Click Here to Read the Story of Bro Private John Meeke MM
The Annual John Meeke Commemoration
Bro Private John Meeke MM is the most famous member of our lodge.
He is remembered within the pages of history as the Hero of the Battle of Messines
(which took place in June 1917, during the First World War).
It was during this battle that he saved the life of Irish Nationalist MP, Major 'Willie' Redmond.
Each year, in June or July, a brief 'Service & Act of Remembrance'
is held at his graveside in Derrykeighan Old Churchyard.
Bro Frankie Cunningham of Dervock LOL 534 and Bro Samuel Stirling,
the Chaplain of our own lodge, perform a central role in organising and conducting this service.
He is remembered within the pages of history as the Hero of the Battle of Messines
(which took place in June 1917, during the First World War).
It was during this battle that he saved the life of Irish Nationalist MP, Major 'Willie' Redmond.
Each year, in June or July, a brief 'Service & Act of Remembrance'
is held at his graveside in Derrykeighan Old Churchyard.
Bro Frankie Cunningham of Dervock LOL 534 and Bro Samuel Stirling,
the Chaplain of our own lodge, perform a central role in organising and conducting this service.
Our Lodge's Annual Service & Act of Remembrance to
Commemorate the Life, Bravery & Sacrifice of Bro Private John Meeke
Opening Prayer
Gracious and Eternal Heavenly Father, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, The Great I Am - we, Your humble servants, come before your throne of grace this day.
We thank you for that peace that the world cannot give. That peace that only You can give through Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - that our hearts may be set to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, the One who died and rose victorious over sin and death, that we (being defended from the fear of our enemies) may pass our time in rest and quietness, serving You alone.
Heavenly Father, our thoughts go back to World War One, when thousands of brave young men from this island - men like the Meeke brothers - fought and died together for freedom, a freedom that we can enjoy today, and we are here today to remember them.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We thank you for that peace that the world cannot give. That peace that only You can give through Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - that our hearts may be set to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, the One who died and rose victorious over sin and death, that we (being defended from the fear of our enemies) may pass our time in rest and quietness, serving You alone.
Heavenly Father, our thoughts go back to World War One, when thousands of brave young men from this island - men like the Meeke brothers - fought and died together for freedom, a freedom that we can enjoy today, and we are here today to remember them.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Reading: Psalm 46 & John 3:16
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
Chaplain's Address
On 7th June 1917, the 36th Ulster Division and 16th Irish Division fought alongside each other at Messines Ridge.
When the attack started, Major William Redmond of the 16th Irish Division led his men against the enemy. They had almost reached the point of no return when he went down seriously wounded.
Bro Private John Meeke, a member of our lodge, was a stretcher-bearer with the 36th Ulster Division - and was already out in no man's land, searching for his comrades who were wounded.
He saw Major Redmond go down, hit by enemy fire – and, although he was quite a distance from the major at the time, he could tell that Redmond had been badly hurt.
Private Meeke started to make his way through the battlefield debris and shell holes towards the place where Major Redmond was lying.
With shells bursting and fierce machine gun fire all around, it made the going difficult.
Private Meeke finally reached the wounded major and immediately set to work, bandaging his wounds.
Major Redmond was conscious throughout all of this, and knew that a young Ulster soldier was at his side.
When John had almost finished bandaging the major's wounds, he himself was wounded down his left side.
Seeing that John was bleeding profusely from his wounds, the major ordered him to flee back to the Allied Lines and save himself.
John refused to heed the major, saying that he had a job to do and was going to do it.
He then continued to attend to the major's wounds - but, suddenly, John was wounded by enemy fire once again.
The major saw what happened and, once again, ordered Private Meeke to retreat and save himself.
Again, John refused and succeeded in bandaging the major's wounds.
By this time, John was getting weak from loss of blood. However, he spotted a number of soldiers coming towards him, escorting some German prisoners back to the Allied Lines.
John attracted their attention and the German prisoners were ordered to carry Major Redmond to the Dressing Station.
Despite the fact that he was badly wounded and still bleeding profusely, Private Meeke carried on his medical work amongst the wounded until he was so weak that he had to be forcibly taken to the same Dressing Station as the major.
