State Opening of the Ulster Parliament.

'King and Queen's visit to open the Ulster Parliament on 22 June 1921.

I was informed by the King at Arms that I was to attend to receive my C.B.E. from the King in Blue Tunic and full review order dress. I made an inquiry and found out that if I got into this gorgeous uniform I would be the only person of those to get honours out of Khaki so I settled to disobey "Ulster" as the King at Arms signs himself. 

I had about 200 B police on duty that day. I also issued 7 or 8 revolvers to some men upon whom I could absolutely rely and gave them a visiting card each with the following written on them "Ordered out for duty on 22 June 1921". My printed name of course was on the card. I told them that if they were caught with the arms, and got into trouble, to say I ordered them out, and show the cards. 

I went to the assistant to the Divisional Commissioner (Chief Police Officer in Ulster) [and told him] what I had done and that if there was to be any jail going I would be pleased to take the place, there, of any of my men if caught. He laughed and said he did not think I would have to go there as he knew the good work I and my men were doing. 

On the morning of 22 June 1921 Mrs Crawford, my little daughter Bethia and myself drove down. I left them at the back door of the Ulster Hall where the Honours were to be conferred and the different deputations were to present their Addresses. I then went on to the City Hall where Sir James Craig was entertaining Their Majesties to lunch and to which I was invited. 

The Lunch was a good one; the champagne wine was 1911 brand and must have cost about £2 per bottle. I of course did not benefit by this luxury as I don't take any stimulants except when ill and ordered by the doctor.

The King, Queen and suite passed our table and we got a good look at both. All who were to receive Honours or be on a deputation were requested to immediately start for the Ulster Hall. 

I was to receive the C.B.E. and also was on a deputation of three to hand an Address to the King. Lt. Col. Sir William Allan and Major Sir Emerson Herdman were the other two. Lt. Col. Sir Wm Allan as representing the Orangemen in Ulster was to hand the address to the King, Sir Emerson Herdman as representing the Counties and I as representing the City of Belfast Unionists. I felt this as nearly as great an honour as getting the C.B.E.

The deputations sat on the King's right and those to have Honours conferred on his left in the body of the Hall, there were steps up the centre of the Hall where the King ascended with the Queen and suite. The deputations and recipients of honours went up the stairs on King's right and passed in front of him and the Queen and down by steps on the left. The deputations went up first those who were also recipients of honours then took their seats amongst those who were not of a deputation and passed up in order as called in accordance with the seniority of honour conferred. The higher Honours were first disposed of and the lower ones according to the precedence down to the last. 

When called I went up and being uncovered bowed to the King, my left glove being on my right glove in left hand and received the gold cross (Ma[l]tese) from the King in my right hand changed it into my left then shook hands with him bowed and took two or three steps to where the Queen was standing turned to her bowed shook hands with her bowed again turned to my right and walked down to my place. 

My [ ] had no idea I was to receive an honour till she heard my name called and saw me go forward to receive it. All correspondence was marked private and confidential so I kept it secret. 

It seems strange that in 1921 even when receiving an honour from the King in Belfast I should think it necessary to go armed, but so it was, I had an automatic pistol (Colt .380). 

When going up to receive my honour the Duchess of Abercorn said I am delighted Col Crawford that at last you are getting an Honour conferred upon you, but it is not half good enough. 

Lady Craig (Premier's wife) said to me after the ceremony I was more pleased at your getting the Honour than anyone else, there is no one I would like to see honoured more than you. Lady Carson said I am delighted to see at last you have been honoured more than you. Lady Carson said I am delighted to see at last you have been honoured. I called out as loud as I could when you were coming up so that the King might hear it and I hope he did, Here is the gun runner. 

It was a very brilliant scene and Ulster will long remember the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of the first Northern Parliament (Ulster). I picked up my wife and little daughter and we motored down to the deep water finishing basin at the docks where the Royal Yacht was waiting for Their Majesties and waited there till the L'pool steamer brought them from Queen's Quay. Mr. Gaffikin ran us down in his car. Just as we were starting I saw young Scott Chief Assistant out of Sir Ernest Clarke's office (Sir Hamar Greenwood (Chief Secretary's) Office Belfast branch) and took him down with us. We were as close to their Majesties as etiquette would permit.

The official reason I received the C.B.E. was for the work I had done in the past for the Unionist cause and the Six Counties war work and part taken in raising B Special constables. But all my friends knew it was for what Lady Carson called out in the Hall - the gun running. When His Majesty finds out the real reason he will likely have a fit of nerves. 

A Rector met me in the club last week and said, "I was very amused the other day. A gentleman who does not know you said to me that when going over the names of those who received honours he came to yours and said, 'Yes that is all right, that is the man who gave Ulster her parliament.' Now this man did now know you personally. Needless to say I was as much amused as the rector over the incident. I expect the man referred to was thinking of the S.S. Mountjoy 2 and also a little leaflet I issued entitled "Why I voted for the Six Counties". 

This little leaflet was sent by me to each member of the Ulster Unionist Council that met last year to decide whether Ulster would accept Lloyd George's offer to give the Six Counties autonomy and it was admitted by many to be the cause in their cases of voting for the Six Countries and not for the whole of Ulster to come in, owing to the fact that the Roman Catholics were so nearly equal to the Protestants that the Govmt. could not have been carried on as Unionist. 

Lady Ranfurly told me the leaflet had given her instant relief from a very perturbed mind. She was very perplexed what to do before she read it but felt quite satisfied after she had perused my reasons that it was the only solution to the Ulster question. Her brother and his wife, Lord and Lady Charlemont also told me the same thing. I had congratulations from Lord Londonderry and his Lady, Lord Castlereagh his son, the Lord Primate Dr. D'Arcy, Very Rev. Dr. Grierson, Bishop of Down, and a host of others some of whom I do not know personally, besides the numerous societies and committees to which I belong.'