Bombing
The Remembrance Day bombing (also known as the Enniskillen bombing or Poppy Day massacre ) killed 11 people and injured 64. The last victim died after lying in a coma for 13 years. The Provisional IRA planted a bomb in the town's reading rooms behind the town's war memorial. The device exploded during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony held to honour those who had served in British Armed Forces.
Wilson and his daughter, Marie, were buried in rubble when the 40 lb bomb exploded. Unable to move, he held her hand and comforted her as she lay dying, her last words were, "Daddy, I love you very much". Five minutes later rescuers pulled Wilson and his daughter out from under the collapsed building. Marie never regained consciousness and died later in hospital.
The BBC would later describe the bombing as a turning point in The Troubles because the attack shook the IRA "to its core". Pivotal to the change in attitude towards this sort of attack was Wilson's reaction to the death of his daughter. The 60-year-old draper publicly forgave those who had planted the bomb and said he would pray for them. He also begged that no-one took revenge for Marie's death and pleaded with Loyalists not to do so.
Read more about this topic: Gordon Wilson (peace Campaigner)
Famous quotes containing the word bombing:
“My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes.”
—Ronald Reagan (b. 1911)
“The compulsion to do good is an innate American trait. Only North Americans seem to believe that they always should, may, and actually can choose somebody with whom to share their blessings. Ultimately this attitude leads to bombing people into the acceptance of gifts.”
—Ivan Illich (b. 1926)
“Did all of us feel interested in bombing buildings only when the men we slept with were urging us on?”
—Jane Alpert (b. 1947)