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18 December 1975
Gunner Cyril Macdonald and Craftsman Colin McInnes of 18 Battery, 42 Heavy Regiment, Royal Regiment of Artillery.
On 18 December 1975, "Daddy" and Colin were on duty manning the sanger of Papa 8 checkpoint, located in Guildhall Square, Londonderry when a bomb, which had been lowered onto the roof from East Bank, exploded killing them both. East Bank, part of the walkway of the Londonderry wall, had just been recently reopened to the public. This was a particularly callous attack as at the time of the explosion, Guildhall Square was packed full of xmas shoppers and it was a miracle there were no other fatalities.
Cyril, always known as Daddy, was 43 years old and was the oldest Gunner rank in the regiment if not the Artillery. Liked and respected by all ranks, he was due for discharge when the tour ended having completed his 22 years. He could easily have remained with the rear party, but insisted on going.
Colin was a member of the R.E.M.E. attached to the regiment, and like many of his fellow attached personel, volunteered to serve on the ground rather than do the tour as a member of the workshops.
R.I.P. lads
Always Remembered.....Never Forgotten.
Gunner Cyril Macdonald and Craftsman Colin McInnes of 18 Battery, 42 Heavy Regiment, Royal Regiment of Artillery.
On 18 December 1975, "Daddy" and Colin were on duty manning the sanger of Papa 8 checkpoint, located in Guildhall Square, Londonderry when a bomb, which had been lowered onto the roof from East Bank, exploded killing them both. East Bank, part of the walkway of the Londonderry wall, had just been recently reopened to the public. This was a particularly callous attack as at the time of the explosion, Guildhall Square was packed full of xmas shoppers and it was a miracle there were no other fatalities.
Cyril, always known as Daddy, was 43 years old and was the oldest Gunner rank in the regiment if not the Artillery. Liked and respected by all ranks, he was due for discharge when the tour ended having completed his 22 years. He could easily have remained with the rear party, but insisted on going.
Colin was a member of the R.E.M.E. attached to the regiment, and like many of his fellow attached personel, volunteered to serve on the ground rather than do the tour as a member of the workshops.
R.I.P. lads
Always Remembered.....Never Forgotten.
Rest in peace lad's.
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