Fusilier Andrew Crocker 1 RWF - 24th November 1976

[img2=left]http://rwf-forum.co.uk//vBulletin/images/misc/poppy.jpg[/img2]Fusilier 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:

1. RWF Regimental Records Vol 7 - IBSN 0 9525408 9 4
2. Lost Lives - IBSN 1 84018 227 X
3. Y Ddraig Goch June 1977

I believe that Fusilier Andrew Crocker's name is on the Cenotaph, just off Mumbles Road in Swansea.

Grew up with Andy, I will never forget him. A great bloke, my lad is named after him.

Remember him well, great guy. No doubt he would have gone far.

Andy,

Friends first to last mate , I will never forget you as long as I live, sleep well, see ya on the other side.

12 years for taking a young mans life and 10 years for robbing the post office, where is the justice, that was not manslaughter that was murder.

Mickey (Meg).

i was in 1plt & was escort in back of 'pig' with andy's section..we dropped them off deep into the turf lodge & andy was last out i slapped him on back of his 'flak jacket' as he was last one out of the pig & said see you in few hours mate (i was prob the last person to touch him)..that was last i saw of him..we were good mates in Acoy in tidworth..i also got on very well with csm crocker his uncle..does anybody know how gerry is doing?

i think of andy quite alot...thanks micky

Andy crocker was in 2pl A coy,he was in 2 section,my section,Iam sorry that I was not there when he died,but I was in mind while way on a search course. I will never forget him,with all that was thrown at him he still came out laughing.I will see you again.God bless you Mate.

I was the patrol comd leading the patrol on that November day.There are times in your life you never forget this being one of them, Andrew was a member of 2 pl a well liked young man (Jack the lad) and a good soldier. As stated Andrew was buried with full military honours in his home town Swansea on the 30th November 1976. Myself and other members of the pl attended as bearers.Looking back the follow up was done in a very profesional manner against a very hostile crowd 3 men were lifted. Andrew as his name along side other heroes on the cenataph in his city of Swansea I was there with his parents for the unvailing and his visited on a regular bases. His uncle Gerry Crocker I see quite regular and he is well and still hitting the golf ball. 2 pl came to the fore front again during this tour when we had a contact we were now working as a multiple patrol, the lead section returned the fire and directed the other 2 sections to the firing point where they confronted and caught the gunmen. I was very proud to have served with this platoon and Alfa Company a well motivated bunch of heroes.
R I P Andrew gone but not forgotten.

Ritchie 39

i rember that sad day i was in woodburn camp 15