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October 2003
conference, funded jointly by the Belfast
Telegraph and the Irish News was held in the Island
Centre in Lisburn. The challenge before the meeting was to
follow the example of Donegal and the County and City of Dublin
in preparing a book listing all the fatal casualties, born or
resident in Belfast, who died during the First World War
1914-18.
A
committee was formed with Sir Kenneth Bloomfield as chairman.
Monsignor Tom Toner, Administrator of St Peter’s pro-cathedral
and Dean Houston McKelvey, of St Anne’s, agreed to act as
vice-chairmen and patrons. Work then began collecting the
information.
This was
not as straightforward as may be imaged. Over half of World War
One records were destroyed by fire caused by German bombing
during the Second World War. Yet, from various sources, the
committee have now assembled some 5,300 names. These men and
women, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish, are commemorated in 620
cemeteries or memorials across twenty nine different countries
The
members of the committee are convinced that many names are still
missing. We are now appealing to the people of Belfast for help.
Individuals, families, churches and other organizations are
invited to inspect this list and supply any details they can
about those on it. If names are missing the committee would like
to know.
Copies of
the list are available for inspection on 11 November 2006 in the
following libraries: Central, Chichester, Falls, Finaghy,
Holywood Arches and Shankill. The committee can then be
contacted, either by email or by writing to:
Book of Honour, 37-41 May,
Street, Belfast BT1 4DN
You can then email the committee on:
Info@
journeyofremembering.org
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