Major Nicholas Barne LVO

                                    Kensington Palace

                                    LONDON

                                    W8 4PU

                                    14^th June 01

                                    Dear Nicholas,

On the 1^st July 01 we will be celebrating the 85^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at the Ulster Tower, Thiepval, France. 

The following dignitaries will be attending:

First Minister of Northern Ireland, Rt. Hon. David Trimble, MP

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt. Hon. Dr John Reid

The Minister of Finance & Personnel for Northern Ireland, Mr Mark Durkan, MLA

Mr G. McLaughlin, Head of the Civil Service, Northern Ireland

General Officer Commanding Land Forces Northern Ireland, Lt. Gen. A.S.H. Irwin, CBE

The British Ambassador to France, Sir Michael Jay, KCMG

The Lord O’Neill, TD, The Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim

Lord Rogan of Lower Iveagh, Patron of the Somme Association

The Marchioness of Dufferin & Ava, Patron of the Somme Association

Major W. Hall, JP, The Lord Lieutenant for County Down

Madame Potié, Maire de Thiepval

Representatives of the French Government

Representatives of the four main Churches in Northern Ireland

Dr. S.I.G. Adamson, Chairman of the Somme Association

We would be highly honoured if Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, our Honorary President, would consider sending a message to be read at the commemoration ceremony.  I enclose her last message of 1^st July 1991 on the occasion of the 75^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which was the highlight of that occasion.

Every good wish.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dr S.I.G. Adamson OBE, MLA