My name is Spike Pike, an ex-soldier who did a tour of Belfast in 1981 at the time of the hunger strike. I am now a member of Veterans for Peace. This is about my journey towards reconciliation and peace. It started at the Veterans for Peace UK Annual General Meeting where I met Lee Lavis who was speaking about his work in Belfast. When he had finished he asked, are there any questions? My hand shot up and I said, ‘I’d like to work with you.’ The ball was rolling.
Day 1 -Thursday 7th August
I had driven to Glasgow the previous day as that’s how the journey would have been in 1981, Glasgow to Belfast. I was hoping to recreate the same feelings I had then, it worked. My dad used to drive me to the airport back then, but unfortunately he’s too old to drive now. So I’d arranged for my sister-in-law Dee to take me. An hour before Dee arrived my guts were in knots. I was pacing about my parents house, I felt very anxious. Dee arrived and off we went. I was more relaxed and was chatting to Dee about how it was in 1981. Talking and a couple of really bad jokes from Dee lightened my mood. By the time I got to Glasgow airport, I was fine.
The flight from Glasgow to Belfast took 40 minutes. In 1981… 40 minutes from being at home with your family to the hate-filled streets of Belfast, 40 minutes, that’s how it was. I was met at Belfast airport by Lee, we made the bus journey into town. I started to see the flags, mostly Loyalist and then a few Republican. It all started coming back to me.
It was straight to Lee’s flat then off to a talk by Jo Berry and Pat Magee. Jo’s father was killed by the Brighton bomb. Pat had planted the bomb. This was powerful. Two people from opposite tribes had chosen to come together, Jo wanted to understand why? What were the circumstances that drove Pat, a member of the IRA to take out the entire British government? Maggie Thatcher’s government. I was sitting listening to a man saying to a woman, ‘I killed your father’ and for her to respond in a calm and loving manner was quite something. Lee and I were asked to go (backstage) for some food and refreshments. Jo asked me if I would speak to a guy called, let’s call him Mr A, whose father was shot and killed by a British soldier 40 years ago and he had never spoken to a soldier or former soldier since. We were introduced. Now I had never experienced this situation before, we locked eyes as we spoke and there was tension. Fortunately Lee has had this experience many times and quickly diffused the situation. Lee spoke with Mr A for maybe an hour. I spoke to several people including Pat. Now I have never spoken to a member of the IRA or former member of the IRA without seeing them as the enemy. There was a time the very mention of the IRA would have sent me into a rage. To me, they were scum, murderers, even the Irish flag would evoke such rage. This was different. I was talking to a human being. A human face had been put on the enemy, like Pat, Jo’s father became a person, not the enemy.
That was my first night in Belfast.
Day 2 – Friday 8th August
We went along to a museum; there was a talk about the role of Irish regiments in the first and second world wars. I was reminded of a play I’d seen earlier this year, Raising Lazarus, by poet Kat Francois and the role West Indian soldiers had played in both wars. Seems both Irish and West Indian regiments were treated as badly and not getting any recognition. I met a woman called Bernadette whose father was killed in a sectarian shooting early on in the troubles. She was a wonderfully compassionate woman. It’s quite humbling that people I’ve met who have suffered personal loss have rejected bitterness as a coping mechanism. Later that day, I was interviewed at length for an oral history project by Claire Hackett of the Falls Road Community Council. This interview will be placed in an archive that will record the history of the Northern Ireland conflict in West Belfast. I find it very refreshing that the Nationalist community wish to include the experiences of former British soldiers. At one point re-living and talking about my experience I got quite emotional.
Day 3 – Saturday 10th August
Another excellent and interesting day. We met a former republican prisoner, Danny, who now works as a youth development officer. We met at the foot of Divis flats on the Falls Road. Once a very dangerous place for British soldiers. Danny gave me a brief history of the Republican movement going back to the late 1800’s. His energy and knowledge was compelling, he spoke very matter of fact and with no trace of bitterness or anger. We toured various Republican areas. Danny was a first class guide and there was so much to take in. We reached the Ardoyne area where there is still on-going tension between the two communities regarding Loyalists marching past Twadell Avenue. Lee and I crossed over the road to the Loyalist side (apparently not the done thing!). We were quickly approached by an angry man who demanded to know who we were. Once we explained who and why we were there he relaxed a bit and gave us a run-down on the situation. We thanked him and made our way back across the road. Considering the history of the place, maybe crossing the boundary was not the best thing to do; I mean people have been shot for that.
Final day – Sunday 11th August
Went to Derry/Londonderry. After an artery hardening breakfast, courtesy of Lee, and with Kieran at the wheel, off we went. Derry/Londonderry was not what I had imagined. It was a lovely town, somewhat quiet compared to Belfast, but it was Sunday afternoon. We visited the Free Derry museum, where I met Jean whose brother had been shot and killed on Bloody Sunday. She was a lovely woman; she spoke of the pain for all concerned, even expressing compassion for one of the soldiers at the tribunal. We then met Fiona Gallagher. Her brother was shot and killed while taking a bus ride home from town. She too was full of compassion for all victims of the troubles. I have met so many people that have experienced the pain of loss, the same people that wish for peace.
