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 Lawn Cemetery,

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 was named after Aaron Maclure and Gary so their memory can live on.

The Barnes family and the Mayor of Ipswich Cllr Glen Chisholm unveiling the name plates for the Square and housing development.

Members of the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Anglian Regiment with Aarons mother and Gary’s family.