A new plaque has been unveiled to commemorate the role of the Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) in North Fermanagh.
The plaque was unveiled in Tubrid Parish Church, Parish of Drumkeeran on Sunday, May 8. Tubrid was the largest of the sub districts of the USC in Fermanagh at one point in time there would have been 80 people in the barracks for the district.
The plaque was unveiled by Mrs. Sylvia Noble, wife of the late Sergeant Albert Noble. The service was led by Rev. Charles Eames with Rev. Canon Dr. William Johnston, a former member of the USC and a former part-time reservist preaching.
Others who took part in the service were the Turbid Pipe Band and the USC Historical Platoon from Omagh. In addition there were also 12 standards present from other associations across Northern Ireland with members travelling from Belfast, Limavady and Co. Down.
One of those who served in the USC and is remembered on the plaque is the Rev. Canon Walter Stack who was the first person to join the B Special force in Co Fermanagh .
Explaining the strong link between Tubrid Parish and the Stack family, Rev. Charles Eames said: "The Stack family have a long association with Tubrid Parish and have been associated with Tubrid Parish from 1823. Edward Stack was the Chaplain of the Vaughan school until 1857, he lived in the Chaplain house beside the school and had three sons there during this time.
"His son Charles Maurice Stack held the position of Bishop of Clogher from 1886-1903. The Reverend Walter Stack was born to Bishop Charles Stack on March 28, 1869 in Lack rectory."
Explaining the association with Rev. Canon Walter Stack, Rev Eames continued: Rev. Canon Charles Stack qualified as a medical doctor but due to health reasons he was unable to continue this job and instead went into the ministry. He was a curate in Tubrid from 1892- 1895 and Rector from 1895-1921."
He continued: "He always intended to spend his entire ministry in Tubrid Parish but due to his wife's ill health they had to leave as the school ground beside the house was too noisy.
"He was a loyal subject and he was the first to join the B Specials in Fermanagh in November 1920 and was later District Commander. He was a life long member of Tubrid Orange Lodge and was District Master for many years."
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