Lisburn Remembers Soldiers Killed in Lisburn Bomb Attack

June 21, 2019

On the 19th June Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council commemorated the lives of six soldiers who were murdered in 1988 after participating in the Lisburn Half Marathon.

Mayor Councillor Alan Givan and Mayoress Elizabeth Givan were joined in Market Place by Lieutenant Colonel C. M Wood, Commanding Officer of NI Garrison Support Unit;  fellow elected members, and members of the Lisburn Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Royal British Legion Riders Branch. Each organisation laid a wreath in memory of these lost soldiers.

On 15th June 1988, 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 were killed when a terrorist bomb in Market Square, Lisburn destroyed the vehicle they were travelling in.  These brave young men had participated in the popular charity Fun Run and were returning to Thiepval Barracks.

The Mayor, Councillor Alan Givan reflecting on this atrocity, said: “The attack 31 years ago is an event the city will never forget. It was a dark time for Lisburn’s close-knit community. We have a duty to mark this tragedy and pay our respects annually to those brave soldiers who lost their lives on a warm summer evening.  I am humbled to lay a wreath at the memorial plaque to commemorate these soldiers’ lives.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to give my deepest sincerities to the families of those who died; and to acknowledge others who were deeply affected by this attack in which six men died young and 11 others were injured.  Lisburn & Castlereagh will continue to remember the lives lost on 15th June 1988 and the impact this tragedy had on the thousands of people in Lisburn,” said Mayor Councillor Alan Givan.