Remembrance Day
As an act of remembrance, at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month Lisburn Distillery Football Club remembers all those who were sadly killed during the two World Wars and in particular to those who died in the First Word War, who were a part of our club.
This past year we have learnt of two more men with Distillery connections who paid the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives in battle:
Alexander “Sandy” Johnson.
A keen sportsman, in addition to being the trainer for the Distillery Juniors team, Alexander was also a member of the Northern Cycling Club.
Alexander was a Lance-Corporal in the 9th Royal Irish Rifles and in October 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for digging out several comrades who had been buried by German shell, despite the shelling continuing during his heroic rescue.
On the night of the 8th February 1917 he lost his life, along with three others, when a German shell hit the hut he was in.
William Stewart
Scotsman William had spells with clubs in his homeland and England before moving across the Irish Sea and turning out for Distillery Seconds and Distillery West End as a striker or right winger.
At the outbreak of the First World War, William joined the 3rd Batallion of the Scottish Horse Yeomanry, rising to the rank of Corporal.
William was killed in action on the 30th November 1915, his older brother, David, was also killed in action six months previously and his two younger brothers had just enlisted at the time of William’s death.
We can confirm that Alexander and William will soon have their names added to the plaque that is on display in our Club Museum, ensuring that their names, service and sacrifices will never be forgotten.
Alexander and William will join others with connections to Distillery FC who died in action – William Brolly, Samuel Long, David Drennan, Donald Sloan, John Spencer Dunville, George Gill, John “Jack” Johnston and James White.
We also remember those who served and survived.
Andy Jardine, Jim Anderson, Davy Longridge & George Kay who were wounded.
Also, Harry ‘Henry’ Wilson, James Murdough, Private Atkins, Andy Hunter, Robert Andy Hunter, Robert McCracken, Jack Magill and Billy Laird who survived.
If anyone was unable to attend our recent Remembrance Service this is now available to view on our YouTube channel, or at the bottom of this post.
Our thanks to Norman Fox, Terry Moore and Dawson Simpson for their contributions to this and to anyone else who worked behind the scenes to make an important day in our club calendar possible.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”