UDR memorial vandalised
A MEMORIAL to two UDR soldiers who lost their lives in an IRA bomb attack has been desecrated by vandals.
Poppy wreaths and floral tributes were laid last week to mark the 22nd anniversary of the deaths of soldiers James Cummings and Frederick Starrett, who were murdered by the IRA on Royal Avenue in Belfast’s city centre on February 24, 1988.
The two soldiers, who were both 22 years old when they were killed, died on mobile patrol when the IRA detonated a remote control bomb hidden behind hoardings.
Mr Starrett, who was engaged to be married when he was murdered, had been in the UDR just four months. He was a lay preacher and member of Sandown Free Presbyterian Church in east Belfast.
Mr Cummings had served with the regiment for two years before his death, and was a member of Johnston’s Golden Star Orange Lodge.
To honour the memory of the young soldiers, who were both Orangemen, the Ulster Defenders of the Realm LOL 710 organise an annual march and accompanying memorial service on the last Saturday in February.
The memorial march, which this year left from east Belfast on February 27, saw around 500 people meet in the city centre to lay the floral tribute.
The wreaths and flowers, placed at a tree opposite Castle Court, were then found torn apart on Monday morning. It is believed the vandalism took place some time between Sunday night and the early hours of the following morning. They have now been removed.
A spokesman for the Country Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast condemned the damage to the memorial as “sectarian vandalism” and said: “The wreaths and flowers were placed in Royal Avenue to honour the memory of two brethren murdered by the IRA, who had served bravely with the Ulster Defence Regiment.
“The prayers and thoughts of Ulster Defenders of the Realm LOL 710, the organisers of the annual memorial service when the wreaths were laid, are with the families concerned as such an act of sectarian vandalism no doubt added hurt to their ongoing grief and pain.”
