The photograph on the left (see above) is a statue of Bro Robert Quigg VC.
He stands upon 7 stones - symbolising the 7 lives that he saved during the first 2 days of the Battle of the Somme.
Bro Robert Quigg VC was a member of the Loyal Orders.
Robert Quigg was born on 28th February 1885 and died on 14th May 1955. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for 'most conspicuous bravery' at the Battle of the Somme.
The Victoria Cross (or 'VC' as it is commonly known), is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Quigg was born in the townland of Ardihannon, in the parish of Billy, near Giant's Causeway in County Antrim. His father worked as a boatman and tour guide at Giant's Causeway.
When Robert left school, he worked for a number of years on Forsyth's farm at Turfahun and the Macnaghten estate at Dunderave.
He played in a local flute band and was a prominent member of the Orange Order (Aird LOL 1195 - now known as Giants Causeway LOL 1195). He was also a member of the Royal Black Institution (William Johnston Memorial RBP 559).
During the Home Rule Crisis, Quigg joined Sir Edward Carson's 'Ulster Volunteer Force' and became its Commander in the Bushmills area.
At the outbreak of World War One, Carson offered the services of the Ulster Volunteer Force to the UK government (who were only too happy to accept). The UVF therefore became the 36th Ulster Division. Quigg enlisted in the 12th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (mainly comprised of the 'Mid-Antrim UVF'). His service number was 12/18645 and he held the rank of Rifleman. Robert's platoon officer was his old boss, Lieutenant Sir Edward Harry Macnaghten (6th Baronet of the Macnaghten estate).
Prior to the Battle of the Somme, Quigg's unit were stationed at Hamel (a French village located on the north bank of the River Ancre). On the morning of 1st July 1916, the 12th Battalion RIR / Mid-Antrim UVF were ordered to advance upon the heavily defended German lines. They encountered fierce resistance. Quigg's platoon made three advances during the day, only to be beaten back each time. By nightfall, many thousands lay dead and wounded in no-man's-land.
In the early hours of 2nd July, Quigg found out that his old boss, Sir Harry Macnaughten, was missing. He immediately volunteered to go out into no-man's-land in order to rescue him. He went out seven times, but was unable to find Sir Harry. On each occasion, despite having to operate under machine gun fire, he managed to return with a wounded colleague. After several hours of searching, exhaustion got the better of him - forcing him to give up.
The body of Sir Harry Macnaghten was never found. Today he is commemorated, along with thousands of others, on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Robert Quigg received his Victoria Cross (VC) on 8th January 1917 from King George V, at York Cottage, Sandringham. Queen Mary was also in attendance.
The Russian Empire presented him with the 'Medal of Order of St. George (Fourth Class)' - their highest award for non-senior officers.
His Victoria Cross and Order of St. George (Fourth Class) are on display at the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.
When Quigg returned home to Bushmills, a vast crowd assembled to welcome him. Sir Harry's mother, Lady Macnaghten, presented Quigg with a gold watch in recognition of his brave attempt to find and rescue her son.
Robert Quigg died on 14 May 1955. He was buried with full military honours in Billy Parish Churchyard.
A stone tablet, dedicated to his memory, sits at the foot of Bushmills War Memorial.
In June 2016, Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a bronze statue of him. It is located in Main Street, Bushmills - roughly 100 metres from the main War Memorial.
More information about Robert Quigg VC can be obtained from The Robert Quigg VC Commemoration Society.
The Victoria Cross (or 'VC' as it is commonly known), is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Quigg was born in the townland of Ardihannon, in the parish of Billy, near Giant's Causeway in County Antrim. His father worked as a boatman and tour guide at Giant's Causeway.
When Robert left school, he worked for a number of years on Forsyth's farm at Turfahun and the Macnaghten estate at Dunderave.
He played in a local flute band and was a prominent member of the Orange Order (Aird LOL 1195 - now known as Giants Causeway LOL 1195). He was also a member of the Royal Black Institution (William Johnston Memorial RBP 559).
During the Home Rule Crisis, Quigg joined Sir Edward Carson's 'Ulster Volunteer Force' and became its Commander in the Bushmills area.
At the outbreak of World War One, Carson offered the services of the Ulster Volunteer Force to the UK government (who were only too happy to accept). The UVF therefore became the 36th Ulster Division. Quigg enlisted in the 12th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (mainly comprised of the 'Mid-Antrim UVF'). His service number was 12/18645 and he held the rank of Rifleman. Robert's platoon officer was his old boss, Lieutenant Sir Edward Harry Macnaghten (6th Baronet of the Macnaghten estate).
Prior to the Battle of the Somme, Quigg's unit were stationed at Hamel (a French village located on the north bank of the River Ancre). On the morning of 1st July 1916, the 12th Battalion RIR / Mid-Antrim UVF were ordered to advance upon the heavily defended German lines. They encountered fierce resistance. Quigg's platoon made three advances during the day, only to be beaten back each time. By nightfall, many thousands lay dead and wounded in no-man's-land.
In the early hours of 2nd July, Quigg found out that his old boss, Sir Harry Macnaughten, was missing. He immediately volunteered to go out into no-man's-land in order to rescue him. He went out seven times, but was unable to find Sir Harry. On each occasion, despite having to operate under machine gun fire, he managed to return with a wounded colleague. After several hours of searching, exhaustion got the better of him - forcing him to give up.
The body of Sir Harry Macnaghten was never found. Today he is commemorated, along with thousands of others, on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Robert Quigg received his Victoria Cross (VC) on 8th January 1917 from King George V, at York Cottage, Sandringham. Queen Mary was also in attendance.
The Russian Empire presented him with the 'Medal of Order of St. George (Fourth Class)' - their highest award for non-senior officers.
His Victoria Cross and Order of St. George (Fourth Class) are on display at the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.
When Quigg returned home to Bushmills, a vast crowd assembled to welcome him. Sir Harry's mother, Lady Macnaghten, presented Quigg with a gold watch in recognition of his brave attempt to find and rescue her son.
Robert Quigg died on 14 May 1955. He was buried with full military honours in Billy Parish Churchyard.
A stone tablet, dedicated to his memory, sits at the foot of Bushmills War Memorial.
In June 2016, Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a bronze statue of him. It is located in Main Street, Bushmills - roughly 100 metres from the main War Memorial.
More information about Robert Quigg VC can be obtained from The Robert Quigg VC Commemoration Society.