A large banner in Spier’s Place above the 90th anniversary UVF mural and the memorial to Marchant, King, and Hamilton.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
plaque
A Company 1st Battalion No 4 Platoon
“This mural is dedicated to the fallen volunteers of No 4 Pltn A Coy 1st Belfast Battn, Ulster Volunteer Force who dutifully served this community in the years of the conflict. It pays tribute both to those who died on active engagement an to the many who passed peacefully from service having fulfilled their duties. Their names and deeds are eternally venerated by their comrades in arms who humbly serve in their honor. ‘They remained staunch to the end against odds uncounted/And fell with their faces to the foe/Their names liveth for evermore’.”
The plaque reads “In memory of our fallen comrades no. 4 platoon A coy. 1st battalion Belfast. Lest we forget.”
The mural shows a graveyard, the left half depicting the gray headstones of WWI burials – a modern volunteer joining a WWI soldier in mourning – while the right shows contemporary headstones of shiny black marble, over which a modern volunteer stands pointing his rifle. Seen previously in 2005.
Glenwood Street, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Bayardo
“At this spot, on 13th August, 1975, five Protestants were killed and up to sixty injured during a Republican bomb and gun attack, led by ex-trainee priest and IRA leader, Brendan ‘Bic’ McFarlane, a close associate of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, achieved, in part, exactly what they set out to do – to murder and maim members of our community in cold blood. … although their mission was completed, their callous agenda failed … the people of West Belfast … emerged stronger and even more resolute, to defeat the pure evil that is Irish Republicanism, once and for all! … the Irish Republican Army … were a homicidal, guerrilla grouping! A criminal organisation devoid of conscience! … a sectarian murder gang. … ” Hugh Alexander Harris, Samuel Gunning, William John Gracey, Joanne McDowell, Linda Boyle. “Erected by the Bayardo Somme Association “A forgotten atrocity”” The attack was in retaliation for the Miami Showband killings and the bar was chosen because it was used by the UVF. Harris was in the UVF and Brigade Staff had been at a meeting in the bar but it had already broken up (WP).
Aberdeen Street, Belfast, on the former site of the Bayardo Bar.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Volunteer Andrew Cairns
“Erected in proud memory of Volunteer Andrew Cairns – Taken from us 12th July 2000 – A true soldier of Ulster”. UVF volunteer Cairns was killed at the Boyne Square bonfire in the UDA feud. See also Cairns & Johnston.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Our RUC Comrades
“To commemorate our RUC comrades killed in 8 Infantry Brigade area of responsibility in the course of the fight against terrorism 1969-2001. “We will remember them”. From all ranks 8 Infantry Brigade . Unveiled jointly by Assistant Chief Constable North Region Acc. S Kincaid, Commander 8 Infantry Brigade Brigadier PR Newton. 11 October 2001.” In St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Murdered By British Forces
“This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Ned Trodden, Sean Gaynor and John McFadden murdered by British Forces 26th September 1920. Also to the people of this area who suffered at the hands of the RIC who operated out of this commendeered [sic] building [i.e. the Beehive Bar] from 1920-1922.” For more on the trio’s deaths, see The RIC Murder Gang (here called “British Forces”). Falls Road, Belfast, above the door of the Beehive.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Carrickfergus RIR/UDR
“This cairn was erected in memory of Ranger Cyril Smith QCM 2nd battalion the Royal Irish Rangers 24th October 1990. Ranger Smith was killed rescuing a civilian driver who had been tied to a car bomb by terrorists. He succeeded in releasing the driver and helping him to safety. As he knowingly re-entered the danger area to warn his comrades the bomb detonated. For this action he was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.”
“In memory of the part-time members of A Coy. 9 UDR who were murdered by terrorists: 24289588 Pte. Russell HJ 12-13th July 1972, 24582042 Pte. Carlton SA 8th January 1982, ex. A Coy: serving 5 UDR Lieutenant Kerr WC 2nd November 1977.”
The RIR was merged with the UDR in 1992. Both memorials are adjacent to the larger war memorial along Marine Highway, Carrickfergus.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Denver Smith
2009 image of the Denver Smith memorial in Parkhall Road, Antrim, previously seen in 2003. The four small plaques along the bottom are missing.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
In Memory Of Brigadier Billy Wright
“In memory of Brigadier Billy Wright (King Rat). ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ – John Ch15v13. Gone but not forgotten.” Loyalist Volunteer Force memorial Craighill in Ballycraigy, Antrim.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
First Person To Die In The Troubles
2009 was the fortieth anniversary of the beginning of the Troubles and of the “first person to be killed in the Troubles – murdered by the RUC at this spot [Main Street, Dungiven] on 14th July 1969”: Francie (Pól Beag) McCloskey. McCloskey was a 67 year-old farmer standing in a shop doorway on the 12th (BelTel) or 13th (An Phoblacht) when the RUC charged nationalist rioters attacking the Orange lodge. He would die of a brain hemorrhage on the 14th. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