When the major was brought into the Dressing Station, it soon became obvious to the doctors that he was in very poor condition. Despite this, he did not care for himself the way that he should have. Instead, he was more concerned about the welfare of his men, rather than himself.
It was feared that Major Redmond's life was in danger, and although everything possible was being done for him at the Dressing Station, he died from his wounds later that evening.
When Redmond's superiors heard about what had happened, and about the bravery of Private John Meeke in trying to save the major’s life - they recommended that John's efforts be recognised.
John Meeke was therefore awarded the Military Medal.
He survived his wounds, and when the war ended, he returned home to his family at Benvarden.
John worked on the Benvarden Estate, along with his father (who was a gardener).
They were members of the local Orange Lodge, Benvarden Temperance True Blues LOL 1001.
When John came home, he married a girl from Ballyrock, Kathleen Craig.
They were married at Derrykeighan Parish Church in Dervock.
Sadly, John died of tuberculosis on the 7th December 1923.
We now salute the memory of Private John Meeke MM of the 36th Ulster Division, and will remember what heroic deed was done that day at Messines Ridge, not only to Major William Redmond, but to all his comrades in the 36th Ulster Division and the 16th Irish Division, comrades in arms, both Protestant and Roman Catholic.
You will notice 2 headstones side by side - John's brother Samuel also served in the 36th Ulster Division, but he was taken prisoner by the enemy, and was taken to one of the most notorious German prisoner camps.
Samuel was forced to work in sulphur mines and his health deteriorated.
Finally, when he arrived home, he was in such a poor condition that, after just 2 weeks, he died.
Samuel had a military funeral and his grave is marked with a Commonwealth Headstone.
John's name appears at the bottom of Samuel's headstone because he died after the cut off point (for receiving a Commonwealth Headstone) in August 1921.
It is only in the last few years that our good brother, Private John Meeke MM of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers has been properly honoured.
It would be remiss of me if I did not mention our Heavenly Hero - the Greatest Hero of All.
Over 2,000 years ago, someone else was engaged in a battle.
A sacrifice was going to have to be made.
It was a spiritual battle against the forces of evil - against the forces of Satan - for control of our souls.
John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
The Lord Jesus Christ, in great love and compassion, has made a full and complete payment for sin by suffering death in our place upon the cross.
There He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and allowed the wrath of God (which we deserved) to fall on His own head (instead of our head).
He is our substitute. He gave Himself, suffered and died, the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty - that He might deliver us from the curse of a broken law, and provide a complete pardon for all who are willing to trust and obey His gospel message.
1st Timothy 1:15 says: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".
Before Christ was born, we find these words in Matthew 1:21: "And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."
The Son of God will save you from your sins if you let Him.
We must choose - life or death?
It is our choice.
Choose wisely.
Let us continue to remember our local heroes at the appointed times - but let us never ever forget our greatest hero, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to give us eternal life.
When the attack started, Major William Redmond of the 16th Irish Division led his men against the enemy. They had almost reached the point of no return when he went down seriously wounded.
Bro Private John Meeke, a member of our lodge, was a stretcher-bearer with the 36th Ulster Division - and was already out in no man's land, searching for his comrades who were wounded.
He saw Major Redmond go down, hit by enemy fire – and, although he was quite a distance from the major at the time, he could tell that Redmond had been badly hurt.
Private Meeke started to make his way through the battlefield debris and shell holes towards the place where Major Redmond was lying.
With shells bursting and fierce machine gun fire all around, it made the going difficult.
Private Meeke finally reached the wounded major and immediately set to work, bandaging his wounds.
Major Redmond was conscious throughout all of this, and knew that a young Ulster soldier was at his side.
When John had almost finished bandaging the major's wounds, he himself was wounded down his left side.
Seeing that John was bleeding profusely from his wounds, the major ordered him to flee back to the Allied Lines and save himself.
John refused to heed the major, saying that he had a job to do and was going to do it.
He then continued to attend to the major's wounds - but, suddenly, John was wounded by enemy fire once again.
The major saw what happened and, once again, ordered Private Meeke to retreat and save himself.
Again, John refused and succeeded in bandaging the major's wounds.
