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Concert to remember IRA bomb dead Concert to remember IRA bomb dead
(about 1 hour later)
Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend a concert later to remember the victims of an IRA bombing in Kent, nearly 20 years after the outrage. A concert is being held to remember the victims of an IRA bomb which exploded in Kent nearly 20 years ago.
Eleven Royal Marine musicians were killed in the explosion at Deal barracks on 22 September 1989. More than 20 others were injured.Eleven Royal Marine musicians were killed in the explosion at Deal barracks on 22 September 1989. More than 20 others were injured.
Two Royal Marine bands from Portsmouth are scheduled to perform at the event. Other memorial events planned in the town on Sunday included a march-past at the site and a minute's silence.
There will also be a march-past at the site of the bombing, where a minute's silence will be observed. No-one has ever been convicted over the deaths, caused by a 15lb (7kg) device planted in a recreational centre.
The 15lb (7kg) device flattened a three-storey accommodation block and caused widespread damage to nearby civilian homes. Retired Lt Col Richard Dixon, the commanding officer at Deal barracks at the time of the bombing, recalled the events of that day.
No-one has ever been convicted over the deaths. The explosion had caused the concrete roof to plummet down on to the lads Retired Lt Col Richard Dixon
He said he had taken his dogs for a walk and was three minutes' away from returning to his office when the bomb went off.
He said: "I knew precisely what it was as I had served time in Northern Ireland, so was used to these things.
"I dropped the dogs and went directly to my office because I knew someone would be needed to be at the end of a telephone.
"The lads and everybody helped out the injured, as the force of the explosion had caused the concrete roof to plummet down on to the lads."
'Soft targets''Soft targets'
Lt Col Woody Page, of the Royal Marines at Naval Command Headquarters in Portsmouth, said: "This was an abysmal crime and it's only right and proper that 20 years on the deaths of the Royal Marines are commemorated.Lt Col Woody Page, of the Royal Marines at Naval Command Headquarters in Portsmouth, said: "This was an abysmal crime and it's only right and proper that 20 years on the deaths of the Royal Marines are commemorated.
"It demonstrates to the community of Deal our thanks for their enduring support and moreover to the families of those fallen Royal Marines that they will never be forgotten.""It demonstrates to the community of Deal our thanks for their enduring support and moreover to the families of those fallen Royal Marines that they will never be forgotten."
Labour MP for Dover and Deal Gwyn Prosser said: "It was the fact they were held in such high regard that shocked people to the quick.Labour MP for Dover and Deal Gwyn Prosser said: "It was the fact they were held in such high regard that shocked people to the quick.
"They were such soft targets. They were not armed personnel, they had no real security, they were just musicians.""They were such soft targets. They were not armed personnel, they had no real security, they were just musicians."
The Royal Marines School of Music relocated from Deal to Portsmouth in April 1996. A memorial service is held in the garden every year
A housing development is now located on the site of the explosion, along with a memorial garden. The explosion flattened a three-storey accommodation block and caused widespread damage to nearby civilian homes.
Events in the town were starting at 1245 BST with performances by young people including the sea cadets. The concert starts at 1400 BST, and the parade gets under way at 1515 BST. A week after the bombing, members of the School of Music marched through Deal and maintained gaps in their ranks that representing the positions of those killed or injured.
The town's memorial bandstand - where thousands of people have turned out for Sunday's concert - was erected in 1993 on Walmer Green featuring the names of those who died on 11 sides of the 12-sided structure.
The Royal Marines School of Music relocated from Deal to Hampshire in April 1996 - a housing development is now located on the site of the explosion, along with a memorial garden.