On Wednesday 12th June 2013 the Memorial Case and books were dedicated and unveiled at the Royal British Legion Premises in Dobbin Street.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City and District Council Sylvia McRoberts MBE who unveiled the Memorial Case and books
In the past around Remembrance week, former servicemen placed Poppy crosses on the graves of other comrades who had served and were either killed in service or who had left the services and died of natural causes. Now most of those who carried out this task have themselves passed away. and the Act of Remembrance has almost ceased.
The City of Armagh branch of the Royal British Legion was approached last year by some people with the idea of getting this task started again. Last November Armagh Legion gave out 200 crosses for placing on graves of ex-servicemen in the Armagh area.
These events prompted Armagh Royal British Legion to do a deeper study into the numbers involved. So far the Legion has come up with over 700 names including many buried in Europe and other parts of the world during WW1 and WW2.
Research continues and it is anticipated that the total could be nearer to 1000.
The cost of placing a cross on graves for this number of people is unsustainable and instead of doing this, it was decided to make Books of Remembrance with a page dedicated to each former servicemen.
This is a work in progress and will take time to complete. The RBL needs more details for many of the records they hold. Things such as Unit, Service number, Date of death and where the person is buried. If you had a relative who served in any branch of the Services and has now passed away, please contact RBL Armagh Tel. 02837523021 or email rblarmagh@hotmail.co.uk
