Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Joint ceremony to mark Ireland’s trench dead
Governments unite to remember World War One battle
THE centenary of the Battle of Messines Ridge, where soldiers from both communities fought side-byside in the trenches, is to be marked by a joint ceremony.
The event will take place at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Flanders, Belgium, on June 7. It will mark the anniversary of the first day of the week-long battle, Secretary of State James Brokenshire announced. It was the first occasion in World War One when soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division and 16th Irish Division saw action together. The capture of the Messines salient in the summer of 1917, in part due to the detonation of a series of devastating underground mines below the German lines on the first day of the battle, marked a significant victory for the Allies. Noting the “historic and symbolic” significance of the event, Mr Brokenshire said the UK and Irish governments were committed to working together to deliver a shared ceremony of commemoration. He added: “It is an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought at Messines Ridge, as well as to further strengthen the important relationship that exists between the United Kingdom and Ireland.” Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “Those from the island of Ireland were brought together by diverse motivations but they shared a common purpose as soldiers and, caught up in the grim realities of war, no doubt a common desire – to survive and return home.” Members of the public wishing to express an interest in attending should go to www.goo.gl/grbdsj.