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Effective today, the contact details for the Northern Ireland Veterans' Association have changed to the following

The Secretary
57 Mortimer Street,
Derby.

DE24 8FX

Email: membership@nivets.org.uk
Web: www.nivets.org.uk
Mob: 07368 293729

NIVA Administration.
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Cpl Ian Henry Armstrong 14/20th Kings Hussars

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  • Cpl Ian Henry Armstrong 14/20th Kings Hussars

    Killed in action 29th August 1971 Cullaville Northern Ireland.

    45 years ago we shared a beer together. Maybe we can share another soon. RIP mate.

    The Empty Photo Frame.


    I listen to the dull recording of his voice within my mind.
    The words are plain, the voice is strong the accent one of my own kind.
    The tape recorder in my brain repeats his words just as were said,
    This final discourse written down in ink, inside my head.
    And I can still remember where that last short talk took place.
    Beside the road, near Crossmaglen, a spot now lost,
    Without a trace
    And as we chatted on that day, the devils work came into play,
    For soon my friend of countless chats would soon be lying dead.
    The tarmac road of Cullaville the pillow for his resting head.
    And through the mists of languid time I still call out his name,
    His face has gone, and all I’ve left, is an empty photo frame.


    What power is this that weaves its web, that takes away his face?
    Is it because I blame myself for his sad fate, his shocking end,
    That leaves my mind without a trace?
    Or is it just that Father Time has marched the road where my thoughts live,
    And somehow blanks his face from me, hoping to forgive?
    Or is it just to see his face would tip me o’er the brink?
    Would blow my mind, or ruin my soul, or tip me into drink?
    These are the questions that I pose, to you, the reader of this prose,
    Because I cannot find the answer for myself.
    The answer lies, deep in my mind, upon some dusty brain-cell shelf.
    It dangles here, before my eyes, mist shrouded, like a lurid game.
    Nailed to the wall of my minds eye, this empty photo frame.


    One day, perhaps all will be told, the day I die, all grey and cold.
    And I will leave this mortal coil, with dignity, and soul unsold.
    And climb the escalator to that place, where judgments meet me,
    Face to face.
    And I will see those other lads, that I once knew, and shake their hands anew.
    Then once again we’ll crack a glass, to those who fought that stinking war,
    And then I will be with my friends, who traveled on before.
    The blinkers that have closed my eyes, will be removed, and I’ll be sure,
    Of all the things I see.
    At last the shield that closed my mind will disappear, be gone from me.
    So with the clarity of God, I will shout out his name,
    And see hung there, in Odins halls, his face, complete with photo frame.




    Dedicated To Cpl Ian Henry Armstrong. Killed in action, 1500hrs, 29th August 1971.
    RIP.

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    • #3
      Any further words from me would be superfluous.
      Rest easy mate.
      You cannot fight a war with one hand tied behind your back.

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      • #4

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        • #5

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          • #6
            Always remembered Ian
            "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.”
            Salman Rushdie

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            • #7

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              • #8
                Be who you are and say what you feel...
                Because those that matter, don't mind.
                And those that mind, don't matter!

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                • #9
                  Visit tree 49/189 @ the NMA and say hello.

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                  • #10
                    Thank you for reminding us Slaps. I was in Belfast then but we only were aware of what was going on in our area of course.
                    Spanners do it with their tools.

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                    • #11
                      Hi, i would like to thank NIVA for a beautiful service at the arboretum on Saturday. My father Cpl Ian Henry Armstrong was one of those that lost their lives in Northern Ireland and on Saturday his name was called out. Myself, my mum and husband were very happy to hear his name mentioned; it made it even more special because it was the first time my mum had heard her husbands name called out. After the service we were able to visit the tree which is dedicated to him and leave a poppy to signify our visit, and that we are thinking of him. It was a lovely ending to our summer holiday as we had been to Tidworth barracks where my dad was laid to rest.

                      Thank you for the beautiful service we very much look forward to our annual visit.

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                      • #12

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by wellyboot View Post
                          Thank you for the beautiful service we very much look forward to our annual visit.
                          You're more than welcome, for NIVA it's all about our Fallen and their relatives.
                          Visit tree 49/189 @ the NMA and say hello.

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                          • #14
                            What he said.

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                            • #15
                              No thanks are needed. Its what we are here for. I'm glad you and your family had a good day. See you next year.
                              You cannot fight a war with one hand tied behind your back.

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