An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/578623
An Cosantóir October 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS VETERAN'S NEWS 50TH ANNIVERSARy MASS foR CPL WILLIAM HETHERINGToN by THOMAS C MOONEY, PRO IUNVA POST 27 o n Saturday 18th July 2015 IUNVA Post 27 Portlaoise, had the honour of joining the family and friends of Cpl William Hetherington (RIP) in St fintan's parish church Mountrath, to celebrate his 50th Anniversary Mass. William gave up his life in the Service of Peace while serving in Cyprus with the 4th Inf Gp, in 1965. Also in attendance were members of Post 29 Carlow, Post 25 fermoy, and Post 5 Cork, along with serving members of the Defence forces. Df representatives were Comdt Thomas McGrath (2 bde), Lt o'Toole (1 bde), Sqn Sgt o'Neill (Cav Sch) and Sgt Derek McNamara (DfSM). The Chairman of Post 27 Portlaoise fred o'Reilly addressed all in attendance and read out a eulogy to Cpl Hetherington, giving a brief glimpse into his life and service overseas. A colour party from Post 27 consisting of Mick Thomp- son, Conny Dunne and Jimmy Shields rendered honours during mass, which was celebrated by fr brophy. George Kirwan IUNVA PRo National Executive and Post 1 Dublin read a poem called 'A Soldier', and the DfSM bugler, which was kindly provided by the Dept of Defence complimented proceedings, which I believe, was a fitting end to the ceremony. The family were then joined for refreshments in the parish hall, were William's niece Mary Hetherington spoke about her uncle and how grateful she was to IUNVA and Post 27 for remembering William. She said the family was thrilled to see both serving and ex-serving members of the Defence Forces attend the mass and honour William with such respect and dignity. Chairman of Post 27, Fred o'Reilly said, "This was the reason why we exist, to make sure members were never forgotten and always honoured with dignity". Cpl William Hetherington (RIP) in 1965 with 4th Inf Gp, UNICYP. 'Lá na bhFiann' Pictured are those who attended the ONE Cmdr George Crosbie Branch 'Lá na bhFiann' (Soldiers Day) at Haulbowline Naval Base on Sunday 5th July 2015. Among those in the front row are; Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Chris Ó Leary and Lady Mayoress his Wife Angela, Capt Dave Barry O/C Naval Ops Comd and 2 I/C Naval Service, Seán Kavanagh President ONE Cmdr George Crosbie Br, Declan Pendred President Irish Naval Association, Garda Sgt Denis McCarthy, ONE Directors Ger Enright and Peter Byrne, Vice Chairman and PRO Cobh Branch, Domhnall Mac Cárthaigh and Secretary ONE Southern Area Council Tony Canning. Photo: Tony Canning Members of IUNVA at Cpl Hetherington 50th Anniversary Mass.