Outrage at UVF wreath in Larkhall

Im wish the British Legion on this one!
as an ex Royal Engineer, I would to have hate to have seen any parade I was in marred by the presence of a wreath from a "Dubious Organision" especcially in a part of the country that is notorious for sectarian Bigotry. These organisations are like a cancer on the fine province of Ireland called Ulster. I as one scot do not want them here! That goes for both sides!. Sectarianism is one of the Lowest forms of rascism!. I just wish more people would treat it as such!.


http://iclanarkshire.icnetwork.co.uk...l&siteid=50144


Outrage at UVF wreath in Larkhall

Hamilton Advertiser


Outraged ex-servicemen this week hit out after a poppy wreath claming to be from the loyalist terrorist group the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was laid at Larkhall Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. A card accompanying the wreath read "From the Battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force". The Royal British Legion immediately slammed the incident as "disgusting and appalling", and there was further condemnation from community groups and politicians..

One bitter member of the Larkhall branch of the Royal British Legion, who asked not to be named, said: "This has overstepped the mark.

"This is supposed to be a ceremony in which Royal British Legion members remember their fallen comrades. It is nothing to do with paramilitaries.

"There has recently been a lot of negative publicity about bigotry in Larkhall and this incident certainly doesn't help."

The town's people gathered at the cenotaph at 11am on Sunday to commemorate those servicemen and servicewomen who gave their lives during two world wars and other conflicts.

On Monday, the Advertiser was tipped off about the wreath from a furious ex-serviceman.

Chief Superintendent Louis Munn of Hamilton Police said police officers who were on duty at Larkhall during the ceremony had not seen a wreath bearing a UVF inscription laid at that time.

He added: "It is possible it was placed at the cenotaph after the ceremony or even during the night.

"Had we seen it happening, it would have been stopped.

"It's advertising support for a proscribed organisation and that in itself is an offence. Whoever did that could have laid themselves open to arrest"

Strong condemnation of the incident also came from Neil Griffiths, the Scottish Poppy Appeal's national spokesman, who said: "This is appalling and it is the first time it has happened in Scotland.


Willie

[Celyn]

Absolutely disgusting. Heck, does Larkhall actually *like* having such a reputation? I feel pretty sorry for any nice, normal people there, and I am sure, as usual, they are the majority, but it's just that these troublemakers make lots of noise.

Originally posted by Celyn
Absolutely disgusting. Heck, does Larkhall actually *like* having such a reputation? I feel pretty sorry for any nice, normal people there, and I am sure, as usual, they are the majority, but it's just that these troublemakers make lots of noise.

wanna know what makes it worse!
Its only a minority who "Like to make it as welcome for catholics as their brothers in BT13!!!!!" I'd say 99.99% of people in larkhall are good decent honest people who hate this reputation my a scum like minority!.
Just my View!
Willie

[scottaldo]

Larkhall is no worse than any other North or South Lanarkshire town.

As long as these organisations combine politics and religion, there will be no immediate solution.

Aye thats true!
but larkhall does have the problem of being prodominatly one side tho!

[Hello123]

I know this topic is from 2002, but I completely stumbled upon it by mistake and as a result I read with shock and horror the comments above. I felt so compelled I had to create an account to respond.

First of all before people start jumping and firing insults, I am from Northern Ireland, im British, Protestant and grew up and live among the Orange community and im very proud of this. I am very into history and especially relating to wars or conflicts (if maybe because I have grown up among one).

Having said the above some may automatically jump the gun and say hes a Loyalist bigot who is anti-catholic. Well actually no being proud of the above things doesn't at all mark you out as a bigot. I have many Roman Catholic friends, they know my background and my interests, I know there's and we all get along fine, being Protestant/Christian makes me aware that everyone is equal and everyone should be treated as you yourself would like to be treated.

After reading the topic I got 2 feelings..1) that the people writing it know nothing about what their talking about and 2) that they themselves maybe the bigots?

For anyone that knows their history will know that the UVF (Ulster Volunteers) of 1912 are not the same organisation nor are they in anyway linked to the present day paramilitary group who also call themselves the UVF. The UVF of 1912 were unofficially Northern Ireland's army. They were well armed and loyal to the British crown, at the outbreak of war tens of thousands of members in the UVF signed up to the British army so many doing so that the British army created a special division which became known as the 36th Ulster Division.

The UVF were to the First World War and fought bravely alongside all other nations. The UVF/36th Ulster Division are actually pretty famous because on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme which was and still is the largest battle to ever take place in history THE ONLY DIVISION to achieve their objectives on that day was the 36th Ulster Division and they paid a terrible sacrifice doing so.

Therefore when this UVF wreath was placed at the memorial in Scotland those involved should have known its being placed at a War Memorial and in memory of those who fought and died in both world wars. As I said it shows a pure lack of knowledge and understanding of who the UVF were, and I would hope all those above knowing this information now will take back their comments as not to insult the lives of brave men who give up their freedom and lives to died in a foreign country so that we may be free and live our lives today.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

[Polwarth]

Not only is this topic from 9 years ago - but only one of the posters is presently posting on this site.