September 12 – 14, 1981
Allan Clarke was a full-time member of 5UDR. On Saturday 12th September he was walking up Hall Street in Maghera after visiting the local bookie’s office, as was his habit.
A car passed him and then sped away, leaving Allan lying on the pavement. He had been shot three times and swiftly lost consciousness. He died shortly after as a result of his wounds.
His funeral was held two days later, and one of the pallbearers was his neighbour and friend John Proctor, a member of the RUC Reserve. Later that day John went to the Mid-Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt, to visit his wife who had recently given birth to a son.
As John left the Maternity ward, he was shot and killed in the car park, by the same team who had killed his friend barely two days earlier.
Allan Clarke was 20 and single.
John Proctor was 25, married with two children.
Rest in peace, always remembered.
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Note: The weapon used in both shootings was a Soviet SKS; the one used in both shootings was known to jam after three rounds, which put the responsibility on the South Derry ASU, originally led by Francis Hughes but by this time was being run by one of his ‘proteges’, Dominic McGlinchey.
Most of this unit’s members are believed to be dead.
Allan Clarke was a full-time member of 5UDR. On Saturday 12th September he was walking up Hall Street in Maghera after visiting the local bookie’s office, as was his habit.
A car passed him and then sped away, leaving Allan lying on the pavement. He had been shot three times and swiftly lost consciousness. He died shortly after as a result of his wounds.
His funeral was held two days later, and one of the pallbearers was his neighbour and friend John Proctor, a member of the RUC Reserve. Later that day John went to the Mid-Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt, to visit his wife who had recently given birth to a son.
As John left the Maternity ward, he was shot and killed in the car park, by the same team who had killed his friend barely two days earlier.
Allan Clarke was 20 and single.
John Proctor was 25, married with two children.
Rest in peace, always remembered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The weapon used in both shootings was a Soviet SKS; the one used in both shootings was known to jam after three rounds, which put the responsibility on the South Derry ASU, originally led by Francis Hughes but by this time was being run by one of his ‘proteges’, Dominic McGlinchey.
Most of this unit’s members are believed to be dead.
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