Fusilier Kerry McCarthy 1 RWF - 20th June 1972

[Bob Bacon]

[img2=left]http://rwf-forum.co.uk//vBulletin/images/misc/poppy.jpg[/img2]Fusilier McCarthy was killed by PIRA on the 21st June 1972, whilst on main gate duty at Strand Rd Police Stn Londonderry. He was killed by a single shot to the chest, fired from a rooftop sniper position, above a busy shopping area.

From Merthyr Tydfil, and a member of D Company 1 RWF, Fusilier McCarthy was married and his wife was living in married quarters in Northern Ireland at the time of his death.

In February 1974, his widow was awarded agreed damages of £1000. During the inquest Fusilier McCarthy’s mother told the coroner “Kerry had not minded the thought of going to Ulster, but when he arrived, he wrote to say he hated it.

She went on to say that she thought Kerry had some sort of foreboding of his death. She stated “As my daughter-in-law was clearing his quarters she found a poem he had written as if he expected to die”.


Sources:

1. RWF Regimental Records Vol 7 IBSN 0 9525408 9 4
2. Lost Lives IBSN 1 84018 227 X

[Thom15]

I hardly knew "Mac", but we were working together guarding the front and back gates at the Strand. I was with the Sigs Platoon at the time and he was D Coy.

We had finished a brief conversation at the front gate and, just as I turned to walk to the back gate, a shot rang out! The last thing he said to me, with a smile, was "see you later Tom". He seemed like a really nice guy.

[dutchman]

I personally didnt know him, but a guy I work with (ex rrw)was in training and talks about him a lot and he says he was top man.

[Braz]

Geoff Brazier here, ex RRW. Mac was in JSC Coy, Crickhowell with me and a few others, he was in the RRW but rebadged to RWF after I'd left Juniors. I remember getting back one weekend and a LCpl (Permanent Staff) stuck us in the Nick for attacking someone!!!

The funny thing was, Mac was in Merthyr and I was in my Grandparents in Wylie. He was a Great Lad though and we had many a laugh, shame he should have died so young.