The Colony, Cregagh, Belfast.
The “Colony” was the name given to a development by the Irish Soldiers and Sailors Land Trust in 1925 to provide homes for returning heroes (ex-servicemen) and their families.
The development was built on a green field site. The streets were named after Great War battles, Bapaume Avenue, Picardy Avenue, Thiepval Avenue, Hamel Drive, Albert Drive, Somme Drive.
There is a Great War memorial without names.
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 D.L., M.P. (a brother of Thomas Andrews, Managing Director
of Harland & Wolff) 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.
THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTS OF THIS “COLONY” WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
HAMILTON, W. Royal Ulster Rifles
HUTCHINSON, N. Royal Ulster Rifles
McMILLEN, R. Royal Ulster Rifles
STEVENSON, E. Royal Ulster Rifles
BELSHAW, A. Royal Air Force
NEWTON, J. L. Royal Air Force
KELLY, P. Royal Air Force
MARTIN, W. Royal Navy
PROUDFOOT, A. Royal Navy
CASSIDY, J. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
STEWART, A. Merchant Navy
O’NEILL, J. Irish Guards
SPRINKS, E. Irish Guards
CRAIG, W. 2nd, A.I.F.
KELLY, CHARLES PHILIP, SERGEANT, FLIGHT ENGINEER.
Service No. 2204866
Son of Charles and Margaret Kelly, Somme Drive, Cregagh, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The following information is courtesy of Philip Doms, [centre in image below] one of a small group of people who raised a monument to the dead crew near the crash site.
‘Charles Philip Kelly, from 6 Somme Drive, Belfast, was a Flight Engineer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. The Lancaster bomber in which he was flying was shot down over Belgium on the night of 25/04/1944. There were no survivors.
On the 50th anniversary of the crash a memorial was erected in the local village to the crew.
Recently [2010] the crash site area has received planning permission for development.
During the clearing of some trees pieces of aluminium appeared. The owner and also developer of the site, granted permission for further investigations.
Since then, other parts including an engine have been found.
‘The proposed plans are to excavate further and to make from the found pieces a symbol for the fallen. It will be placed at a special place at the site, a place for remembrance and reflection nearby the crash site. The new buildings and the two new streets on the building site will be named after the crew members.’
The memorial is located on the border of Sint-Katelijne-Waver and Mechelen. The event will take place on 25th April 2014, 70 years on from the day the crew lost their lives
Philip Doms, one of the small group who organized and undertook the erection of the memorial, is in the centre of the image. Charles Kelly’s image is top right.
VETERANS’ BRIDGE
The Veteran’s Bridge is part of the Connswater Greenway. The surrounding area has strong local links to war veterans of both the First and Second World Wars. Many of the nearby homes housed ex-servicemen and World War veterans. Street names such as Picardly Avenue and Hamel Drive are named after World War 1 battles and road names such as Alanbrooke Road and Montgomery Road are named in honour of World War Two field marshals.
This sign is located in the green area on Alexander Road, opposite the entrance to Castlereagh P.S.N.I. Station.
Biographical Details.
Adams, Ernest, Private, No. 22623, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Boland, William, Rifleman No. 8/14099, Royal Irish Rifles.
Could be Boyd James, Douglas Street, Rifleman, 4th Royal Irish Rifles.
Black, William Wesley, Private, No. 3179, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Son of William and Fanny Black of 16 Euston Street, Beersbridge Road, Belfast.) Died of Wounds in France August 1st. 1915. Buried in Chocquer Military Cemetery in France. Plot 1- Row D- Grave 45
Boyd, John, Sergeant, No. 12581, Royal Irish Rifles
Currie, James, Rifleman, 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Husband of Sarah, 14 Canton Street. Beersbridge Road, Belfast. Son of Edward and Ellen Jane McKeown [Formerly Currie] of 8 Frankfort Street, Beersbridge Road, Belfast.) Killed in Action at the Somme. July 2nd 1916. His Sacrifice is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Dickson, William J. 12723. Corporal, William J. Dickson 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Son of James and Mary Ann Dickson, 42 Douglas Street, Beersbridge Road, Belfast) Killed in Action 11th June 1916 in France Buried in Authuile Military Cemetery in France. Row D Grave No 7.
