Wreath Laying Ceremony for Professor Frank Pantridge

October 4, 2017

Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Tim Morrow, welcomed guests at Lagan Valley Island, 30th September, to host the annual National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association wreath laying ceremony at the Professor Pantridge statue.

The Mayor was joined by fellow elected members, Chief Executive Dr Theresa Donaldson, MLA’s, and representatives from the National Malaya and Borneo Veteran Association.

Reverend Edward Gorringe CF, Padre of the National Malaya and Borneo Veteran Association led the ceremony with the delivery of poignant prayers and a short sermon. 

The Mayor addressed those assembled and said: “Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is very proud to host this annual ceremony in memory of Major Frank Pantridge and the brave heroes who served alongside him in Singapore.

“Today, by laying a wreath in memory, we take time to honour a man who transformed emergency medicine and paramedic services saving lives worldwide.
“In 1965 Professor Pantridge with the help of John Geddes, a senior house officer, and technician Alfred Mawhinney, invented the world's first portable defibrillator.

“In today’s society, miniature defibrillators are routinely used thousands of times a day throughout the world thanks to the outstanding work of Professor Pantridge. 

“The Council have understood the importance of these devices and in recent years provided defibrillators for sports clubs and public spaces within the local community.

“In 1990 Professor Frank Pantridge, CBE, was awarded the honour of Freeman of the Borough by the then Lisburn Borough Council, the highest honour it can bestow, for his contribution to worldwide mobile coronary care.  We are very proud of his legacy, his work has certainly touched the lives of so many individuals across the world.

“Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is privileged to continue to work very closely with the Malaya and Borneo Veteran’s Association and the Pantridge Trust on a number of occasions. We also take a moment to remember those National Malaya Borneo Veterans that served alongside Professor Pantridge and commemorate them for their bravery and sacrifice for their country.

“I would like to conclude by thanking the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association Chairman and Secretary for organising such a poignant ceremony and thank everyone for taking the time to attend today’s service.”