A ceremony took place on the morning of Wednesday August 27 to mark 46 years since the Narrow Water ambush.
The attack – carried out by the Provisional IRA – claimed the lives of 18 British soldiers and injured 20 more. It was the deadliest attack on the British army during The Troubles.
On the afternoon of August 27, 1979 two large roadside bombs were detonated by the Provisional IRA at Narrow Water castle just outside Warrenpoint. The first bomb targeted a Parachute Regiment convoy whilst the second targeted incoming reinforcements and the command point which had been set up to respond to the attack.
The soldiers killed on the day were: Victor MacLeod (24), David Blair (40), Nicholas J. Andrews (24), Gary I. Barnes (18), Raymond Dunn (20), Anthony G. Wood (19), Michael Woods (18), John C. Giles (22), Ian A. Rogers (31), Walter Beard (31), Thomas R. Vance (23), Robert N. England (23), Jeffrey A. Jones (18), Leonard Jones (26), Robert D.V. Jones (18), Chris G. Ireland (25), Peter Fursman (25) and Donald F. Blair (23).
William M. Hudson (29), a civilian, was also killed.
Nobody has ever been convicted for the attack.
The service was officiated by the Reverend Graham Middleton with music provided by the Frontier Pipes and Drums Veterans Band. A number of wreaths were laid in memory of the victims.
Credit: Diane Forsyth MLA
Speaking at the event TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe said: “Today’s act of remembrance was both solemn and moving. It was a privilege to stand alongside the families and comrades of those who were murdered. As we reflected on the horror of Narrow Water, we also renewed our resolve to ensure that the truth of what happened is never whitewashed or forgotten. The sacrifice of those murdered by the IRA must be remembered with dignity, and their memory honoured for generations to come”.
Ulster Unionist Party Representatives have also commemorated the victims of the Narrow Water Massacre, with Councillor Taylor adding: “A very dignified service of remembrance was held to mark the 46th Anniversary of the Narrow Water Massacre which resulted in 18 soldiers being murdered by the IRA.
“I want to offer thanks on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party to the organisations involved in arranging the service. It is vitally important that the local community are provided with the opportunity to remember the soldiers who lost their lives that day.
“Our thoughts remain with the family members and military personnel who were impacted by the significant loss which occurred at Narrow Water. The sacrifice offered by our security forces can never be forgotten. They stood at the forefront of protecting our citizens against the wicked terrorist campaign endured in Northern Ireland during the period of the Troubles.”
Newry & Armagh DUP Assemblyman William Irwin MLA, along with party colleagues DUP Leader Gavin Robinson, South Down MLA Diane Forsythe and Councillors Gareth Wilson Glyn Hanna and Alan Lewis, also attended the memorial service at Narrow Water Warrenpoint in memory of the 18 British soldiers murdered when the IRA exploded two bombs on 27th August 1979.
Mr Irwin commented: “This was another important and very solemn act of remembrance organised by FAIR on behalf of the families of those brave British soldiers murdered so cruelly by IRA terrorists intent on causing death and destruction.”
He added: “This atrocity was one of the darkest days of the troubles and the memory of the British soldiers who were murdered on that day live on. Our collective thoughts and sympathies continue to be with the grieving families of the soldiers who were murdered on that day and regardless of the passing of the years, the grief for those families remains.”
He added: “This service is an important opportunity to both remember the soldiers who were murdered and also support the families connected with this terrible atrocity. This event must not be airbrushed from history nor forgotten about by anyone who would seek to sanitise the actions of the IRA and I will continue to stand with the families of innocent victims of terrorism in their quest for justice.”
Two weeks ago it was announced that the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information (ICRIR), the body established to probe outstanding cases from The Troubles, would investigate the Narrow Water attack.
The ICRIR was established when the Legacy Act was passed in 2024 by the Conservative government. The Act was opposed by all victims’ groups in Northern Ireland and all of the main political parties. Many victims’ families have also stated that they will not cooperate with the ICRIR’s investigations.
