Bob Bacon
12-12-2006, 20:03
http://rwf-forum.co.uk//vBulletin/images/misc/poppy.jpgFusilier Andrew Crocker was shot dead by an INLA gunman whilst on a routine foot patrol in the Turf Lodge, Belfast on the morning of the 24th November 1976. He was killed as the patrol moved between Ardmonagh Gardens and Whiterock Rd; he was hit in the neck and died almost immediately. Fire was returned and a riot ensued as his comrades began a follow up operation in the area.
The OC of A Company, Maj TLM Porter, had observed the incident from a helicopter. He had seen Andrew fall, and observed the gunman running from the Firing Point. Eventually he was able to guide his troops to a house in Monagh Drive, where they arrested 3 men. A short time later the rifle used to kill Fusilier Crocker was also recovered.
Fus Crocker was 18 years old and a member of 1 Platoon Alpha Company 1RWF. He had only been with the Battalion for a short time, but had already established a wide circle of friends and was described as a dedicated soldier. His uncle WO2 G Crocker was also serving in the Battalion. Fusilier Crocker was buried on the 30th November 1976 at Morriston nr Swansea.
It later transpired that the 3 men arrested had been in the process of robbing a nearby post office. The gunman was acting as lookout and claimed he fired in order to act as a distraction to the patrol whilst they escaped. The bullet travelled through two sets of railings before striking the Fusilier. A newspaper reporter also commented on the restraint shown by the soldiers from A Company, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, whilst under intense provocation from Turf Lodge residents
In October 1977 two men were jailed for 12 yrs after pleading guilty to manslaughter, a third man was jailed for 10 years for conspiring to rob the post office.
Sources:
RWF Regimental Records Vol 7 - IBSN 0 9525408 9 4
Lost Lives - IBSN 1 84018 227 X
Y Ddraig Goch June 1977
The OC of A Company, Maj TLM Porter, had observed the incident from a helicopter. He had seen Andrew fall, and observed the gunman running from the Firing Point. Eventually he was able to guide his troops to a house in Monagh Drive, where they arrested 3 men. A short time later the rifle used to kill Fusilier Crocker was also recovered.
Fus Crocker was 18 years old and a member of 1 Platoon Alpha Company 1RWF. He had only been with the Battalion for a short time, but had already established a wide circle of friends and was described as a dedicated soldier. His uncle WO2 G Crocker was also serving in the Battalion. Fusilier Crocker was buried on the 30th November 1976 at Morriston nr Swansea.
It later transpired that the 3 men arrested had been in the process of robbing a nearby post office. The gunman was acting as lookout and claimed he fired in order to act as a distraction to the patrol whilst they escaped. The bullet travelled through two sets of railings before striking the Fusilier. A newspaper reporter also commented on the restraint shown by the soldiers from A Company, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, whilst under intense provocation from Turf Lodge residents
In October 1977 two men were jailed for 12 yrs after pleading guilty to manslaughter, a third man was jailed for 10 years for conspiring to rob the post office.
Sources:
RWF Regimental Records Vol 7 - IBSN 0 9525408 9 4
Lost Lives - IBSN 1 84018 227 X
Y Ddraig Goch June 1977