Here Lies a Soldier

A memorial plaque for Stephen Desmond McCrea, associated with the Red Hand Commando (RHC), a loyalist paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. The plaque includes several key elements:

Design and Symbols:
Red Hand Commando Emblem – A circular logo with a red hand, wings, and a Star of David, along with the motto "Lámh Dearg Abú" (Irish for "Victory to the Red Hand").
Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Emblem – Featuring the Red Hand of Ulster with the words "For God and Ulster."
YCV Emblem – The Young Citizen Volunteers (YCV), historically linked to the UVF, represented with a green shamrock and the red hand.
Banner "Lest We Forget" – Alongside McCrea's birth (31.5.52) and death (18.2.89) dates.
A Portrait of McCrea – Central to the plaque.
Text Content:
It describes McCrea's background, stating he was from The Village Area of South Belfast and joined the Village RHC during The Troubles.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1972 for his role in a retaliatory shooting and served 15 years in Long Kesh prison.
After his release, he was killed in an IRA attack at the Orange Cross Club in the Shankill area on 16th February 1989. The text claims he sacrificed himself to protect his friend, succumbing to injuries two days later in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Context:
This memorial is a tribute within a loyalist community, portraying McCrea as a "soldier" who fought against republicans during The Troubles. Such memorials are often found in areas with strong paramilitary affiliations, particularly in South Belfast's Village area, which has a deep UVF and RHC history.