Dedication of Granite Wall Memorial

The Great Day of Unveiling and Dedication of the Granite Memorial outside the former Headquarters of 31 Group ROC, Knox Rd, Lisburn City on 16th October 2007 was a huge success with a large attendance of 31 Group ROCA members and guests. Knox Road is located inside the Thiepval Army Barracks which is HQ NI.

We were so delighted that the National Chairman of the ROCA, Mr John Sharpe, took the time to travel over from Scotland to be with us on this very important occasion.
Also among those present were Group Captain David J Stubbs OBE ADC Senior Royal Air Force Officer NI and Station Commander RAF Aldergrove, 31 Group ROCA Chairman Mr Malcolm Napier MBE, Lt Colonel Ewan Turner representing the GOC NI and the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor James Tinsley.

The 31 Group ROCA Standard carried by Brian Fitzsimons and the Lisburn Branch RAFA Standard, with their escorts under the charge of our member Jim Baird OBE, marched smartly up Knox Road to be in position for the unveiling and short service which would include the ROCA prayer.

Our Chairman Mr Malcolm Napier MBE welcomed everybody and spoke for a few minutes. He then requested the Mayor, Councillor James Tinsley to unveil the Memorial Plaque. This was followed by a short Service conducted by the Senior Chaplain to HM Forces NI Rev Christopher Broddle assisted by Rev Alan Knox, a former RAF Chaplain.
The ceremony was completed with a short speech by Mr John Sharpe, National Chairman ROCA, followed by a fine reception in the Garrison Church during which Group Captain David Stubbs OBE spoke for a short time.

Then the National Chairman Mr John Sharpe made some presentations on behalf of 31 Group ROCA to; The Mayor of Lisburn City Councillor James Tinsley (a mounted photograph of the Airmen's Memorial Window at Eglantine Church); Lt Colonel Ewan Turner representing the GOC NI ( An ROC Wall shield); Warrant Officer 2 Gregory Taylor, our link man with the Army HQ ( a bottle of Bushmills!).

31 Group ROCA member Harry Briggs prepared an excellent Service sheet with historical notes which was distributed to everybody present and photographs were taken by many members and by the Army Press Office.

Paddy Malone
(Hon Sec 31 Group ROCA)

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WO2 Greg Taylor (Mercian Regt) (our link man with
Thiepval Army Barracks) and Paddy Malone

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Brian Fitzsimons with WO2 Greg Taylor and
Paddy Malone.


WO2 Greg Taylor (Mercian Regt) (our link man with Thiepval Army Barracks) and Paddy Malone


Ann Fitzsimons, Lt Colonel Ewan Turner Deputy GOC (NI), Group Captain David J Stubbs OBE ADC
Senior Royal Air Force Officer (NI) and Paddy Malone

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Harold Briggs ROCA Magheralin, Nigel Coulter Lisburn Branch RAFA Standard Bearer, Jim Baird OBE ROCA Campsie, Londonderry and then Brian Fitzsimons 31 Group ROCA Standard Bearer.

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National Chairman Mr John Sharpe addressing the guests in front of the Memorial.

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31 Group ROCA Chairman, Malcolm Napier MBE, Group Captain David J Stubbs OBE ADC Senior Royal Air Force Officer (NI) and Station Commander RAF Aldergrove, Rev Alan Knox former Chaplain to H M Forces, Lt Colonel Ewan Turner Deputy GOC (NI) and then the Mayor of Lisburn City Councillor James Tinsley unveiling the Memorial.

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Ann Fitzsimons, Brian Fitzsimons and Eileen Phillips.

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National Chairman Mr John Sharpe presenting on behalf of 31 Group ROCA, to the Mayor of Lisburn City Councillor James Tinsley, a mounted photograph of the Airmen's Memorial Window at All Saints' Church Eglantine near Lisburn. The photo shows 2 ROC badges, top right and top left in gold. The Window was originally presented to the Church by 31 Group ROC in 1990 one year before standown.

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[28nov07 16:30]