Could be Gardner Joseph, 33 Glenallen Street, Private, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles. Killed in Action.
Could be Gardner A. W., 39 Hatton Drive, Private, Army Service Corps. Killed in Action.
Could be Gardner William, 39 Hatton Drive, Drummer 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers Missing.
Could be GILLESPIE, TOWNLEY SHERWOOD, Private, North Irish Horse Age: 27 Date of Death: 13/11/1915 Service No: 1636, Son of William Henry and Sarah E. Gillespie, of 52, Haddington Gardens, Belfast. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: H2. 15. Cemetery: Belfast City Cemetery
GREER, JOHN, Stoker, 1st Class, Royal Navy, H.M.S. “Racoon.” Son of John and Isabella Greer, of 104, Ravenhill Rd., Belfast.
Herron, Hugh, Lance-Corporal, 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. (Son of John and Mary Herron 11 Canton Street, Beersbridge Road, Belfast). Died of Wounds in France 8th December, 1917. His Sacrifice is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Hughes, James, 5932, Rifleman, James Hughes 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, 52 Douglas Street. Beersbridge Road Belfast) Killed in Action at the Somme 9th September, 1916. His Sacrifice is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France and on the Memorial Plaque in McQuiston Memorial Church. His Brother
Hughes, Robert, 5932. Rfn. James Hughes 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, 52 Douglas Street. Beersbridge Road Belfast. Killed in Action at the Somme 9th September, 1916. His Sacrifice is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France and on the Memorial Plaque in McQuiston Memorial Church.
Could be HAYES, FRANK GORDON, Lance-Corporal, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 7th/8th Bn. Age: 19 Date of Death: 16/08/1917 Service No: 24047. Son of Frank and Annie Hayes, of 83, Ogilvie St., Belfast.
Could be Irwin William. James, Cregagh Road, 2nd Lieutenant 3rd R.I.R. Killed,
Could be KINNEAR, WILLIAM JOHN, Rifleman, Royal Irish Rifles, 8th Bn. Date of Death: 02/07/1916 Service No: 15076 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Matier, William, 12474, Rifleman, William Matier 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. (Husband of Catherine Matier of 21 Bangor Street, off Willowfield Street, Belfast. Son of John and Kathleen Matier, 34 Walton Street. Crumlin Road. Belfast.) Killed in Action 9th July 1916 aged 37. Buried in St. Souplet British Cemetery in France.
Peacock, Walter, Second Lieutenant, Royal Irish Fusiliers. Son of George Henry and Annie Peacock, of 17, Dromore St., Cregagh, Belfast.
Poag, September 6, 1916, killed in France, Bombardier Robert Poag, R.G.A., second son of Robert Poag, 103, Woodstock Road. The death is announced in our obituary column this morning of Bombardier Robert Poag, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action on the 6th inst. He was the second son of Mr. Robert Poag, 103, Woodstock Road, Belfast, and a brother of Lance-Corporal James Poag, Royal Irish Rifles, who fell in action on 23rd October, 1914. Another brother, William, who is serving in the Royal Marines, was wounded last year during the operations on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Savage, Joseph, Rifleman, Royal Irish Rifles. Husband of Annie Savage, of 42, Epworth Street, Belfast.
Towe, John, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), Service No: 18731, Son of Jane Towe, of 54, Richardson St., Belfast, and the late Hugh Towe.
Whelan, Robert Selkirk, MC, MM., Company Sergeant-Major, Royal Irish Rifles, Son of John Edward Whelan, of 3725, 64, Ravenhill Rd., Belfast, and the late Elizabeth Whelan.
Could be WOODSIDE, WALLACE McMULLAN, Corporal, Royal Irish Rifles, 14th Bn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 05/07/1916 Service No: 14/16107, Son of John T. Woodside, M.D., and Maria Woodside, of Belfast. Joined and fought with the 36th (Ulster) Division.
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