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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Concert to remember IRA bomb dead | Concert to remember IRA bomb dead |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A concert is being held to remember the victims of an IRA bomb which exploded in Kent nearly 20 years ago. | 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. |
| Other memorial events planned in the town on Sunday included a march-past at the site and a minute's silence. | Other memorial events planned in the town on Sunday included a march-past at the site and a minute's silence. |
| No-one has ever been convicted over the deaths, caused by a 15lb (7kg) device planted in a recreational centre. | No-one has ever been convicted over the deaths, caused by a 15lb (7kg) device planted in a recreational centre. |
| Retired Lt Col Richard Dixon, the commanding officer at Deal barracks at the time of the bombing, recalled the events of that day. | Retired Lt Col Richard Dixon, the commanding officer at Deal barracks at the time of the bombing, recalled the events of that day. |
| The explosion had caused the concrete roof to plummet down on to the lads Retired Lt Col Richard Dixon | 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 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. | 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. | "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." | "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. |
| A 15lb bomb exploded as the bandsmen were practising | |
| "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 explosion flattened a three-storey accommodation block and caused widespread damage to nearby civilian homes. | The explosion flattened a three-storey accommodation block and caused widespread damage to nearby civilian homes. |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |