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​Colonel Norman Walker, OBE, TD, JP, DL represented the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim today in Carrickfergus to welcome the arrival of two of the Royal Navy's P2000 vessels on their summer deployment. HMS Biter and HMS Charger (P292) arrived from Scotland.

​During the reception, it was announced that Armed Forces Day 2021 will be held in Carrickfergus. The Antrim Lieutenancy looks forward to hosting such a special day. Carrickfergus and County Antrim enjoy a long standing relationship with all of the Armed Forces. 

Also in attendance was the Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Cllr Peter Johnston, Council Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy, and representatives from all three service branches of Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, laid a wreath on behalf of HM The Queen to commemorate the 104th Anniversary of the Battle of The Somme at the Carrickfergus War Memorial. In particular, the heroic contribution of the 36th Ulster Division was remembered. 

The short Service of Remembrance was organised by the Carrickfergus Branch of the British Legion. The Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Peter Johnston, and representatives from  Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, the UDR and the Carrickfergus Branch of the British Legion also laid wreaths.

 Social distancing was adhered to throughout the short ceremony.