ARmy Rumour SErvice

Oft, in the Stilly Night

"Oft, in the stilly night,
Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Fond memory brings the light
Of other days around me;
The smiles, the tears,
Of boyhood's years,
The words of love then spoken;
The eyes that shone,
Now dimm'd and gone,
The cheerful hearts now broken!
Thus, in the stilly night,
Ere slumber's chain hath bound me,
Sad memory brings the light
Of other days around me.

When I remember all
The friends, so link'd together,
I've seen around me fall,
Like leaves in wintry weather;
I feel like one
Who treads alone
Some banquet-hall deserted,
Whose lights are fled,
Whose garlands dead,
And all but he departed!
Thus, in the stilly night,
Ere slumber's chain has bound me,
Sad memory brings the light
Of other days around me".

For those not in the know these are the words (attributed to the Irish lyricist Thomas Moore) which are sung to that ancient Irish melody, "Oft in the Stilly Night".
The tune itself was adopted by the Ulster Defence Regiment as its Slow March and it remained so until the amalgamation. Besides its use as the slow march it was played at memorial and commemoration ceremonies by the Pipes and Drums of the various Battalions.

Does anyone have an update or sitrep on the Memorial and its dedication.
I plan a visit to NI in the Spring / Summer and would be interested in information. The National Memorial Arboretum is also on my itinerary this Spring / Summer. Anyone from RUC or UDR Associations planning to be there this year?

At the funeral of a member of 2 UDR in Caledon, the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames made an oration to the congregation which included the words:
"....It [the regiment] has received criticism, often from those far removed from the dangers it faces, which has been far from fair or objective. In its increasingly professional approach to its work its members must never forget their duty to all members of the community, irrespective of political or religious outlooks. But the community must never forget what the UDR is doing day and night for it."


Think that sums up the bravery of ordinary folks from both communities who wished to prevent their communities being torn apart.