Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch
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Casualties
No Mem Ref Service No Rank Name Regiment / Service Battalion Date Of Death
1 03 13661 Corp Irvine, Thomas Andrew Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 9th Battalion 09/05/1916
2 02 17505 Pte. Fleming, William Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Battalion 01/07/1916
3 1 2429 Gnr Hamilton, William Royal Field Artillery 275th Brigade 02/08/1916
4 04 20783 Sgt. Irvine M.M., John Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 9th Battalion 06/12/1917
5 05 18-548 Pte. Irwin, Thomas Henry US Army 58th Battalion 15/07/1918
Location
Town : Fivemiletown
Latitude : 54.386306
Lontitude : -7.257771
Date Unveiled : 01/07/1919
Fivemiletown

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Memorial History
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 17th July 1919
An interesting ceremony took place on Tuesday evening at Timpany Orange Hall when a Memorial Tablet in memory of the seven brave members of Timpany L.O.L. No 889 who fell in the war was unveiled. The friends of the deceased met together with the Masters and Deputy Masters of the lodges in the district, and members of Timpany lodge, and tea was served to all present.
Br. Rev J McDowell presided and said they had come there to honour the dead who had fought a great fight and kept the faith. He called upon Br. William Coote, M.P., (District Master), to unveil the Memorial and in doing so Br. Coote said he was sure no mother would regret risking the lives of any of her dear ones for the Empire in saving it from tyranny. It showed patriotism, that Britons were Britons still and would do anything rather than let the old Empire fall. They felt proud of them amidst their sorrow. The Orangemen of that district, when called upon for help, rallied to the old flag and only for them where would they be now? Not at home enjoying their land of liberty. If the Huns had succeeded they would have made hewers of wood and drawers of water. It would take generations to realise what they had done for them. They felt proud that the loyalists obeyed the call. These men only saved Europe and the world, but preserved their amiable rights and liberties. If none of these Ulstermen had gone, England and Scotland would have scorned them, but these men were no cowards, they stood the test.
It was a sad melancholy pleasure to perform this little ceremony. It was a great thing to hold up the old Empire which was honoured throughout the world. There were appeals coming from the small nations of Europe and Asia to give them help, and it would make one proud to be a Briton. This was a mission for civil and religious freedom and he felt doubly honoured to be allowed to unveil that tablet. He was very proud of that Lodge as it had sent so many away to fight for them but he deeply regretted there were some who were not to return.
At this stage Mrs McDowell played the hymn �Peace Perfect Peace� after which Br. Coote read the names of the deceased members and went on to say that their names would live long in the memory. Their hearts went out in sympathy to the friends of the deceased, and they felt proud that these boys kept the savages back from over running our country. They all felt very proud of the Orange Institution as it never stood as high as it did at the present time. It was today the greatest force in their civil life and the only institution which would solve their domestic problems. It was brave lads who stood up and saved men, women and children of the country and they could not have done more. He would not like to miss a meeting of that kind.
Br. William Watson, Deputy Master, Fivemiletown R.B.P, said it afforded him great pleasure to be present and add his tribute to what the Honourable Member for South Tyrone had said. One of the late brethren said he would join the Army as it was every man�s duty to do so. They regretted greatly what happened to these men in the field of battle and they would have been very glad to have seen them back again.
The Chairman then made a few remarks and congratulated the Lodge which had kept the names of their fallen green. It was a noble death, they were not dead but sleeping. It was their duty to keep their memory green and to tell their children what these noble lads had none for them.
Br. John Doherty, W.M., of Murley Lodge proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman and Br. Coote. They were all pleased he said, to have their District Master there to give his sympathy to the relatives of these heroes, and they offered to their mothers and sisters their sincere sympathy. Br. Mr Robert Early, W.M., Fivemiletown Lodge seconded the resolution, and said he wished to convey to the bereaved his sincere sympathy.
Br. William Johnston, W.M., Lendrums True Blues, No 1643 supported the vote of thanks and said he was pleased to be there that night at the unveiling of the Memorial. It was a great honour to the Master and members to erect such a Memorial that would be there for generations to come to show what these brave men had done for them. He also made a strong appeal for new members to take their places and carry on the work.
Br. Coote in reply, said he appreciated their kindness very much. They had stirring times ahead of them and they must stand together for the next nine months as the Home Rule Bill must be amended now, or taken off the Statute Book, and therefore we were face to face with a great crisis. If they stood together there would be no danger of the Ulster people being coerced. He congratulated the district on the excellent show they made in the war. It showed the world they were with Britain heat and soul. (Applause).
The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Mrs McDowell provided the music on the occasion.