By this time, John was getting weak from loss of blood. However, he spotted a number of soldiers coming towards him, escorting some German prisoners back to the Allied Lines.
John attracted their attention and the German prisoners were ordered to carry Major Redmond to the Dressing Station.
Despite the fact that he was badly wounded and still bleeding profusely, Private Meeke carried on his medical work amongst the wounded until he was so weak that he had to be forcibly taken to the same Dressing Station as the major.
When the major was brought into the Dressing Station, it soon became obvious to the doctors that he was in very poor condition. Despite this, he did not care for himself the way that he should have. Instead, he was more concerned about the welfare of his men, rather than himself.
It was feared that Major Redmond's life was in danger, and although everything possible was being done for him at the Dressing Station, he died from his wounds later that evening.
When Redmond's superiors heard about what had happened, and about the bravery of Private John Meeke in trying to save the major’s life - they recommended that John's efforts be recognised.
John Meeke was therefore awarded the Military Medal.
He survived his wounds, and when the war ended, he returned home to his family at Benvarden.
John worked on the Benvarden Estate, along with his father (who was a gardener).
They were members of the local Orange Lodge, Benvarden Temperance True Blues LOL 1001.
When John came home, he married a girl from Ballyrock, Kathleen Craig.
They were married at Derrykeighan Parish Church in Dervock.
Sadly, John died of tuberculosis on the 7th December 1923.
We now salute the memory of Private John Meeke MM of the 36th Ulster Division, and will remember what heroic deed was done that day at Messines Ridge, not only to Major William Redmond, but to all his comrades in the 36th Ulster Division and the 16th Irish Division, comrades in arms, both Protestant and Roman Catholic.
You will notice 2 headstones side by side - John's brother Samuel also served in the 36th Ulster Division, but he was taken prisoner by the enemy, and was taken to one of the most notorious German prisoner camps.
Samuel was forced to work in sulphur mines and his health deteriorated.
Finally, when he arrived home, he was in such a poor condition that, after just 2 weeks, he died.
Samuel had a military funeral and his grave is marked with a Commonwealth Headstone.
John's name appears at the bottom of Samuel's headstone because he died after the cut off point (for receiving a Commonwealth Headstone) in August 1921.
It is only in the last few years that our good brother, Private John Meeke MM of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers has been properly honoured.
It would be remiss of me if I did not mention our Heavenly Hero - the Greatest Hero of All.
Over 2,000 years ago, someone else was engaged in a battle.
A sacrifice was going to have to be made.
It was a spiritual battle against the forces of evil - against the forces of Satan - for control of our souls.
John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
The Lord Jesus Christ, in great love and compassion, has made a full and complete payment for sin by suffering death in our place upon the cross.
There He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, and allowed the wrath of God (which we deserved) to fall on His own head (instead of our head).
He is our substitute. He gave Himself, suffered and died, the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty - that He might deliver us from the curse of a broken law, and provide a complete pardon for all who are willing to trust and obey His gospel message.
1st Timothy 1:15 says: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".
Before Christ was born, we find these words in Matthew 1:21: "And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."
The Son of God will save you from your sins if you let Him.
We must choose - life or death?
It is our choice.
Choose wisely.
Let us continue to remember our local heroes at the appointed times - but let us never ever forget our greatest hero, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to give us eternal life.
Closing Prayer
And now brethren and friends - go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage, hold fast to that which is good, render to no one evil for evil, strengthen the faint hearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, honour all people, love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of His Holy Spirit, and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you, and all those you love, this day and always. Amen.
Directions to John Meeke's Grave: Derrykeighan Old Graveyard
Follow the Belfast-Coleraine A26 road to Ballymoney. At Ballymoney, take the B66 Knock Road north-west out of the town towards the village of Dervock. In Dervock, follow the B66 Castlecatt Road to Derrykeighan. Derrykeighan is a small hamlet at a crossroads. The churchyard is obscured by buildings. You will find it at the back of a house and motorcycle showroom. It can be accessed via a lane that runs along the side of these buildings. The churchyard is permanently open. When you enter Derrykeighan Old Churchyard, walk forward and head for the far left corner - when you arrive there, you will find the graves of both brothers, Private John Meeke and Private Samuel Meeke.
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