| THE "36TH ULSTER DIVISION" |
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| "THE ADVANCE" |
| The 36th Ulster Division were born in 1914 as a direct appeal for people to join the war in France. Made up of almost entirely of members of Lord Carson's army, the Ulster Volunteer Force, this new division trained for war on the grounds of Clandeboye Estate in Bangor under the shadow of Helens tower,a replica of which stands in France {Ulster Tower} as a memorial to those who died. Two years on found the 6th in France at Thiepval wood and on July 1st 1916 the division went into battle alongside fourteen other British Divisions and five French divisions. On the orders of General Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief of the British forces, their objective was to attack the German Infantry at their strongest point. It was Sir Douglas Haigs hope to overcome the enemy at their strongest would de-morilise the entire German Army. The 36th Ulster Division were chosen to attack north of Thiepval, along the ridges of the River Ancre and the 'impregnable' Schwaben Redoubt. |
| After a night of heavy artillery bombardment the German trenches were thought to be considerably weakened and ready for an assault and so in the early hours of July 1st, the shrill whistles signalled the advance. The men of the 36th swarmed out of their trenches amid ancient battle crys of 'No Surrender' and 'Remember the Boyne' and '1690'. Many wore their Orange Sashes as a mark of remembrance of the Battle of the Boyne, which was also fought on July 1st. Around 130,000 British and French soldiers charged the German defences only to find that the German infantry had not been weakened as much as had been thought. They came under heavy fire and soldier after soldier fell in a hail of bullets. The Ulster Division found itself cut off from their allies and almost surrounded by German infantry. Faced with little choice, the Ulstermen charged on, their comrades falling all around, and stormed the Schwaben Redoubt. The 'impregnable' fortress was captured and held by the men of the 36th. |
| Ulster lost so many young men during the Battle of the Somme, the 36th Ulster Division losing over 5,000 in two short days. Of the 15th Royal Irish Rifles, only seventy survived the battle and the British Army lost over 60,000 soldiers on that one terrible day in 1916. Almost every family in Ulster mourned it's dead in the aftermath of the Somme and to this very day and forever we will remember the valiant 36th Ulster Division and others who defended Ulster amidst the poppy fields of France. |
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| Lt. G.S Cather 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. |
| Pte. R. QUIGG 12TH ROYAL IRISH RIFLES |
| Pte. W.F. Mcfadzean 14th Royal Irish Rifles |
| BELOW ARE SOME OF THE BRAVE ULSTERMEN WHO WERE AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS. |
| 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, |
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