- Extended Description
- Private 24469635 John BIRCH. 3rd UDR Born 1962, resided with his family at Meadow Park, Ballywalter. He was killed by a 1000lb bomb while on mobile patrol with three other soldiers on the 9th April 1990 aged 28 on the Ballydugan Road, Downpatrick, County Down. They all belonged to the 3rd County Down Battalion. At rest in
At rest in Whitechurch Cemetery, Ballywalter, County Down. Grave M52.
Click on ballydugan four in the the tag boxes for further connections
IRA Landmine Attack on 3 UDR
Event
Monday, 9 April, 1990
Corporal John Bradley, Private Michael Adams, Private John Birch and Private Steven Smart of the 3rd Battalion The Ulster Defence Regiment were killed in a landmine attack outside Downpatrick.
The mobile patrol was travelling from Ballykinler towards the town on the Ballydugan Road. The 1,000lb device exploded as the two Land Rovers passed, leaving a crater 15 feet deep and 40 feet wide. It was the Regiment's largest single loss of life since a landmine attack near Ballygawley in July
