Egypt UN Peacekeeping support 1974-Cyprus Evacuation of Nationals 1974-present Cyprus (United Nations) 1978-Lebanon UN (supporting Fijian troops) 1979-Iran Evacuation of civilians 1979-80- Rhodesia Disarming fighting factions 1980-New Hebrides Civil unrest 1982-The Falkland Islands Conflict 1983-Lebanon, Peacekeeping 1983-Aden, Evacuation of British Nationals (civil war) 1973-Nepal (Food and relief supplies) 1973-Algeria (Flooding)	1973-Cambodia (Food relief) 1973 Pakistan (Flooding) 1973-Senegal (Food) 1974-75 Australia (Cyclone) 1975 Angola (evacuation) 1976 Turkey (Earthquake) 1978 UK (Amoco Cadiz) 1979 Jamaica (Flooding) 1984-85 Ethiopia (Famine) 1987-88 Gulf,Mine sweeping / clearance 1989 Monserrat (Hurricane) 1991-present The Gulf War and "No Fly-Zones" 1991-Kurdistan, Kurdish "safe areas" 1991-2001-N. Iraq Northern "No fly" Zone 1991-2001-S. Iraq Southern "No fly" Zone 1992-present Bosnia 1992-2001Bosnia, UN Peacekeeping (post civil war) 1993 Guatemala (Refugees) 1994 Rwanda (Medical supplies) 1994-Yemen, Evacuation of various embassy staffs 1995 Monserrat/Antigua (Volcano) 1995 Somalia (Relief supplies) 1995-Angola, Peacekeeping (post civil war) 1996-Rwanda Support for mass grave locating 1997-Congo, Evacuation British nationals (civil unrest) 1998-Congo, Evacuation British nationals (civil war) 1999-Kosovo, NATO Peacekeeping (post civil war) 1999-East Timor,UN Peacekeeping (civil unrest) 2000-present Sierra Leone Peacekeeping 2000-Mozambique (Flooding) 2001-Macedonia 2001 Disarming fighting factions 2001-Afghanistan Stabilisation Force 2001-India (Earthquake) 2001-Afghanistan (Food Aid) 2003- Remove Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq 2003- Stabilisation duties in the Congo 2003-Cote d'Ivorie, Evacuation of British nationals 2005-Op Garron Aid relief flights, "The Tsunami " 2005-Op Incirlik Aid relief flights, Pakistan earthquake
My thanks to UNITED KINGDOM MOBILE AIR MOVEMENTS SQUADRON (UKMAMS) Website for this information. http://www.ukmams.co.uk/History.htm

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