TUV Group Leader on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Timothy Gaston seconded and spoke on the proposal to confer Honorary Freedom of the Borough to the North Irish Horse. Excerpt below:
“That this Council confers the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Mid and East Antrim on B Squadron (North Irish Horse) Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry – B (NIH) Sqn SNIY in recognition of their contribution to the people of Mid and East Antrim and Northern Ireland”.
Cllr Timothy Gaston:
“TUV support granting the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to The North Irish Horse.
“It gives me great pleasure not only to speak in support of this motion here tonight but also to second the proposal to grant the North Irish Horse freedom of the borough.
“This is a very timely motion to make, just back in May we had the Commemoration service for the 71st anniversary of the Battle for the Adolf Hitler Line and only a couple of weeks ago this borough demonstrated its support for all divisions of the British Army on Armed Forces Day.
“What better way to further demonstrate our support for our armed forces and in particular show our gratitude to the North Irish Horse by bestowing on them the very first Freedom of the Borough for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
“The North Irish Horse were raised in 1903 after the Boer War, they were the first non-regular unit deployed to France in 1914 during the Great War, and after being raised again for the Second World War fought with distinction in the North African and Italian campaigns.
“The history of the North Irish Horse is one of great courage and dedication in the face of danger and difficulties.
“I am no expert on the military, but I am thankful for all those, past and present, who have signed up to defend our freedoms against enemies both foreign and domestic.
“I close my remarks off by stating TUV’s support for this motion before us here tonight.”