Bob Bacon
11-12-2006, 21:05
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2966 Cpl Gerard Bristow was shot during the afternoon of the 16th April 1972. He was on foot patrol close to the junction of Ferguson St/Bishop St, Derry. The gunman from the Official IRA was located in the grounds of St Columbs College at Lecky Rd. Cpl Bristow died in hospital later that day. He was the regiment’s first fatality during this latest round of the “Troubles”.
The fatal attack was one of several mounted that day against the security forces by the OIRA following the killing of their leader Joe McCann. In another incident that afternoon a soldier from the WFR was also killed, and another seriously wounded.
Cpl Bristow was a member of the Anti Tank Platoon, Support Company 1 RWF. He was 26 year's old and was married with a 12 month-old son. He came from Newport, South Wales. He was later buried at Honiton. The Battalion also held a memorial service on the Square at Ebrington Bks, Londonderry on the 21st April 1972.
LCpl G Taylor was later mentioned in despatches for his actions during the incident.
In October 1979, two local men were jailed for Cpl Bristow’s murder. The younger of the two men, was ordered to be detained at the Secretary of States pleasure, as he was 18 at the time of the killing. A third man admitted manslaughter and was jailed for 10 years; a fourth member was acquitted.
Sources:
RWF Regimental Records Vol 7 IBSN 0 9525408 9 4
Lost Lives IBSN 1 84018 227 X
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2966 Cpl Gerard Bristow was shot during the afternoon of the 16th April 1972. He was on foot patrol close to the junction of Ferguson St/Bishop St, Derry. The gunman from the Official IRA was located in the grounds of St Columbs College at Lecky Rd. Cpl Bristow died in hospital later that day. He was the regiment’s first fatality during this latest round of the “Troubles”.
The fatal attack was one of several mounted that day against the security forces by the OIRA following the killing of their leader Joe McCann. In another incident that afternoon a soldier from the WFR was also killed, and another seriously wounded.
Cpl Bristow was a member of the Anti Tank Platoon, Support Company 1 RWF. He was 26 year's old and was married with a 12 month-old son. He came from Newport, South Wales. He was later buried at Honiton. The Battalion also held a memorial service on the Square at Ebrington Bks, Londonderry on the 21st April 1972.
LCpl G Taylor was later mentioned in despatches for his actions during the incident.
In October 1979, two local men were jailed for Cpl Bristow’s murder. The younger of the two men, was ordered to be detained at the Secretary of States pleasure, as he was 18 at the time of the killing. A third man admitted manslaughter and was jailed for 10 years; a fourth member was acquitted.
Sources:
RWF Regimental Records Vol 7 IBSN 0 9525408 9 4
Lost Lives IBSN 1 84018 227 X
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