Service of Remembrance for 18 soldiers killed at Narrow Water

VICTIMS’ group Families Acting for Innocent Relatives has held its annual Service of Remembrance at Narrow Water to remember the 18 soldiers and Lord Mountbatten who were murdered by the IRA on August 27, 1979.

The Markethill-based group has organised the memorial event at the site of one of Northern Ireland’s worst atrocities of the Troubles for many years.

The IRA attack at Narrow Water near Warrenpoint resulted in the highest death toll suffered by the Army on a single day in Northern Ireland.

Two roadside bombs went off, the first of which killed six soldiers, after a bomb in a lorry was detonated by remote control as they drove past in a four tonne military vehicle.

Five soldiers were also injured – two of them seriously – as they made their way from Ballykinler barracks to Newry.

Around 20 minutes later a second explosion claimed the lives of a further 12 soldiers.

Some of them were only in the area because they had been sent in as reinforcements following the first bomb.

The second bomb had been hidden in a gate lodge opposite Narrow Water Castle and completely destroyed the solid granite structure.

A few hours earlier, Lord Louis Mountbatten, a second cousin of the late Queen’s, and three others were killed after an IRA bomb exploded on his fishing boat in County Sligo.

Speaking after the memorial service marking the 44th anniversary, FAIR Project Manager, Molly Carson, MBE said: “Having met with some ex-PARAs and Queen’s Own Highlanders over the years, it’s always good to know that the service is appreciated.

“It is done to respect our British colleagues who sacrificed their lives whilst on a peace keeping mission.

“The cowardly IRA never apologised to the families or anyone for their evil acts of violence on that day. Even using the South of Ireland as a safe place to target their victims at Narrow Water.

“It was a callous vicious attack. We must always remember the families who lost young sons, husbands, and brothers on that fatal day.

“We also remember the murders of Lord Mountbatten and friends on that day when the IRA plotted and skulked in the darkness to lay bombs that would kill innocent victims.

“The service was well attended and it was great to welcome the Frontier Pipes and Drums Veterans Pipe Band who provided the music.

“It was a very dignified service and wreaths were laid by Queen’s Own Highlanders, Armed Forces Bikers, Police Service of Northern Ireland, FAIR Victims organisation, RBL Newry, DUP, TUV and UUP.

“I would like to thank Revd Graham Middleton who officiated at the service despite his busy schedule on a Sunday.

“Thank you to Frontier Pipes and Drums, The Armed Forces Bikers who attended in strength, Bugler John Henry, Piper Bert Harkness, Ben Higgins in his reading for the QOH and John Robinson (Lt Col retd) for his reading The Roll of Honour and Act of Remembrance.

“I wish to also thank Ricky McGaffin for all his help and support, the ladies who provided refreshments afterwards at FAIR premises. Lest we Forget.”