Tom Williams commemoration
By Laura Friel
It is with some sadness, says Liam Shannon of the National Graves
Association, that Republicans will gather in Milltown Cemetery
this Sunday to mark the 54th Anniversary of Tom Williams' death.
For over thirty years the National Graves Association has
campaigned for the release of his remains which are buried in an
unmarked grave within the grounds of Belfast's Crumlin Road Jail.
Williams was hanged in the jail on 2 September 1942 after a
campaign to commute the death sentence was rejected by the
British. His dying wish was to be buried with his comrades but to
date that wish has remained unfulfilled.
``When we successfully secured a warrant of remission signed by
the British Queen, which releases Tom Williams' remains, we
thought the issue had finally been resolved,'' says Liam, ``but
despite the best efforts of the National Graves Tom Williams is
still buried in Crumlin Road Jail.''
A question mark even hangs over which grave Tom Williams will be
finally laid to rest in. There are two possible sites in Milltown
cemetery. A plot has been reserved by his comrades in the hope
that one day Tom's final wish will be honoured. In a fitting
tribute, the plot lies within the County Antrim Memorial beneath
a sculptured representation of different phases of struggle
throughout Ireland's turbulent history.
The grave of Tom Williams' mother Mary, where two of her infant
daughters and father-in-law are also buried, is another possible
site. An inscription on the Williams' family grave, erected by
Tom Williams' father, reads ``and in proud memory of Lieut. Thomas
J Williams, C Coy IRA, executed 2nd Sept.1942 in Belfast Prison
age 19 years''. Tom's father not only recognised his son's status
as an IRA Volunteer but proudly did so.
The final decision rests with Tom Williams' surviving next-of-kin
but clearly, as indicated by the Williams' family plot, Tom's
father wanted his son to be recognised and buried as an IRA
Volunteer. Perhaps within the context of the current peace
process there is an opportunity to set aside any differences and
allow Tom Williams' last wishes to be finally realised.
Meanwhile the National Graves Association have sent a formal
application to the NIO requesting access to the spot where Tom
Williams is currently buried in Crumlin Road Jail. ``We would like
to lay a wreath at the site to mark this year's anniversary,''
says Liam. ``I don't expect there could be any objection given the
fact that Crumlin Road Jail is now empty and closed.''
A commemoration addressed by Tyrone Assembly member Barry
McElduff will be held Sunday 6 September. Assemble at Milltown
cemetery 1pm.
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