December 21st 1978

[Guest Close BigStevie]

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Crossmaglen, S.Armagh

Gdsm Glen Ling 18, single, Saxmundham, Suffolk

Gdsm Graham Duggan, 22, single, Lymm, Cheshire

Gdsm Kevin Johnson, 20, single, Blackpool, Lancashire


The three soldiers were in the lead of an eight-man patrol in the village.
A red Royal Mail-type van drove past them and came to a sudden stop, then a machine gun mounted in the back of the vehicle opened fire, hitting all three and scattering Christmas shoppers who had to dive for cover. Soldiers returned fire but did not claim any hits.

The soldiers were casevaced to Musgrave Park Hospital but were declared dead on arrival.

Rest in peace, men.

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I didn't work down there but the memory of this murder stays with me vividly to this day, and always will.

[terryboydon Old Sweat Find all posts View Profile Close terryboydon]

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

[Guest Close Keihud]

Many years ago the was a book written called They died with the boots shining.It was about the guards in the Great War. I know Grenadier Guards those 3 guards men would have done the duty with pride their turn out would have been smart the boots polished.
Rest young men your post has been relieved.
You will not be forgotten.

[Guest Close Jimmy Mac]

We Will Remember Them

[Guest Close Guest]

Either I am getting very old, or my memory is fading, but try as I might I cant remember this terrible incident. :? :? :?

May their Gods have mercy on their souls, and may their families and friends be comforted by their memory.
RIP.

[Guest Close Septic]

Stand down men your tour of Duty is done RIP
We will remember them

[babybio18 Welfare Team Find all posts View Profile Close babybio18]

lest we forget

[John Old Sweat Find all posts View Profile Close John]

They WILL be remembered

[Guest Close theduke]

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM...

[Guest Close bobc]

We Will Remember Them

bobc............

[Guest Close Micky2436]

RIP.

remember the incident, the b***ards armoured the back so the rounds bounced off

[Guest Close Slopjockey]

Rest Easy Soldiers ... Your Duty Done

[spanner Association Member & WUSA Overseas rep aka Cathie Find all posts View Profile Close spanner]

RIP

They will live on as long as we remember them.

[Guest Close BigStevie]

Some incidents will always stick in your mind, though you may not have been there.
This one is always with me, at this festive time.

Rest easy, men.

[Guest Close Guest]

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Crossmaglen, S.Armagh

Gdsm Glen Ling 18, single, Saxmundham, Suffolk

Gdsm Graham Duggan, 22, single, Lymm, Cheshire

Gdsm Kevin Johnson, 20, single, Blackpool, Lancashire


The three soldiers were in the lead of an eight-man patrol in the village.
A red Royal Mail-type van drove past them and came to a sudden stop, then a machine gun mounted in the back of the vehicle opened fire, hitting all three and scattering Christmas shoppers who had to dive for cover. Soldiers returned fire but did not claim any hits.

The soldiers were casevaced to Musgrave Park Hospital but were declared dead on arrival.

Rest in peace, men.

-------------------------------------

I didn't work down there but the memory of this murder stays with me vividly to this day, and always will.

09/11/2019. Writing Big Dougs cross tonight. In 1978 I attended the funeral at Lymm Cheshire, I had been going out with Dougs Sister, now married I watched her grief across where Dougs final posting would be. I visit the grave when I can. Doug's Mum is still with us, I plan to see her early next year. Doug was born on the 14th of July, I was born on the 13th. Things in life are a matter of events, we never plan our life it happens for us. I saw Doug the day he left for the final tour, as per usual he was in a hurry. Being ex REME I loaned a book to him, hoping that he could pass away those nights learning more about the Motor Tech. It hit me hard when it happened and later when Louis Mountbatten was murdered two people had gone from my past in an instance.
I met another member of the patrol he was on and got some closure of the event. Not reported in any official reports, the van they used was full in the back and front with blood. At least they never got away clean. Tonight thoughts go back to the past. I am better. It took help from others, but, I am old and he will be forever young. RIP Lads & Lasses.