1914 - Inspection of the North Antrim Regt. Ulster Volunteer Force.
This inspection and parade was held in the 'demesne' of Ballymena Castle, home of Lord and Lady Adair.
The Adair family had been associated with Ballymena since the 'plantation' of Ulster. Not surprisingly, they were ardent unionists and threw their weight totally behind Sir Edward Carson in his battle against Home Rule. Sir Edward, a leading barrister famed for his defence of a young naval rating accused of theft, was a Dubliner by birth but through his leadership became an iconic figure for the northern unionists. He was a guest of honour at the parade depicted above.
The photograph shows the Cullybackey Coy. of the North Antrim UVF arriving on the parade ground. They are led by Tommy Haughton, the son of a prominent textile factory owner. He was to die on 1st July 1916. Many men from his UVF company were killed or wounded beside him in the ranks of the 12th Royal Irish Rifles.
Despite the poor quality, these pictures are worth reproducing for their historical value. On the left we see Sir William and Lady Adair (whose son General Sir Allen Adair was a famous commander of the Guards Armoured Division in WW2) arrive to review the 'troops'.
On the right, Lady O'Neill (whose son Arthur was the first MP to be killed in action during the Great War) presents the colours to officers of the North Antrim Regiment. Arthur was a leading light in the North Antrim Regt. His brother Hugh was to become adjutant of the 12th Royal Irish Rifles.
It should be remembered that the original Ulster Volunteers attracted members from all sections of society.
Above we see the ladies of the North Antrim nursing corps on parade.
Above - the roll of honour for the Harryville (Ballymena) Company of the North Antrim Regt.
This company was to pay a very high price in terms of killed and wounded in the Great War when many of its members served with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles.
