Act of remembrance staged in memory of Battle for Hitler Line fallen

The event at Dunmore Park took place instead of the annual commemoration in Carrickfergus.

The North Irish Horse commemorate one of the hardest fought battles in the history of a local Army regiment in the east Antrim town, but this year’s event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many members of what is now B (North Irish Horse) Squadron of The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry died in action during the battle, on May 23 1944.

The North Irish Horse Regiment went into action supporting Canadian infantry in Italy in 1943. The battle achieved its aim, but at a terrible cost, with over 1,000 Canadians killed or missing and 34 officers and men of the North Irish Horse Regiment killed, 36 injured and 25 tanks destroyed.

Detailing this year’s act of remembrance, a spokesperson for Combat Recce - The Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry, said: “Normally, OC B Squadron would have the honour of leading the men and women of his Squadron on parade through the town of Carrickfergus. Normally, with pomp and ceremony we would remember the sacrifice made that day so long ago. Today we could not.

“Today however, a small group, representing B Squadron, the Association and the regiment conducted an act of remembrance in Dunmore Park in order that the occasion be marked. You, and all those who would ordinarily mark the occasion were with us in spirit as we remembered.”

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