Dedication of the Ulster Special Constabulary Obelisk
On the afternoon of Saturday, 29th
July 2006, PUMA members and friends were honoured to attend the dedication of
the Ulster Special Constabulary Obelisk at the National Memorial Arboretum,
Alrewas. Many Special
Constabularies from throughout the United Kingdom were represented. Also present
were members of the RUC GC Foundation, UDR/RIR Associations, NIRPO, NIVA, RMP
Association and councillors from Lichfield, Birmingham, Down and Castlereagh
districts.
The event commenced with a parade of Standards, uniformed officers
and USC Association members marching along Millennium Avenue to the Obelisk,
which is sited adjacent to the Ulster Ash Grove.
The Rev. Canon William Murphy, MBE BD MTh, City of Belfast Chaplain to the USC Association led the service of dedication stating,
“It is mete and proper that we
should bear in remembrance and place on record the names of those brave lives of
the Ulster Special Constabulary through whose supreme sacrifice we have been
served in defence of our beloved province, against terrorists bombs and
bullets.”
Mr Gardiner Kane read the Roll of Honour
from 1920-1970, in memory of the USC officers who lost their lives in the line
of duty.
Mr Richard Scott then read
the Roll of Honour from 1970-1999, in memory of former members of the USC who
were later murdered as a result of terrorism.
Her Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Mr John Giffard and the President of the USC Association, Mr WJ McFarlane, unveiled the Memorial Obelisk, flanked by the USC Historical Platoon. Created in black marble, the Obelisk lists the names of all 243 fallen officers, becoming the first police memorial within the NMA to do so.
The last post was sounded by buglers from
the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment and Mr Richard Stamp, West
Midlands Police. This was immediately followed by the wreath laying ceremony,
with Mrs Suzanne Young laying the wreath on behalf of the Police Unity Memorial
Association. Cpl T Bradley, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish
Regiment played the lament to the fallen on the bagpipes, whilst the Standards
remained dipped in homage to the fallen.
Following the final hymn and National Anthem
Mr Gardiner Kane thanked all those in attendance.
The opportunity was then given to individuals to inspect the memorial and
remember family members and friends whose names are now recorded there.
