THAT TERRIBLE MISTY MORNING - Geoff Smith ex 3LI

If my memory serves me well, I am getting on nowadays, I seem to remember that during the night that these young Jocks were murdered. 5 Platoon were crashed out to investigate a possible "come on" shooting that had been reported in the Ligoneil area on the outskirts of Belfast. (I myself had asked to be returned to duty as a Rifleman for the Belfast Tour of 71 (I had been coerced into becoming a Coy Clerk by some devious ORC a few months before)) and I was attached to Cpl Jack Garlands Section for the tour. We took over from 5 Platoon in the morning. It was a damp. misty morning and I believe 5 Platoon returned to Flax Street Mill for brekkies.

The area where the three young jocks had been murdered was rural. Their bodies were in a narrow country lane that had a 3 foot high earth bank on either side. I seem to remember that it ran down to a main road from the village of Ligoneil and on either side of the road there were fields.

Initially we set about searching the whole of the Village, every house, every nook and cranny, I seem to remember that it was a "dirty" little place. Not a place one would want to die in or for. The scene of the murder was surreal, The lane dipped slightly about halfway down. On the earth bank on the left hand side as you walked down the lane, roughly in the middle of this small dip, there was neatly placed three pint beer glasses, partially full or empty, I never decided which. On the road itself a pool of blood, thick, congealed blood had formed and in this blood was money............the new coins which came out in 1971. The bodies had by this time been removed from the scene. On talking to various members of the Civvy Police it was reckoned that there had been just two murderers. I was going to say at this point Gunmen........but these people where not gunmen or terrorists or freedom fighters they were just cold blooded, evil minded, "bloody" murderer's. Anyway, the police stated that they thought that two murderers had been involved because the two outside bodies had been shot in the back of the head and the middle body had been shot in the chest. The two in the head had been murdered first and the second had turned around before he had been shot and had been shot in the chest.

After awhile a TV Crew turned up and, as I was young a friend and I started messing around for the camera, dancing and laughing...as you do. a very good friend of mine, Brian Chance said"Knock it of these blokes have been killed here". This made me feel a bit silly for a moment but Jack Garland said "No don't stop, let the bastards see it has not effected us" so I carried on for a bit longer.............childish or shock......it was one of those times in your life when you look back and think "that was a stupid thing to do" and worry about it forever.

About mid morning we set about searching the fields on either side of the road, on our hands and knees, looking for the rounds or something. Can't remember now. In fact I never worked out what we were looking for on the day. Probably an exercise in "keeping the mind active" or "they are standing around find something for them to do". After all this I can't remember what happened. Perhaps we returned to Flax Street or somewhere else. But I have never forgotten that day or the scene or the three young blokes.

It was after this that all under 18's were not allowed on the streets. I distinctly remember being relieved that my 18th Birthday had been but 3 weeks before...............I had missed permanent cookhouse fatigues for the rest of the tour by 3 weeks........................Below are a few photos of that day contributed by Jim Parker - 3LI.

LIGONIEL

ALL THOSE THAT RULE THIS PROVENCE, HOW GUILTY THEY MUST FEEL
FOR THE DEATHS OF THREE YOUNG SOLDIERS, IN A DITCH AT LIGONIEL

THESE SOLDIERS CAME FROM SCOTLAND, TWO ONLY IN THEIR TEENS
IN COLD BLOOD THEY WERE MURDERED, WHILST THOSE IN POWER DREAM

WHEN OUR OWN ULSTER SOLDIERS, SOME SERVING FAR AWAY
RECEIVE THEIR SPRIG OF SHAMROCK, I WONDER WHAT THEY'D SAY

OWN GOOD NAME IS TARNISHED, THIS SCAR WILL NEVER HEAL
PERHAPS THEY'LL PLANT A THISTLE, IN THAT DITCH AT LIGONIEL

IT MATTERS NOT HOW LONG THEY LIVE, THEY NEVER CAN CONCEAL
THEY STOOD ASIDE WHILE SOLDIERS DIED, IN THAT DITCH AT LIGONIEL

OUR THOUGHTS GO TO THEIR PARENTS, WHEN ON THEIR KNEES THEY KNEEL
AND TRY TO PAINT A PICTURE, OF THAT PLACE CALLED

"LIGONIEL"

(written by a student of Belfast)

Fusilier Dougald Purdon McCaughey Aged 23	Fusilier John Boreland, McCaig Aged 17	Fusilier Joseph McCaig Aged 18