"Unwept, unhonoured and unsung"

 
In the past week or so it has been almost impossible to look at a newspaper or listen to TV or Radio without a story of honouring members of the British Armed Forces and Home Front personnel of World War Two.

Among those honoured we had the Bevan Boys; Italy Star survivors, the Atlantic convoys (now finally getting a deserved statue in Londonderry), the Russian Murmansk convoys and even a pardon for the Irish army deserters to the British Army during WW2.

I almost made a Freudian slip and said ‘now we have the Dishonoured’ - but even that would be incorrect - you can’t be dishonoured if you don’t exist!

I am talking about some Northern Ireland members of the National Fire Service/ Auxiliary Fire Service personnel of World War Two.

The following is only one example of an honourable man who was air-brushed out of his place when the history of World War Two was written - according to the Unionist political parties!

A Londonderry man, who, as an "Old Contemptible" served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and fought in some of the bloodiest battles of World War One, again offered his services at the outset of World War Two.

Considering his hard won experience - having been a regular from 1908 to the end of World War One - a first preference would have been with the LDF as the Home Guard were then known.

Unfortunately, he - like many others - because of their assumed ‘nationalist’ persuasion was effectively dissuaded from enlisting.

Despite this, but determined to “do his bit” yet again, he opted to join the AFS/NFS and served throughout WW2. This included service in Belfast during the worst periods of the Belfast blitz.

His son recently decided to re-mount his father’s campaign medals and realised his father had not been awarded the Defence Medal for this service during WW2; he applied to the Cabinet Office for same.

After extensive correspondence he was appalled to learn that, not only was his father’s service NOT recorded but no details for the NFS men involved had been reported by the revelent authorities to the Cabinet Office for inclusion in WW2 records.

Sadly it seems like an air-brushing out of many gallant men who were always there when they were needed most. Men, of proven worth who we should be proud of. So much for parity of esteem!

Blogger: Blogger Dashboard

Blogger: Blogger Dashboard

The Jazz train is back in town!

This Thursday 2nd May the opening notes will sound to usher in the 12th City of Derry Jazz Festival, and pubs and clubs all over Derry will be throwing open their doors to the thousands of revellers making their way along the Jazz trail over the weekend. From jazz to jump, and soul to swing there isn’t a box unticked when it comes to music. The fun begins on Thursday evening with the Mayor’s Charity event in aid of Foyle Search and Rescue, featuring Derry Soulseekers, The Red Stripe Band and of course the Jive Aces, setting the tone for the rest of what promises to be an amazing festival weekend. Among the highlights this year are of course the sensational Overtones, and for the first time the city’s newest concert arena, The Venue at Ebrington, will be hosting a Grand Vintage Ball on Saturday evening. But also look out for The Dark Energy Trio, David Lyttle & Jason Rebello, Brass Impact Big Band, Dana Masters Band, Ben Klock (Celtronic), Beverley Craven, Neil Cowley Trio, Pink Martini, The Stars from the Commitments plus so much more! Local talent will as always be out in force with performances by some of the city’s finest musicians, including local jazz icon Gay McIntyre. He is joined by son Paul McIntyre, as well as the Derry Soulseekers, The Foyle Showband, Ursula McHugh, John Leighton and a whole host of local bands. Over 90% of the performances are free thanks to sponsors Guinness, and a full jazz programme is available at www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com. To find out all the latest festival gossip over the weekend check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cityofderryjazzfestival