LARNE REMEMBERS THE FALLEN

The cadet motto is to “Inspire to Achieve” and Larne Detachment did just that for this year’s Remembrance Sunday 2020 Tribute.

 Despite the current restrictions which prevented them paying their respects by parading with the Larne Royal British Legion (RBL).  They came up with some truly inspirational ideas.  

 As you drive along the Roddens you may have noticed the wonderful display of poppies which has already received a lot of interest on social media!  This tribute for Remembrance Sunday was recently erected by the Larne Army Cadet Force (ACF).  Every cadet and adult volunteer was involved in this challenge from recycling the plastic bottles, the red spray and a few other extras to make the large amount of poppies required for the cascade. Cadet Peter Robinson even made poppies on his 3D Printer! 

Due to social distancing it was then up to the instructors to bring the poppy creation together.  Now completed this beautiful centre piece has really been the “talk of the town”.   

The 1^st (NI) ACF Battalion where also involved in a project led by the RSM.  This involved researching and tending the graves of war heroes in the area and in turn donating to the RBL.  The Larne cadets went above and beyond to lay the poppy crosses.  Laying 50 poppy crosses at various graves in Larne and the surrounding area.  More than 10 grave yards were visited from as far as Ballyclare to Kilroot including the memorial of an animal!

This was Paddy in the pigeon the only Irish Animal the receive the Dicken Medal (which is the equivalent to a Victory Cross) for his flight from Normandy in an amazing 4 hrs 50 mins carrying vital coded information ahead of the D Day landings in WW2.  Paddy was born and raised by his owner Andrew Hughes Carnlough and handed over to the RAF along with several other of his pigeons.

Company Commander Sergeant Major Instructor John Johnston who this year represented the cadets by laying a wreath at the town’s memorial said:

“I’m very proud of our cadets and I would personally like to thank each and everyone them for there help and dedication on all these projects”.

Finally on Sunday the 8^th November 2020, this year’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Cadet Sergeant Major Emma Ellison from Larne Detachment did C Company proud as she attended alongside HM Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim Mr David McCorkell as he layed a wreath on behalf of HM The Queen at the Cenoraph, Market Square, Antrim.   Although Emma was appointed as Lord Lieuteant’s Cadet at the beginning of the year, restrictions has meant that this was actually her first outing in her current role. 

Cadet Sergeant Major Emma Ellison said:

“It was a real honour and privilege to be attending alongside the Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim and representing cadets at today’s event”

This has been a very different Remembrance Sunday for everyone, but Larne has overcome these obstacles and certainly put in the effortto pay tribute to those who served our country.

If you are aged 12 -18 and would like to join Larne cadets go to www.armycadets.com and register online.