10 September 1972: Duncan McPhee, 21-years-old, a soldier with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders holding the rank of Private. Douglas Richmond, 21-years-old, a soldier with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders holding the rank of Private. 11 September 1972: William A. McIntyre, 23-years-old, married with 1 child and a soldier with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders holding the rank of Lance-Corporal. Privates McPhee and Richmond were killed by an IRA mine when it exploded under their Saracen armoured car near Dungannon. LCpl William McIntyre was another soldier who was fatally injured and died the following day. Five other soldiers were also injured in the attack, 3 of them seriously. The inquest was told that none of the soldiers died as a result of the explosion or burns but died from being violently thrown around inside the vehicle. The bomb consisted of 400 - 500lbs of explosives and was said to be the largest bomb of its type to be used in Northern Ireland. The explosion caused a 30 wide by 25 deep crater. A civilian motorist drove his Mini car into the crater. The inquest was told by a soldier who said: I got to the crater and found a Mini car in the bottom of it. A car stopped, turned round and drove away. The driver must have been able to see me in the headlights. This happened 4 more times. No car would stop.” Pte McPhee was from Paisley Scotland. Pte Richmond was from Clydebank, Scotland and due to go home on leave. Both his parents were deaf and were told by sign language of their sons death. LCpl McIntyre was from Aberdeen. He had just returned to duty following leave at home. He spent his time with his wife and 16-month old son. LEST WE FORGET!
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 11:59:44 +0000