The 36th (Ulster) Division, formed from the Ulster Volunteers, went “over the top” at the Battle of the Somme on July 1st, 1916, losing about 5,500 men. They are mourned in this Mount Vernon arch by a soldier from the period. The “2005” date on the right, and the graveside mourner in modern UVF fatigues are intended to link the Ulster Volunteers with the UVF.
See similarly 1912-2002 in Carrickfergus.
In the background is (the second) “Prepared for peace, ready for war” mural.
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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
M03023
Peter Moloney Collection 