‘Overwhelming’ turnout in Belfast to commemorate slain UDR soldiers

A weekend parade involving hundreds of Orange Order members and Ulster Defence Regiment veterans in Belfast city centre has been hailed as a “dignified commemoration” of two slain UDR soldiers.
By Mark Rainey
Published 1st Mar 2020, 15:00 BST
A Memorial parade took place to mark the 32th anniversary of deaths of Private Fred Starrett and Private James Cummings. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.A Memorial parade took place to mark the 32th anniversary of deaths of Private Fred Starrett and Private James Cummings. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
A Memorial parade took place to mark the 32th anniversary of deaths of Private Fred Starrett and Private James Cummings. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Frederick Starrett and James Cummings, both 22, were killed by an IRA bomb as they arrived to close security gates at Royal Avenue on February 24, 1988.

On Saturday, a parade and memorial service organised by the Orange Order marked the 32nd anniversary of their murder.

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Both soldiers were members of the institution’s Ballymacarrett No6 District – Banner of the Cross LOL 1310 and Johnston’s Golden Star LOL 1934 respectively.

One of the band members who took part in Saturday’s parade was the son of a Co Down man murdered by the IRA in 1985.

Sammy Heenan – who was on parade with the Legananny Accordion Band – said the turnout and the determination to honour the memory of the two men was “overwhelming”.

“The UDR has been denigrated over many years, but these men were killed while closing the security barriers to keep the city safe,” he said.

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“The turnout for this dignified commemoration shows the high regard in which the UDR were held. There is this onslaught against them, but it is imperative that we ensure that their memory and their integrity is protected.

“It was just overwhelming to see the hundreds who had turned out commemorate these two men who gave their all for peace and prosperity in our province. There were also large numbers of people in the city centre along the parade route.”

Mr Heenan added: “It is very important that we continue to commemorate men like Private Starrett and Private Cummings, especially as there is now a rewriting of our history with historical revisionism like we have never witnessed before.”

The wreath-laying service at the scene of the atrocity was led by Rev David McIlveen.