A CELTIC CROSS.

Unveiled at Cregagh by Rt. Hon. J. M. Andrew.

A Celtic Cross in Thiepval Avenue, Cregagh, which is the war memorial of Cregagh district, was unveiled on Armistice eve by Rt, Hon. J. M. Andrews. D.L., M.P.  Thiepval Avenue is in the centre of an ex-Servicemens colony which is situated nearly at the end of the Cregagh tram lines. The avenue is named in memory of one of Ulster’s greatest fights in the war and the Cross is in simple yet solemn memory of those who gave their lives for Ulster and the Empire,

At the ceremony were about 2,000 sympathetic spectators, many of them wearing medals.

All units taking part in the proceedings, assembled at a suitable point nearby and under the orders of Major C. Blakiston-Housion who had Mr.D. McCullough and Sergeant Dixon to assist him.  On parade were Sea Scouts, Boys’ Brigade boys, Girl Guides and detachments of ex-Servicemen. They were inspected by the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava and after the in­spection, headed by two bands, they marched to Thiepval Avenue and formed up at the war memorial.

The ceremony was of the conventional type and included a short religious service in which Rev. J. Howe. Rev. C. W. A. Houston, M.A., and Rev. D. Stewart took part. The “two minutes silence,” preceded and followed by the “Last Post” and the “Reveille” was observed. Afterwards there was the laying on of wreaths.

Rt. Hon. J. M. Andrews performed the cere­mony of unveiling, and in a voice which could be heard far and wide pronounced the appropriate words: ‘”To the sacred memory of those men of Cregagh and district who made the supreme sacrifice.” Lord Dufferin laid the first wreath in position.

Captain the Right Hon. Herbert Dixon, D.L., M.P., who presided, thanked Lord Dufferin for his interest and his presence there. “ The Marquis,” he said, has an    unfailing interest in ex-Servicemen and tries to help them in every   way he can.” Of any part of Ulster which deserves to have a memorial, be continued, there was no part which sent more men to the front and none more worthy to have such a memorial than Cregagh district.  “ They very men of Ulster,” be pointed out, “who went to the front were the men who collected to defend Ulster when they thought there was a    grievance against the Mother Country.  But when the Mother Country was in need of them they fought and died for her. This memorial will be remembered for the men who died as well as for the men who lived to serve after the war when Ulster was in diffi­culty.”  Captain Dixon concluded with a special word of thanks to Mr. McCullough, who organised the ceremony

Rev. John Redmond. M.A., Hon. C.F., gave an appropriate address, and the singing of the National Anthem concluded an impressive ceremony.     

Amongst those present were Sir William Turner, D.L., and Lady Turner, Captain Creighton (British Legion), Mr. George Gray, J.P., and Mrs. Coleman.

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Visit to Cregagh ex-Servicemen’s Colony by the Prince of Wales, November, 1932.

The Prince gave another demonstration of his interest in the welfare of ex-soldiers and their families, when, on his way to the Belfast Ropeworks in the afternoon, he decided to call at the Cregagh ex-Servicemen’s Colony.
This greatly delighted the residents of the district, who lined the streets and gave him a wonderful reception. He was received by Dr. H. D. Heazlet (president
of the Cregagh Branch of the British Legion); Dr. J. V. Craig (vice-president) Captain Whitla (chairman), Mr. M’Cullough (secretary) and members of the committee were
presented to him.

After visiting the Cenotaph, the Prince made a tour of the colony.

Belfast News-Letter, Saturday 19 November, 1932.