There are several interesting photographs including one of Mrs Flora Shields handing over the medals her late husband, Major George Shields, to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers’ Museum. Major Shields medals had been stolen in 1964 when they were swiped from a shop during repairs. The turned up in 1980 in the East End of London. Mrs Flora Shields, the major’s widow, agreed to exchange the copies for the originals.
And there is also a photograph of Councillor Cedric Wilson launching the public petition demanding a full judicial inquiry into the Kincora Boys’ Home sex scandal outside the home on the Upper Newtownards Road in Belfast
See who you might see from days gone by.
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An Ulster hero's wartime medals which had been stolen 18 years previously were recovered by Scotland Yard in London reported the News in Letter February 1982. They were handed over to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers' Museum by the widow of the hero, Major George Shields. His prized Military Medal and the MBE were among his decorations stolen from a shop in 1964 when they were being remounted. He did not realise they had been replaced by copies when he collected them with new ribbons. Six months later, when his daughter noticed his name was not engraved on the medals, that the alarm was raised and the story emerged. Then in 1980, before George died, the Fusiliers' museum at Enniskillen Castle received an inquiry from a man claiming to be a grandson of the hero, who wanted to know who the Military Medal was won. This alerted the regiment, which already knew about the switch, and soon afterwards Scotland Yard detectives called at an East End house in London and saw George's medal, which had been innocently bou
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Councillor Cedric Wilson launching the public petition demanding a full judicial inquiry into the Kincora Boys' Home sex scandal outside the home on the Upper Newtownards Road in Belfast in February 1982. In spite of repeated pleas from public figures to make it a full judicial inquiry, Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Prior had refused. Mr Prior had maintained that it would be unfair to several witnesses called to give evidence of alleged sexual activity to have affairs open to public gaze. Picture: News Letter archives
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Mrs Doreen Neill of Action MS, Mr Stanley Anderson from the Trustee Savings Bank (TSB), Mrs Ann Walker of Action MS, and Chief Inspector Cyril Gilpin of the RUC Community Relations Branch with the Bronze Boot. The boot was to be awarded to top fundraiser for the charity. Walks were planned across Northern Ireland including Belvoir Forest Park, Scrabo Country Park in Newtownards, Belfast Castle and Drum Manor Forest Park in Cookstown. Picture: News Letter archives
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A colourful 11 year old had a brush of success in February 1982. Peter Cosgrove from the Banbridge Road in Dromara, Co Down, was announced as the winner of Sparky's Christmas Painting Competition which had been run by the Presbyterian Herald. There were more than 150 entrants from all over Ireland, for the competition, which was based on the Christmas message. He is pictured at Church House in Belfast with the Moderator the Right Reverend Dr John Girvan and the city's Lord Mayor, Councillor Mrs Grace Bannister. Also pictured, dressed up as 'Sparky' is Jason McFadden from Ballymena. Picture: News Letter archives
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Ulster Television presenter Rose Neill relaxes with her Weimaraner German gundogs Linus and Burgo along the Marine walk beside Bangor Bay, after the hustle and bustle of the television studio in February 1982. Picture: News Letter archives
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Belfast Lord Mayor Mrs Grace Bannister delivered an accolade in February 1982 to the Royal British Legion in Northern Ireland. She said it was the legion's “hard work and devotion” that had produced a record Poppy Day collection in the province in 1980 when £226,549 was raised. She said: “It reflects great credit on all concerned, and particularly the women who do so much behind the scenes. We appreciate very much what you have done and continuing to do for our ex-servicemen and women.” Pictured are the colour party at the annual meeting of the women's branch of the Royal British Legion at Malone Presbyterian Church in Belfast. Picture: News Letter archives
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Police musicians got into the swing of things in February 1982 when they paraded in new uniforms fore the first time. The special concert by the band of the Royal Ulster Constabulary marked the start of the organisation's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The new concert uniform was modelled on the RUC officers' mess dress. It had a red body and sleeves with black shawl collar, black rifle cuffs and black epaulettes. The finishing touches included white shirts, bow ties, green cumberbunds and black braided trousers. Women members wore white blouses and long black shirts. The programme for the concert at the Garnerville complex in Belfast had been selected by Superintendent Andrew Forbes, director of music of the band. Pictured above, the RUC band wearing new concert uniforms at the special concert held at RUC Garnerville in February 1982. Below, trombonists Christine Murphy, right, and Valerie Trimble, were the only women in the RUC band at that time. Pictures: News Letter archives