My wife notes that besides being the Cross of St. George, symbolizing England and NI, it also symbolizes the medieval Crusaders. Maybe he was a crusader for some cause. Jim Kaye Payne wrote: > Hi, > > I am back to researching my husband's Irish relations. The following verse > written about a man who died young has just turned up regarding one of them. > I am wondering about the last line - a red cross be raised and am asking if > anyone would know why the mention of the red cross. The Northern Ireland > flag has a red cross on white and as the family came from Killargue County > Leitrim North Ireland to Australia I wonder if it refers to that flag. The > family seemed to say they came from North Ireland as opposed to Northern > Ireland. > > Kaye Payne > > He has passed from this world with its strife and its care, > From the lingering sickness which bore down his frame; > He has gone to the mansions, so bright and so fair, > Where rest, joy, and peace there never can wane. > Then grieve not for him for his soul is at rest' > In the sweet Saviour's arms in that land of the blest. > > His innocent youth, and his sweet smile has gone > And his playful jollity ne'er can return, > And the radiance glad from his countenance chase > Has now in its happiness found a new home. > Then in joy or in sorrow we'll think of his name, > And the tie of affection shall still be the same. > > As brother and comrade in black we shall mourn, > And the gay scarlet stripes shall be hid from the view, > The mark of the cross to his grave shall be borne, > And the white covered o'er by the apron of blue. > Then in green or in gold let his body be placed, > And over his headstone, a red cross be raised. > >

Thanks to you both. It is very hard without the history and I guess I will never know exactly all that. This young man's parents came out from Ireland on the 'John Renwick' in 1841 and headed for Maitland NSW finally settled in Kiama NSW where hundreds of Irish of all religions settled. I know they were Episcopalian (Cof E) but I just wondered about the flag. Although he was born in Australia he would have had plenty of Irish influences born in 1864 and died in 1886. Thanks from Kaye (Payne) (Still using ' takes forever - dial up internet '.) All incoming and outgoing emails are checked by "VET Anti-Virus Protection 2005" auto updated.