Originally from Enniskillen Bill Eames, accompanied by Selwyn Johnston attended the presentation of new Colours to the Royal Irish Regiment at the Titanic Quarter by the Duke of York, their Colonel and Chief.

While waiting for the parade to start, several Officers from the Regiment made a special point of coming over to Bill and kindly chatted to him about his time as an RAF pilot during WW2 and one of the first pilots to tow gliders into Normandy on D-Day.

Bill explained that:

"I nearly joined the Inniskillings but the recruiting office in Omagh said I was too young - I joined the RAF instead." He added:

"If I had have joined the Inniskillings I probably would have been the oldest member of the regiment here today at 95."

RAF Flight Lieutenant Eames wished all the Officers well with their forthcoming parade duties and their future career in the RIR. Bill felt the RIR Officers thoughtfulness in speaking to him and their performance on the parade ground was exemplary and will long be remembered by him and everyone who attended. They are certainly a credit to their Regiment and made a WW2 veteran extremely proud. Bill currently resides in Lisburn although makes frequent visits to Enniskillen to see his family. He also explained how he looks forward to reading the Impartial Reporter every week just as he did when his mother posted a copy to him while he was stationed away from home with the RAF during WW2.