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40 years ago today.
Sergeant Michael Willetts 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. killed on 25/05/1971 aged 27
Awarded the George Cross and honoured in Harvey Andrews song "The Soldier".
A terrorist entered the reception hall of the Springfield Road Police Station in Belfast.
He carried a suitcase from which a smoking fuse protruded, dumped it quickly on the floor and fled outside.
Inside the room were a man and a woman, two children and several police officers.
Sgt Willetts held the door open while all passed safely through and then stood in the doorway, shielding those taking cover. In the next moment, the bomb exploded with terrible force.
Sergeant Willetts was mortally wounded.
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Remembered with Honour
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#5bigal commentedEditing a commentHear hear.Originally posted by Jock2413
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#6Guest commentedEditing a commentDespite the fact that he had given his life to save civvies, it didn't stop the scumbags of Springfield Road, Crocus Street et al spitting at his lifeless body when it was removed from the station. -
#7Guest commentedEditing a commentLest We Forget!
Posting comments is disabled. -
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by TreborThis years’ service will be held at 11.30am on Saturday 14th September 2024 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.
The service will commemorate and remember all those who lost their lives in service of the Crown as a result of the conflict in N. Ireland.
The chapel service will be followed by a parade down to the Ulster Ash Grove for the laying of wreathes.
Following the laying of the wreathes, there will be a 15-minute pause before...12-03-2024, 04:17 PM -
by TreborNorthern Ireland Veterans' Association
Service of Remembrance
National Memorial Arboretum
Saturday 9th September 2023
This years’ service will be held at 11.30am on Saturday 9th September 2023 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.
The service will commemorate and remember all those who lost their lives in service of the Crown as a result of the conflict in N. Ireland.
The chapel...05-06-2023, 05:25 PM -
by Jock2413This year's service will be held at the NMA on Saturday 10th September. At present, we won't be aware of restrictions, if any, that the NMA will impose on attendees (pre booking cars, names etc) but as this information is made available to us, we will publish it.08-02-2022, 10:14 PM
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by GrimsterNIVA Service Of Remembrance
The 2021 service will be held at 11.30am on Saturday 11th September 2021 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.The service will commemorate and remember all those who lost their lives in service of the Crown as a result of the conflict in N. Ireland.The chapel service will be followed by a parade down to the Ulster Ash Grove for the laying of wreathes. ...04-04-2021, 08:45 PM -
by Grimster
Ten members and wives assembled today at the Ulster Ash Grove to represent all our members for the Act of Remembrance. ...19-09-2020, 08:26 PM -
by Grimster...
It is our sad duty to inform you that Ken passed away on Thursday 19th March 2020 after a brief struggle with cancer.
A full obituary will be published in the forthcoming Newsletter.
The NIVA Annual Service of Remembrance was booked with the NMA to take place on Saturday 12th September 2020. Since that booking was made, we have been advised that the NMA is closed for the foreseeable future. Alternative arrangements may have to be made. Keep logging in to follow and25-03-2020, 03:28 PM