Linfield service of remembrance

Posted : 30th October 2023 at 08:02:11

On Saturday afternoon at Windsor Park the Linfield remembrance service took place in the club’s office.

Chairman Roy McGivern opened the service with words of welcome before handing over to academy coach Johnny Jamison who spoke about the club’s war memorial in France and the terrific friendships that have been made with Leyton Orient football club.

He also spoke about Fredrick Fisher who once played for the club but was killed, with his fellow air crew when their Lancaster bomber was shot down over France returning home after a bombing raid on Stuttgart.

Then club director Drew McCoubrey took to the stage and recited the famous poem by John McCrea ‘In Flanders fields’. Linfield vice president Glen Meikle then recited the follow up poem to Flanders fields ‘Keeping the faith’.

Club chaplain Paul Reid then gave a short bible reading before the piper Francie Strain played a moving lament as the poppy wreaths were laid. The first poppy wreath was laid by Linfield chairman Roy McGivern. It was also great to see our club president Peter Lunn lay a poppy wreath on behalf of Leyton Orient football club and their supporters. It was a real lovely gesture from the London based club who lost three players during the Great War of 1914 - 1918.

Also our France and Flanders tour guide Phil Hamilton laid a poppy wreath on behalf of the people of Bertrancourt in the Somme region of Northern France where the Linfield war memorial is situated.

Vice president Jackie Stewart and academy scout Ricky Mcintyre both laid Wreaths as did club ambassafors Alan Fraser and Eric Bowyer.

Young academy goalkeeper Jacob paid his own little tribute by laying a poppy cross and reciting a moving little poem very fit for the occasion.

Academy goalkeeping Coach Johnny Jamison recited the Linfield poem he wrote a few years back, ‘the spirits from the trenches’. The same poem is etched into the granite on the club’s war memorial in Bertrancourt, France, when the last post was played, Johnny then read out the club’s roll of honour to the moving music of Elgar’s Nimrod before club chaplain Paul Reid said a closing prayer. Chairman Roy McGivern then brought proceedings to an end with the national anthem. It was a lovely day but a sombre day remembering those young players who laid down the glory of their youth upon the altar of freedom.

A special mention must go to our young academy goalkeeper Jacob who's only 9 years of age, as he certainly did Linfield very proud with his little tribute.

Also our academy players Max Sykes and Matthew Belshaw who did a great job standing as a guard of honour while proceedings were taking place, and not forgetting our piper Francie Strain who gave a great performance as always, also Ronnie McCaughey and David Gillen from Cregagh Wandsworth and Ormeau Royal British Legion.

A massive thank you to everyone who attended this service of remembrance.

It was their duty to serve but it’s our duty to remember. God bless them all. AFJ.