Council lays wreath to remember bomb victims

June 17, 2015

Representatives of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Thiepval Barracks have laid wreaths and floral tributes at Market Square, Lisburn, in memory of six soldiers who lost their lives 27 years ago.  The Mayor’s Chaplain, Pastor J Ritchie, provided a short service to those assembled.

At the time, the six young men: Sergeant Michael J. Winkler, Lance Corporal William J Paterson, Lance Corporal Graham P. Lambie, Lance Corporal Derek W. Green, Signalman Mark R. Clavey and Corporal Ian Metcalfe had participated in the Lisburn Half Marathon.  The bomb in Market Square was detonated and many other participants and spectators were injured in the attack. 

The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett, laid a wreath on behalf of the Council at the commemorative plaque in Market Place, erected in memory of the men. Councillor Beckett particularly welcomed the parents of Lance Corporal William J Paterson.  He said: "This marks a very sad time when our local community was attacked and six brave souls lost their lives.  On behalf of the Council I am honoured and humbled to place the wreath at the scene where the soldiers lost their lives.

“The soldiers had competed in the Half Marathon event to raise money for charity.  The families of the men who lost their lives will always remember them of course and it is important to the Council that we mark this anniversary.  These soldiers will never be forgotten.”

Lieutenant Col. Cannon laid a wreath on behalf of Thiepval Barracks. Also in attendance were Councillors from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, local MLAs and representatives from the Royal British Legion.

The Commemorative plaque is situated in Market Place near the site of the terrorist attack and bears the names of the six soldiers and their regiments.