Footballing Great War soldiers remembered with new plaque

A memorial plaque dedicated to two members of the Inniskilling Fusiliers who fought in the First World War has been erected at Limavady Showgrounds.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Nov 2014, 06:00 BST
Bobby Magee (second from left) pictured with family members, after helping to unveil the memorial plaque at Limavady Football Club on SaturdayBobby Magee (second from left) pictured with family members, after helping to unveil the memorial plaque at Limavady Football Club on Saturday
Bobby Magee (second from left) pictured with family members, after helping to unveil the memorial plaque at Limavady Football Club on Saturday

On Saturday Limavady Borough Council Mayor, Alderman Alan Robinson, unveiled the plaque which was dedicated by Reverend Samuel McVeigh, rector of Christ Church, Drumachose.

The plaque was in memory of Private Robert Kennedy (15656, 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) who was killed at Passchendaele on October 14, 1918 and Private George Morrison (19544, 10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) killed at the Somme, July 1, 1916.

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Organisers said the plate would also stand in recognition of all the other football players of Limavady and district who served.

Relations of the two soldiers attended the event, travelling from across Northern Ireland.

Great nephew of Robert Kennedy, Dallas Houston, and nephew of George Morrison, Robert Magee, assisted the mayor to unveil the plaque.

Mr Houston brought along his great uncle’s medal won playing for Limavady FC in 1913.

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The Limavady branch of the Royal British Legion provided standard bearers and participated in the ceremony.

Limavady Football Club vice chairman David Brewster said: “The club felt that in this centenary year of the Great War, we ought to commemorate those players from the town who served, and we were pleased to include in George Morrison a player from what would then have been our great rivals in Limavady Celtic.

“Many of their team mates served and survived. After the War, when they returned to the Roe Valley, they formed new teams, with names redolent of their time in the forces, such as Allies FC and Comrades FC while L imavady United was re-formed in June 1919.

“We were humbled by the support given by the Royal British Legion, the mayor and the local community, in ensuring that we do not forget these ordinary young men who were faced with extraordinary challenges.

“The club would also like to thank Alistair Harper for his assistance in tracing the records of the two soldiers and the members of the Limavady branch of the Royal British Legion for attending.”