They Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice

“This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Col. Trevor King, died 9th July 1994, Major Wm. (Frenchie) Marchant, died 28th April 1987, Davy Hamilton, Died 17th June 1994. These brave men died near this spot [the corner of Spier’s Place and Shankill Road, Belfast] by the enemies of Ulster. No sacrifice is too great for one’s country. They paid the ultimate sacrifice. ‘They shall grow not old/as we that are left grow old/Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn/At the going down of the sun and in the morning/We will remember them.'” King and Hamilton (along with Colin Craig, an RUC informer and not included on the plaque) were shot by the INLA and died of their wounds three weeks and one day later. Frenchie Marchant was shot by the IRA outside The Eagle chip shop. The plaque is surrounded by a garland of three nation’s flowers: shamrock, rose, and thistle.

For the previous version, see T00258.

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
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Ulster 1912-1914

These three murals are at the Rex Bar (Moscow Street, Belfast), celebrating resistance to Home Rule – Covenant Day September 28th 1912; the formation of the Ulster Volunteers, being reviewed at Fernhill House in Glencairn Park by Edward Carson; “Deserted! Well I can stand alone”; and (in post-partition Northern Ireland) “a [masked!] Protestant farmer’s wife guards her husband against sectarian attack from across the border”.

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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(close-ups of the small boards along the top)

Shankill Protestant Boys

UDA and UVF murals on opposite corners of Northumberland St at the Shankill Road but with the same flute band – the Shankill Protestant Boys USSF (Fb | tw). “Ulster’s No 1 band, Shankill Protestant Boys, supports Drumcree.” The UVF side would outlast the UDA side, though the UFF board up above the Harp ad would remain until 2014 when the corner was redeveloped (into Conor’s Corner).

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Long To Reign Over Us

“Elizabeth the second by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and our other realms and territories, queen, head of the commonwealth, defender of the faith.” “Elizabeth II dea [sic] gratia Britannia regina fidei defensor”. “We the British subjects of Ulster pledge our allegiance to her sovereign majesty Queen Elizabeth II now and forever. The heart of the empire Ulsters loyal citizens.” Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952 (she was crowned in 1953). 2002 was her golden jubilee year.

North Howard Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
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