Most of you will have heard of the Battle of the Somme. Each
year Orangemen and women gather to pay tribute to those who
died in that terrible battle, when Ulstermen won much ground
and proved the highest valour imaginable.
The Battle occurred during the First world War, on July 1st
1916, and on the first day of the battle some 5,000 Ulstermen
were killed or wounded. It was a terrible price to pay for
loyalty to the King and to the United Kingdom.
Among those who died in that battle was a young man named
William McFadzean from Belfast.
When the war broke out he joined the Royal Irish Rifles and
went off to war with his friends. Few of them probably thought
much about what lay in store for them at that stage, just
as many in August 1914 expected the war to be over by that
Christmas.
On 1st of July, 1916 Private Willie McFadzean was in a trench
with other Ulster Division soldiers and was opening a box
of grenades for distribution prior to the start of an attack.
Unfortunately, the box slipped down into the trench.
All around Willie McFadzean were his fellow soldiers, crowded
into the trench. The Belfast soldier looked down and in an
instant realised that two of the safety pins had fallen out.
They were all seconds from death.
Quick as a flash, young Willie McFadzean threw himself on
top of the box of grenades. The bombs exploded and he was
killed instantly.
Only one other man was injured.
But it would have been very different had not Willie McFadzean,
knowing the danger, sacrificed his life for his comrades.
His courage was of the highest order and his bravery earned
him the highest honour.
For Belfast's Private Willie McFadzean was awarded the Victoria
Cross, posthumously, for giving his life to save his colleagues.
Near Orange headquarters at Schomberg House a plaque is sited
on the wall of the family home of Private William McFadzean.
And in the nearby Cregagh estate he is one of four Ulster
Division Victoria Cross winners who are portrayed on a wall
mural.
Men like Willie McFadzean should never be forgotten!
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