Month: September 2020

Visit to Graves – Remembering Murray the Siege Hero

Each year the Murray and Mitchelburne Clubs lay a wreath on the graves of Col. Adam Murray and Col. Mitchelburne respectively. The annual visit to Old Glendermott Cemetery took place on Saturday 19th September.

As with so much in 2020, in the context of COVID19 restrictions, the visit was scaled down with just a number of Officers from each Club attending.  For the Murray Club, joining the President, Bro. Gordon McMorris, were Bro. Edgar Laird, Vice President, Bro. David Austin, Chaplain, Bro. David Hoey, Secretary and Bro. John Goligher, Treasurer.

Bro. David Austin, Chaplain of the Murray Club, opened the short ceremony with prayer.

Once the wreaths were laid, and the Salute made, he closed proceedings with prayer.

Though few of us in number, the traditions that define our Association were again maintained and honoured. We hope and pray that in 2021 we will be able to return to a full Service at the Graves to honour the heroes.

In lieu of the usual collection following a service at the graves, the two Clubs will donate £50 to the Benevolent Fund.

A remarkable life well lived.

There are many Murray members with stories to tell, though few might match those of Bro. John Mills who sadly passed away at the weekend at the age of 96.  John was a WW2 veteran and was among the first British troops to arrive in Japan after the atomic bombs were dropped, and was proud to tell of being a member of the colour party that raised the Union Flag in Japan.

In 2015 the Belfast Telegraph told his story of being among the first allied soldiers to land in Japan after the surrender.

John was enrolled as a member of the Thames & Avon Murray Club at Oxford on 25th November 1998. That was the day that the Club was relaunched after a period of inactivity. He was ‘Derry Made’ at the Relief Celebrations the following August.  John was originally from Armoy, County Antrim, and he lived in Reading. He had a second home in Larne where he stayed during the summer months and this enabled him to attend the main Loyal Order parades in Northern Ireland. John was a member of all three Loyal Orders.

John was a true gentleman and he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him. He is to be buried in Armoy. 

A long life well lived.