So Remembrance Day in Stormont ends in a “battle”. Irony? Big question, can we ever progress to a situation in Northern Ireland where both sides can come together through commemoration without one side grandstanding or using it as a political weapon? It is often very frustrating when commemorative events (or historical events) expose the gulf between historical interpretation of the same event, “history knows no resting places and no plateaus.”

I would replace Edmund Burke’s famous quote “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it” with “Those who don’t know history are destined to misinterpret it.” Historical narratives are often proclaimed and manipulated, particularly in Northern Ireland, to suit a political mindset or agenda. Jonathan Powell sums this up well when he states, “The real or objective History didn’t matter so much, what was important was their (two sides) view of it.” WW1 is often seen through the eyes of Unionists, it’s been claimed by them. What gives anyone a right to claim history? Many Nationalists refuse to acknowledge or give it recognition. For too long we have often just heard of the sacrifices of the Protestant 36^th Ulster Division at the Somme, as the rest of the War is often neglected. I have often spoken to people who make irrational claims about WW1 and know only of the Somme, the snippets that suits their political viewpoint. Yet, aside from the mass casualties, this Battle was unique in that it brought two Irish Divisions together as friendships and co-operation flourished on the battlefields of France and Belgium. In these same battlefields, men from Unionist and Nationalist backgrounds served side by side, fought side by side and died side by side and are now buried side by side. Many Catholics were in the ranks of the 36^th Ulster Division. Some Protestants fought in the 16^th Irish Division, the same division who fought in the Somme from September 1916 on. Does this suit all historical narratives of the War? Of course it doesn’t – but such narratives that are misinterpreted are often a weapon, a dangerous weapon to divide, conquer and to be used dangerously. Professor Richard Grayson rightly states, “What people are offended by is bad History”, but it’s this bad history that seems to dominant certain sections of communities and certain narratives.

Last year I stood on Messines Ridge in Belgium and was captivated by the fascinating story of two opposing loyalties, with opposing viewpoints, in different divisions, who met in a very peculiar situation on the battlefields of WW1. This sentimental story of comradeship and mutual respect between a Northern Protestant and an Irish Nationalist struck a chord with me as humanity superseded political ideology. Do such stories exist? Not in some narratives.

Major Willie Redmond was a Catholic officer in the 6^th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, who formed part of the 16^th Irish Division. Willie was the brother of Nationalist MP and leader, John Redmond, the man who held the balance of power after the 1910 General Election and encouraged the Liberal Government to enact a third Home Rule Bill for Ireland. Willie, also active in politics, was a Nationalist MP for East Clare and he enlisted for the War after his brother John’s famous Woodenbridge speech, committing the Irish Volunteers to the War: “Go where the firing lines extend.” The hope was that this would strengthen the cause of later implementing the Home Rule Act. John Redmond, was convinced that experiences between Catholics and Protestants in the trenches would help alleviate the problems incurred in the previous years between Nationalists and Unionists.

Private John Meeke was from Benvarden, County Antrim and a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force who thought that by signing up for the War, this would ensure they would be no Home Rule. Meeke was a Protestant in the 11^th Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who were part of the 36^th Ulster Division. Two men so different, they had little in common – by August 1914, these men could have been enemies in a civil war, yet emerged as comrades in WW1.

On 7^th June 1917 at Messines, Belgium, the 16^th Irish Division and 36^th Ulster Division, side by side, advanced together into fierce battle. Major Redmond, first over the top, led his Battalion into no man’s land. As the 16^th Irish reached their objective, Redmond was seriously wounded by enemy fire. As he lay wounded he urged his men and comrades forward. Some distance away, John Meeke was searching the battlefield for wounded when he saw Major Redmond fall. Risking his life, stretcher-bearer Meeke braved the heavy machine gun fire and struggled to Major Redmond’s side. As the firing continued, Meeke bandaged Major Redmond and was suddenly wounded on his left side. Major Redmond saw the young Private bleed profusely and ordered him to retreat behind British lines. Meeke refused and openly disobeyed his senior officer. Under a constant barrage of fire, Meeke and Redmond were eventually rescued by a patrol of the 36^th Ulster Division. Major Redmond was thus carried to the safety of a Field Dressing Station. Unfortunately, Major Redmond, was not strong enough to survive his injuries and he subsequently died.

Protestant and Catholic men in the 36^th Ulster mourned with their fellow soldiers in the 16^th Irish Division. The War had succeeded in changing Redmond’s thinking. In 1916 he commented that “Out of this War we should try and build a new Ireland … Over their graves build a bridge between North and South.” Reconciliation, Redmond alluded to. Yet, nearly 100 years later, that reconciliation is as far away between the two communities and the sacrifices of the War are often interpreted for political gain or political hijack!

Particularly, around remembrance, I often see this as a powerful and inspiring story, and one that many of us could learn from. What can we learn from this heroic act? An Ulster Unionist risking his life for an Irish Nationalist! A symbolic act of unity.

Can our politicians not use the example of this sacrifice to tackle tribalism, sectarianism and division use this poignant act of reconciliation ? Those who fought and died were willing to leave their political and religious divisions aside; can our politicians and communities across Northern Ireland not do the same? Instead of using misinterpreted History to divide us, use such stories and shared history/narratives to bring us together?

These soldiers were willing to fight a war for future generations – can our politicians and communities not sacrifice their entrenched positions for future generations?

When there is sacrifices for the common good or a greater ideal, the religious and political differences become of secondary importance. It’s a pity our current politicians play political games with remembrance, keeping two communities remembering past differences as opposed to commonality, similarity and opportunity. Some politicians often state that WW1 was truly for the future of small nations. Then what hope has this small nation ?

If only the bravery of John Meeke can be transcended into our modern society, to provide an example that political ideology can divide, but survival, life, humanity and the future are more important. In the battlefield of Northern Ireland politics, can politicians bring the two communities together? Are the two communities capable of coming together? Is it possible for the communities to reciprocate such an act as shown by John Meeke?