SUNDAY afternoon saw the Orange Institution in County Fermanagh hold the annual Murdered Brethren service and parade in memory of the 31 members of the Institution who lost their lives during The Troubles.

A service was held outdoors at the Holyhill car park and was followed by a parade. The service was conducted by Rev. Bro. Rodney Beacom, with music for the service provided by Ballyreagh Silver Band. The bugler for the service was Darren Kerr, and the piper was Darren Robinson.

Others who attended the service included Joe Morton, Co. Leitrim County Grand Master; and Assistant Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, Right Worshipful Bro. Mark Smith.

A County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge spokesman said: "Throughout the course of The Troubles, many members of the Orange Order made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of our civil and religious liberty.

"The first memorial parade took place in 2009, and it was at this parade and drumhead service the memorial bannerette was unfurled.

"The bannerette, bearing 31 names, has been carried in their honour at the head of each Twelfth of July demonstration, and all official County Grand Lodge parades since.

"Members, and their families, take this opportunity to remember the quiet determination of those who served in the RUC, UDR, and Royal Irish Home Service, in helping to bring an end to the IRA’s terrorist campaign.

"Without the commitment and sacrifice of the 31 members of the Institution remembered, and indeed many others within our community, Northern Ireland would be a much worse place today.

"We owe these men a debt of gratitude that cannot be measured, and remember also those members of the Regular Army who served here, many of whom also paid the supreme sacrifice."

In addition, earlier this month, a new memorial plaque was unveiled at the Enniskillen District Orange Hall.

A County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge spokesman said: "The idea for the plaque came about after Orange Victims Day, which is held in September each year, and [came from] a number of Brethren from Enniskillen District identifying the need for a permanent memorial to remember those Brethren murdered in County Fermanagh during The Troubles.

"Support was also sought from County Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge, and the project was brought to fruition."

The spokesman added: "The unveiling of this memorial plaque is both poignant and significant, not only to remember those of our Brethren who were murdered, but also to have this plaque in place as a permanent memorial.

"Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten.”