Ards Memorial Group

02/11/2026

💚 ARDS MEMORIAL GROUP – COMMUNITY, HISTORY & MOVING FORWARD 💚

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming Jeff Magill, former Lord Mayor of Ards (2002), to our AMG Community Hub in Newtownards.

Jeff spent time catching up with our committee member Darren Hunsdale, hearing about the work we’re doing, our plans for the future and our commitment to making a positive difference in the local community.

Darren has his own story to tell. Being an ex loyalist prisoner, having served time in prison many years ago, he has since chosen a different path, dedicating his time and efforts to giving something positive back to the community through the Ards Memorial Group.

We believe people should be recognised not only for their past, but for the positive contributions they make today.

At AMG, we’re about more than remembering our history. We’re about bringing people together, building relationships, supporting local people and creating something our town can be proud of.

It was fantastic to see Jeff taking an interest in our work, sharing stories and looking back at some of the history displayed in our hub.

👏 Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to visit and for your interest in what we’re building.

💚 ARDs MEMORIAL GROUP

Remembering Our Past. Building a Better Future.

01/11/2026

🎄 WE’RE DOING IT AGAIN THIS YEAR! 🎄

Ards Memorial Group is proud to support the Cash for Kids Christmas Toy Appeal once again this year. ❤️

We are asking for new toys and gifts to help local children this Christmas and would really appreciate any support from our community.

A huge thank you to G4 Logistics for kindly allowing us to use their upstairs space to store presents.

📍 Drop-off Address:
55a North Street, Newtownards, Northern Ireland, BT23 4DE

📞 For more information, please contact:
Tracy: 07566 745016
Joanne: +44 7581 258751

We would also like to say a big thank you to The Good House of Hair and Beauty for their continued help and support — it is very much appreciated. 💚

Let’s come together again and make a difference for local children this Christmas. 🎁

24/10/2026

🇬🇧 REMEMBERING CORPORAL CHANNING DAY RAMC

Today, 24 October, Ards Memorial Group remembers Corporal Channing Day, a young woman who grew up in the Comber area and made the ultimate sacrifice serving her country in Afghanistan.

Aged just 25, Channing served as a Combat Medical Technician with 3 Medical Regiment. Her role was to care for and save the lives of others, serving alongside those on the front line.

On 24 October 2012, Channing was killed alongside Royal Marine Corporal David O’Connor.

Behind her uniform was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a young woman with her whole life ahead of her.

Today, we remember a local girl who left home to serve her country and never returned.

Her name deserves to be remembered. Her sacrifice must never be forgotten.

Corporal Channing Day. Comber’s own. Forever remembered.

Rest in peace, Channing. 🕊️🇬🇧

Lest we forget 🌺

24/10/2026

REMEMBERING RANGER CYRIL J. SMITH QGM ☘️🇬🇧

24th October 1990.

Today, Ards Memorial Group remembers Ranger Cyril John Smith, of the Royal Irish Rangers, who was murdered by the IRA at Cloghoge Mountain checkpoint, south of Newry, on this day in 1990.

At 0409 hours, a yellow van pulled up at the Permanent Vehicle Checkpoint on the A1. The driver jumped out, shouting a warning that there was a bomb.

Ranger Smith, serving as the duty road man with 4 Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, immediately led the driver to safety and alerted his fellow Rangers.

Despite being told not to return, Ranger Smith made the decision to run back towards the checkpoint to ensure the safety of the other soldiers.

His reported words were simple, but they speak volumes about the man he was.

“I have to go back and make sure the rest of the boys are safe.”

As he ran past the van, the IRA bomb exploded, murdering him instantly.

Ranger Smith placed the lives of his comrades before his own. His actions were recognised with the posthumous award of the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, gazetted on 5th November 1991.

Today, we remember not only a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice, but a man whose courage, selflessness and loyalty to his comrades embodied the finest traditions of military service.

His life was taken by an IRA bomb, but his bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

At Ards Memorial Group, we remain committed to remembering those who served, those who fell, and the families who continue to carry their loss.

