Ballymurphy scuffle 1996/97
We had been in the province a few months now, and the long awaited new IRA ceasefire still hadn't arrived, and the whole situation in N Ireland remained tense, and unstable. There had been recent attacks on security forces joint British and RUC patrols.
I was part of the Royal Anglian contingent in west belfast, i was 2nd battalion attached to the 1st battalion 3 platoon A Coy. I was in Cpl Hedges brick(4 man team), we was on night shift. Usually a 14 hour shift through then night!
This particular night, we was at New Barnlsey RUC station. And was due out on a routine patrol of the estate. I remember going through an alleyway (Belfast was full of them), i was third man Pte Squibb was scout lead man, Cpl Hedge brick commander second man, me(pte Thomas 3rd man) and Pte Killingsworth 4th man at the rear!
Anyway, we passed a couple of very drunk known players(active service unit members of the IRA). We went static after passing through the alley. The drunk men approached me, and swore"Brit Bastards"! I said "Get lost". Both the men came too me and tried to wrestle my weapon away! I managed to hold firm, when Cpl Hedge came across and assisted. There was a long wrestle with them and us and we was scared that the whole neighbourhood would come out and all hell would break lose!
All callsigns in the brick held them players with some difficulty, the IRA players spat and chucked insults at an alarming rate. We was in the heart of the Ballymurphy on the verge of a possible riot situation. To our luck and suprise a RUC mobile patrol came passed, saw the commotion and promptly manhandled the players into the wagons!
It was a stroke of luck, as the British Government at the time was trying to push a peace process which still supposedly holds today? A few months later after we left in may 97, the peace process was called and a ceasefire declared by all sides. It was a memorable tour, without incidents. I shall never forget it!
Andrew Thomas
2nd Bn Royal Anglian Regiment (1993-1999)
attached to 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regiment (1996-1997 Nov-May)
|
|