“Village, south Belfast, 2nd battalion, B company.” Young Citizen Volunteers of both the Home Rule (1912) and Troubles periods are shown shouldering rifles.
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00636
UVF volunteer John Hanna was 19 years old when he was killed by “the enemies of Ulster” (the IRA) at his home on Donegall Road in the Village. The kneeling volunteer on the left carries a WWI regimental flag, connecting the modern UVF to the Ulster Volunteers.
The plaque at the centre of the mural reads, “In loving memory of Vol. John Hanna, murdered by the enemies of Ulster 10th September 1991. Always remembered by the offices and volunteers of 2nd Batt. “B” Coy Village. Its [sic] not for riches nor for glory but the love of one’s country which [we] are prepared to die for. Here lies a soldier. Gone but not forgotten. FGAU.”
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00638
“Ulster’s finest – Londonderry UVF 1st battalion, C company”. Here is a trio of loyalist boards in Dennet Gardens, Londonderry with the insignia of the Young Citizen Volunteers, the Ulster Volunteer Force, and the Red Hand Commandos. The design of a garland of flowers containing a regimental insignia dates to the Ulster Volunteers of 1912; the masked volunteers standing to attention do not.
Dennet Gardens, Londonderry
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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00330
A Red Hand Commando volunteer kneels in a garland of poppies. The quote on the left – “It’s not for glory or riches that we fight but for our people” – is based on the Declaration Of Arbroath and seen also in south Belfast (For Freedom Alone) and in Bangor (Remember Them Who Gave Their All). The Declaration was also used on one of the series of murals that can be seen, in part, to the left of the image above – see Ulster’s Freedom Corner.
The quote on the right – “Ulster’s destiny is in our hands; our grip is tight; we’ll never let go.” – appears to be original to the RHC.
Tower Street, east Belfast, replacing a version that had a solid white background.
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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy
T00454
“Ballybeen C Coy East Belfast”, “Lamh dearg abu”, “It is not for glory or riches that we fight but for our people. We will always protect our community.” The first part of the quotation is based on the Declaration Of Arbroath (see also this RHC C Coy mural in east Belfast); “we will always protect our community” is original.
Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald
(In some images of this mural, the top scroll says simply “Ballybeen”.)
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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy
T00435
This is an in-progress image of the UVF/YCV mural in Walnut Street, Donegall Pass, south Belfast, being painted by Gareth Keys and already paint-bombed. For the completed work, see M01522.
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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T01198
“It is not for glory or riches that we fight but for our people” (based on the Declaration Of Arbroath) is familiar in loyalist murals – see e.g. For Freedom Alone) but “As poppy petals gently fall/Remember them who gave their all” here makes a very infrequent appearance. It comes from The UDR Soldier, by John Potter. The mural thus links together the UDR (1970-1992) and D Company of the North Down Red Hand Commando.
Owenroe Drive, Kilcooley, Bangor
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Copyright © 1999 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T01181
On the left, volunteers from the Red Hand Commando with bare faces stand with lowered flags beside a plinth “in memory of Ulster’s fallen”.
On the right, “In memory of Ulster’s fallen.” “Lamh dearg abu” [= “Lámh dhearg abú”] [= “Red Hand to victory”], “Ulster to victory”, “It is not for glory or riches we fight but for our people” (from the Declaration Of Arbroath). With the insignia of the Red Hand Commando and a pair of bald-headed eagles.
Glenwood Street, upper Shankill, west Belfast
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Copyright © 1999 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
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“South Belfast 2nd Battalion B Company Village”. Hooded gunmen from the UVF take aim at the viewer.
Tavanagh Street, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 1999 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T01191
“In loving memory of fallen volunteers [from the] Ulster Volunteer Force Belfast Brigade, Donegall Road 2nd Battalion, A Coy”. The two plaques unfortunately cannot be read.
The side wall shows volunteers with lowered weapons flanking a memorial “In proud and loving memory of Vol. Stevie McCrea, Friend Sammy Mehaffy”.
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Copyright © 1999 Paddy Duffy
T00445
Paddy Duffy Collection 