We Will Remember Them.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Lest We Forget. 🌺

23/10/2026

Soldier to soldier 🫡 🇬🇧

Prince Harry has made a surprise Armed Forces visit this month in the UK. 🎖️ 🪖 The Duke of Sussex was pictured visiting Warwickshire last weekend for a special cause.

On October 17, the prince joined the Veterans of the ‘Easy Company’, 3 Para Battlegroup, and Royal Irish Regiment to mark the 20th anniversary of their extraction from Helmand Province and to remember their fallen comrades. The duke, who served in the Armed Forces himself as a young adult, wore a suit and tie to the event. 💪

Harry’s visit was kept low-profile; however, photographs from the day have led many fans of the prince to praise him for attending such an important event. One fan wrote on X: “Once served always serving.”

Another said: “I’m so glad Harry is getting in involved with all the veterans again. That’s definitely his happy place outside of his family.” ❤️

It is not known whether the duke has plans to make any other Armed Forces-related visits over the next few weeks in the lead-up to Remembrance Day in November.

👑

23/10/2026

23 October 1993. Remembering the Innocent Victims of the Shankill Road Bombing.

On this day in 1993, the IRA brought death and devastation to the heart of a Belfast community.

A bomb planted by the IRA exploded at Frizzell’s fish shop on the Shankill Road, killing nine innocent people and injuring dozens more. Among the dead were two young girls, Michelle Baird, aged seven, and Leanne Murray, aged 13.

They were not combatants. They were ordinary people going about their daily lives. Families, children and neighbours who had every right to go about their business without fear of being murdered.

The IRA claimed to be fighting for a political cause. But no cause, no ideology and no political ambition can justify the murder of innocent civilians.

What was achieved by killing a seven-year-old girl? What justification could there ever be for taking the lives of nine innocent people?

The consequences were devastating. Families lost loved ones, children lost parents, and survivors were left with physical and emotional scars that would last a lifetime.

We will never allow our history to be rewritten by terrorists who now sit in government. The victims must never be forgotten, their suffering must never be diminished, and the actions of those responsible must never be excused or airbrushed from history.

It is our duty to remember the past, to honour those who lost their lives, and to ensure that future generations understand the true cost of terrorism and violence.

But remembrance must also come with responsibility. Our duty is not only to never forget the past, but to help provide a peaceful future for the next generation, where our children can grow up without hatred, violence or the fear that has scarred so many families across Northern Ireland.

We remember the nine innocent victims. We stand with their families. We will continue to tell their story.

Nine innocent lives. One community left grieving. Never forgotten. Never rewritten.

Ards Memorial Group remembers.

Lest We Forget. 🌺

20/10/2026

Today we welcomed a visit from BrunswickL.O.L.106 , who were over from Scotland on their annual trip to Northern Ireland and wanted to come along to see what Ards Memorial Group is all about.

The troops were more than happy to show them around, explain what we have been working on, and share a few laughs over a cup of tea and some buns!

Our visitors were fascinated by some of the old photographs displayed around the walls, particularly those documenting the Ulster Volunteer Force and its transformation into the 36th (Ulster) Division during the First World War. It was great to see such a keen interest in the history we are preserving.

It’s fantastic to see visitors travelling from Scotland to learn more about what we do, the progress we have made, and what we have planned for the future.

A big thank you to Brunswick LOL 106 for taking the time to visit us. You are always welcome at AMG!

Watch this space. There is plenty more to come!

Hands across the water 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

19/10/2026

20 Years Since the Battle of Musa Qaleh

Our Chairman recently attended the 20th anniversary reunion of the Battle of Musa Qaleh, bringing together veterans of 3 PARA and 1 Royal Irish, alongside the Duke of Sussex.

The day included a short memorial service and wreath laying in honour of LCpl Paul Muirhead, followed by an afternoon of beers, stories and shared memories.

Our Chairman also presented the Officer Commanding of Easy Company, 3 PARA, with a Royal Irish plaque in recognition of his unwavering support over the years.

A fitting tribute to fallen comrades, lasting friendships and the bonds forged through service.