Summary
What did I get from my trip? Well, a greater understanding of why it all kicked off in 1969. Why were the folk in Catholic areas denied basic rights, decent homes, proper jobs? Why were they treated like second-class citizens? So many ‘Why’s? Now in 2014, it’s so much better, but there is still a long, long way to go. I’m not naïve enough to think all Republicans would greet me with open arms, far from it, there are still a few who would see me as a ‘uniform’, the ‘enemy.’ Of that, I have no doubt. But what I saw was people and groups within the Republican areas that are driving the peace process, that are pushing for a lasting peace. The trip was exhausting and very rewarding. I felt humbled and blessed to meet so many amazing people.
I’d like to thank, Jo Berry; Pat Magee; Claire Hackett; Fiona Gallagher; Danny, Jean, Kieran and most of all Lee for making this whole experience possible.
Much love and respect to all, I’ll leave you with this poem.
No Man’s Land
In no man’s land we’ll be as one
No need to fight or kill
In no man’s land there are no kings
Or rich man’s gut to fill
So when the guns at last go silent
And the drums no longer beat
When we awaken to our madness
In no man’s land we’ll meet
Spike served in the Scots Guards, he is a street poet and a member of Veterans For Peace.
Veterans For Peace UK 
From the relatively little that I know,
The Troubles' would never have happened if all those living in Ireland had had equal treatment and equal opportunities for jobs and housing. The inequality was a legacy of the days when the ruling elite imposed their ways and customs on the people they controlled. A minority ruled the majority and because they were in charge they naturally felt that whatever they thought and did was right. The Highland clearances in Scotland are an example of where a ruling elite imposed their will on the hapless poor, forcing people from their homes and livelihoods. These days those areas are grouse moors, where rich people pay thousands of £s to exterminate wildlife. The same applied in England too and, more subtly, still applies today. Our rulers have an arrogance that we did not confer on them when we voted them in but because they are in power they assume that theyhave the mandate’ to do whatever they decide. British armed forces are used as instruments of our government’s foreign and domestic policies. When I was a junior soldier in the early 1980s it was drummed into us that in Northern Ireland the military were there in aid of the civil power (MACP) and that we were there to provide a breathing space for political dialogue. In the 1990s / early 2000s I was appalled at the `peace at any price’ stance of the politicians but I have since come to realise that the fact that peace was the result in Northern Ireland and that sectarian violence has reduced, can only be a good thing.Kenny the kettle will be boiled and the tea will be had..im looking forward to meeting you xx
Spike, bro I was sitting only a few feet away from you at the VFP conference and as Lee was talking about the possibility of going over to Northern Ireland on a solidarity trip soon, I remember you saying you would
“like to put some ghosts to rest” well done brother, it
s a very strange feeling to go back after so many years.s ItI went back to Belfast on business in 2007, some 12 years earlier I was doing covert operations in the province for over three years, it was weird !
The biggest thing I noticed was how much Belfast has changed since the early 90
s like looking at a different city.s were bad I was in South Armagh in 88 and It was wild to say the least. For you to go back after so many years must have brought back so many memories.Spike, 1981 wow, it must have been such a roller coaster of emotions for you, the 80
For me, the future solidarity tour will be a time to like you said ” put some ghosts to rest” I have alot of experiences i`d like to share and let people know what it was like and what I did in my tours throughout Northern Ireland. It would make a damn good documentary film.
See you soon brother,
Fiona ….. get the kettle on pet, I`ll be their in October.
Peace and Love
Kenny Veterans For Peace
Spike the bravest step is the first one. You took that step back to a place where you were in a more than hostile situation. The year of 1981 and the hunger strikes were to have such a lasting memory for so many reasons. The tension was palpable..i will never forget that. I was only too happy to meet you. I really enjoyed the chance to see you and hear your story too. I want not just to hear both sides..i want to hear ALL sides. We have all suffered and lost out greatly. I really hope that we can all be the working mechanism that brings us forward into a better more peaceful future. It may not be everyone’s wish but someday those blinded by bitterness hate hurt and spite will open their eyes..Why do i think this?? Well i was one of those who just couldn’t see.. Glad to have had the pleasure Spike and we will meet again soon. Xx
Welcome to Veterans For Peace. Your poem was telling. As the Quakers here in the U.S. say, “War Is Not The Answer” That’s so true. It never resolves issues of injustice and whoever is defeated will bear the burden of more injustice. — Philip Reiss, member of Thomas Paine Veterans For Peace Chp 152 in Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania
P.S. Your departed UK VFP brother Harry Patch was right: “War is organized murder.”
Brave and wonderful of you to make the journey. I spent some time in the flats at Norglen Parade opposite the Springfield Road barracks in 1981. It was a rough year in Belfast. Blessings on you for taking this step on the journey to peace and healing.