GARY IVAN BARNES
Born: 12th June 1961, Ipswich.
Died: 27th August 1979; age: 18; Killed at Warrenpoint, County Down, Northern Ireland – “Operation Banner.”
Residence: Abbeycorn Barracks.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 24460214.
Regiment: The Parachute Regiment, 2nd Battalion (2 Para).
Grave Reference:
PA.21205.
Ipswich.
Louis Mountbatten was killed on the 27th August 1979 along with family members while on a pleasure craft near Mullaghmore harbour, a seaside village in County Sligo, Ireland.
On the same day, a convoy of 2 Para 3 Platoon, A-Company were passing through the Village of Warren Point when a 700lb bomb was remotely detonated by the roadside, killing 8 of the 9 men. As the injured and dying men were being evacuated, a second, larger bomb, 1,000lb, was detonated, killing a further 10 soldiers who were part of the rescue team. Gary died in the first explosion, and this terrorist attack was the largest loss of life for the military during the troubles in Northern Ireland.
Gary is remembered on the Ipswich memorial, and in 2015, a road and square were named after Aaron Maclure and Gary so their memory can live on.
The Barnes family and the Mayor of Ipswich, Cllr. Glen Chisholm unveils the nameplates for the Square and housing development.
Members of the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Anglian Regiment with Aaron’s mother and Gary’s family.
8 Comments
Gary was killed on my 18th Birthday, I will never forget hearing it on the news as I was celebrating my day. Gary is buried in the same row as my Dad, and I have been visiting his grave ever since I found him there. Every milestone of mine, I think of him. RIP Gary, God bless you.
Hello Shirley, thank you for your kind words and actions. We hope to keep Gary’s memory alive. Kind regards Andrew and Helen.
Thank you for this. I am Gary’s sister. We have recently had our mum and dad ashes buried with Gary
Fitting tribute to an Operation Banner casualty. A very dark day in the province indeed.
I am hoping to commemorate Gary’s passing 39 years ago with other veterans of Operation Banner and would sincerely love to hear from the family so we can discuss what we would like to do and have family present if possible
Sitting on the white stone wall at the wonderful war memorial and learning more about Private Gary Barnes of the Parachute Regiment. Rest in peace.
Thank you for this. I am Gary’s sister. We have recently had our mum and dad ashes buried with Gary
Hi Helen
Sorry to hear that your mum had passed away . We always had a chat up the park on Remembrance Day myself and my mum always attended as I still do as sadly my mum passed last November.Gary will never be forgotten.
Thank you for this. I am Gary’s sister. We have recently had our mum and dad ashes buried with Gary