PUL

The Fallen Of The 36th (Ulster) Division

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“The Billy Greer Somme memorial garden was opened by Jamesy “The Piper” Walker on the 14th December 2007. Dedicated to the fallen of the 36th (Ulster) Division at the battle of the Somme 1st July 1916. We will remember them.” Greer, East Antrim UVF commander, died in July 2006 (Mulvenna).

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Monkstown 1st Batt UDA

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This is a new version of the Monkstown UDA 1st battalion mural on Devenish Drive. The previous showed volunteers on manoeuvres in front of Three Mile Water aqueduct in the top portion. This new mural shows graveside volunteers with assault rifles point down, mourning William Hobbs and James Boyd McClurg. The two died from a premature bomb explosion on May 10th, 1977, across the road from the mural in Seagoe Gardens; Hobbs died immediately, McClurg of his injuries a few weeks later. “All gave some, some gave all.”

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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UVF South Belfast 2nd Battalion

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“In proud memory of our fallen comrades from the officers and members of South Belafst 2nd Battalion [‘A’ Company Donegall Pass] ‘Glorious on the graves of heroes, kindly upon all those who have suffered for the cause. Thus will shine the dawn. They gave their tomorrow for our today.'” UVF memorial garden in Walnut Street.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Peace Cannot Be Kept By Force

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The theme “Remember the fallen from war” is illustrated by a bombed-out Ballymacarret library on Templemore Avenue and St. Patrick’s church, which is just across the street from the mural, both of which were hit during the blitz in 1942, a police land rover perhaps indicates the dead during the Troubles, while Cuchulainn stands for the IRA (and/or for the UDA?). The word “peace” appears next to an image of Stormont (bottom right) painted in white rather than grey.

We are supposed to remember the dead because (perhaps) their deaths were unnecessary and misguided as means to peace, at least according to the saying along the bottom (sometimes attributed to Einstein): “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” – understanding of the Nazis during the blitz, it seems, and of loyalists during the Troubles. If you have a better interpretation, please (please!) leave a comment.

The mural was imitated on the hoarding around the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road during its renovation, though this version does not mention the blitz and seems to be lamenting the CNR dead and calling for understanding of the CNR community (sc. by Britain and the Orange state) – see X01279.

Lendrick Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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