Dervock remembers Battle of Trafalgar

The Royal Naval Association (RNA) and Royal British Legion (RBL) turned out to march to Dervock war memorial for a short service to mark the Battle of Trafalgar on Saturday 21 October.

The service also remembered Royal Marines Captain Charles Adair, who was killed on HMS Victory just before Admiral Lord Nelson was struck by a musket ball at the battle in 1805. Captain Adair's family had links to the village in County Antrim.

The parade was followed by a reception in the Allen & Adair Memorial Hall which was also attended by a number of local Dervock residents.

The hall in Dervock, which belongs to Derrykeighan Parish Church, features a stained glass window depicting Nelson and Adair on HMS Victory shortly before their deaths.

The following day on Sunday 22 October the RNA Belfast branch attended a service at Mary Magdalene Church in Belfast to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar.

The service was preceded by a parade from the RNA Club on Great Victoria Street to the church by members of the RNA, along with Sea Cadets and Marine Cadets led by the Albertbridge Accordion band.

Members of the parade were greeted by RNA Area 12 (Ireland) President, Commander Peter Campbell LVO OBE RN Rtd, and Senior Naval Officer Northern Ireland, Commander Rob Milligan, as they arrived at the church.