To mark the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, veterans of the battle were accorded places of honour at the Ceremony.

The three Ulster Division veterans who attended were (left to right):

Mr William Calvert, 94 years of age from Lisburn. Billy served with 11^th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim Volunteers)

Mr John Dickson, 96 years of age originally from Banbridge, had served with the 16^th (Pioneer) Battalion of The Royal Irish Rifles.

Mr Leslie Bell, 95 years of age from Moneymore was wounded at the Somme while serving with the 10^th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (The Derrys)

HRH The Duke of Kent met the three veterans and presented each with a medal commemorating the 75^th anniversary.

They are pictured before the Ceremony in front of the memorial that commemorates so many of their comrades.