Nationalists and republicans throughout Ireland have welcomed the news that the remains of IRA Volunteer Tom Williams have been exhumed from the grave in Crumlin Road jail, Belfast, where he was buried after his execution by the British on 2 September 1942. Now, 57 years later and after a campaign lasting many years for his removal from the Belfast jail, the IRA Volunteer will soon receive a proper burial.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, Liam Shannon of the National Graves Association, which spearheaded the campaign for Williams' reburial, said: ``While the move is welcome, it is long overdue.''
Williams' remains were disinterred on Saturday, 28 August and have been taken to the state pathologist's laboratory for examination and identification, a process which could take up to six weeks.
Republicans have campaigned for a long time to have Williams buried in the Republican plot in Belfast's Milltown Cemetery, in a grave set aside for him since his execution. Members of Williams' family, however, would prefer that he be buried in the family grave alongside his father.
Williams, although only 19, was the Officer Commanding of C Company First Battalion of the Belfast Brigade and along with five others John Oliver, James Perry, Joe Cahill, Harry Cordner, and Sean Simpson were convicted of killing RUC member Patrick Murphy on Easter Sunday of that year.
However, after a campaign to have the six reprieved, which was supported by Pope Pious XII, the U.S. administration and Eamon de Valera, five of the six were reprieved; Williams as OC, however, took responsibility for the operation and was hanged on 2 September 1942.
Joe Cahill has said of Williams: ``He was one of the bravest people I have ever met. He was only 19 years old but a man of tremendous courage and great determination. I still think about him a lot.''
The National Graves Association, which has led the campaign for the removal of Williams, had said before his death that his wish was to be buried at Milltown and Liam Shannon, spokesperson for the NGA said: ``We hope that Tom Williams' last wish will be carried out and that he will be buried with his comrades.''
Madge McConville, who took part in the operation in September 1942 with Williams, told An Phoblacht: ``Tom was a Belfast boy - let the people of Belfast bury him.''
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)
