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First Minister Launches WW1 Posters for Ulster...

07 June 2016

The First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, has launched a new Ulster-Scots Agency project raising awareness of Ulster’s contribution in the Great War. Every school in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic are receiving two commemorative posters, one depicting the 19 Ulstermen who won the Victoria Cross during the war; and the other depicting the charge of the 36th (Ulster) Division on 1st July 1916.

To launch the project, the First Minister welcomed students and teachers from Campbell College and RBAI to Parliament Buildings, Stormont, where she presented them each with a pair of framed posters.  Campbell and Inst are the only schools still in operation which were attended by Ulster VC winners – Edmund de Wind and John Alexander Sinton respectively.

Following the presentation, the First Minister said: “It is a privilege to present these hugely significant posters to Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Campbell College - the schools attended by Great War Victoria Cross heroes John Alexander Sinton and Edmund De Wind.

“As we approach the Centenary, it is important that we take time to pause, to reflect and to remember all of those who lost their lives, not just on July 1st but throughout the duration of the Great War.

“I have no doubt that this impressive artwork will peak students’ interest and encourage them to find out more about the Battle of the Somme and the Great War as a whole.

The Ulster-Scots Agency also presented a pair of framed posters to the First Minister.  The Agency’s Chief Executive, Ian Crozier, said, “We are delighted that the First Minister has lent her support to this project; and we thank her, Campbell College and RBAI for their help in launching it. 

“As we approach the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, we hope that these posters will serve as a useful learning resource for schools across Ulster and act as a catalyst for research, discussion and debate about the events of the Great War and the wider period.