Belfast

Robert Blair (Paddy) Mayne

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Blair Mayne (1916-1955) was a WWII commando and one of the first members of the SAS (Special Air Service), participating in raids behind enemy lines in Egypt and Libya, and later, as SAS commander, in France, Belgium and other countries. His many decorations include the DSO (four times) and French Croix De Guerre and Legion D’Honneur. There is a mural (and a statue) to Mayne in his home town of Newtownards.

The UVF emblem and verse on the right are from the previous (Red Hand Commando/UVF) mural (see D00982). The verse is from Sassoon’s Suicide In The Trenches. “You smug-faced crowd[s] with kindling eye/Who cheer when soldier lads march by,/Sneak home and pray you’ll never know/The hell where youth and laughter go.”

Newtownards Road, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02350 M02349

Ulster Freedom Fighters

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The orange lily makes a rare appearance in a paramilitary mural. The hooded gunmen are from the UFF/UDA. Volunteer Stephen “Benson” Kingsberry is remembered in the panel towards the back of the house. He died from consuming tainted ecstasy (perhaps distributed by the UVF). He was included in the roll of honour in Lemberg Street.

Kilburn Street, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02485