| |
William Gordon Jolliffe |
Surname |
Christian Names |
Service Number |
Rank |
Regiment |
Jolliffe |
William Gordon |
24177549 |
L/Cpl |
3 Division Provost Company, Royal
Military Police |
Born |
Age |
Enlisted at |
Address |
Pinkley Wiltshire |
18 |
|
|
Date of Death |
Where killed |
Cause of Death |
01/03/1971 |
Altnagelvin Hospital,
Londonderry |
Asphyxiation - from
fire extinguisher fumes |
Cemetery |
Plot |
Country |
Tidworth Military Cemetery |
F 127 |
England |
Next of Kin |
Next of kin address |
Town |
Mrs LM Joliffe |
|
Chippenham |
Notes |
Young Soldier is Victim
of Petrol Bomb Attack
A young Military Policeman whose home is in Chippenham died in a Londonderry
hospital early on Monday shortly after a petrol bomb attack set his
landrover ablaze.
He was Lance Corporal William Joliffe, 18, of The Croft, Bath Road,
Chippenham.
L/Cpl Joliffe was fatally injured in the north east corner of Bogside,
Londonderry when the landrover was attacked as it passed the corner of
Westland and Cable Street on a routine patrol.
The vehicle was confronted by a youth who threw what looked like a petrol
bomb which did not explode. At the same time 15 to 20 youths converged from
both sides and threw 10 petrol bombs, all of which exploded, 4 against the
vehicle and the rest on the road.
The vehicle mounted the pavement and hit a wall. The driver got out and fell
to the ground as he did so.
He picked himself up and went back towards the vehicle but could not get
near it because of the flames. He was stoned by the crowd of youths but
charged them and arrested one before running him to a police station while
still being stoned.
L/Cpl Joliffe was taken from the back of the vehicle by residents of the
street and was taken into a house and wrapped in blankets.
He was taken by ambulance to a Altnagelvin hospital where he died shortly
after.
Two soldiers suffered shock but were not taken to hospital.
L/Cpl Joliffe had recently returned to Northern Ireland after being home on
leave in Chippenham for the funeral of his father. He was the elder son of
Mr and Mrs Alfred Joliffe. His younger brother, Harvey is serving in the
RAF.
L/Cpl Joliffe joined the army about a year ago after leaving Chippenham
School.
The funeral will be a military funeral at Tidworth in which members of his
company, the 3rd Division Provost Company will make up the bearer and firing
parties.Wiltshire Gazette and Herald 4 March
1971
Chippenham Soldier Buried with full Military Honours
The 19 year old Military Policeman who died after a Londonderry petrol bomb
ambush was buried at Tidworth with full military honours.
The body of L/Cpl Joliffe was flown from Ireland on Thursday (4th March).
The cortege was proceeded by 4 mounted Military Policemen.
As the gun carriage bearing the coffin drew up at the garrison church of St
Michael, a family wreath was laid on top alongside the dead soldier’s red
peaked cap and white blancoed belt. The body was borne into the church by 6
NCOs for the service conducted by the senior Army chaplain, Rev Robin Rowe.
Leading the mourners was Mrs LM Joliffe and her younger son, Alfred, a 16
year old RAF cadet.
Wiltshire Gazette and Herald 11 March 1971
Jolliffe was the third serviceman to be killed following the outbreak of
The Troubles. |
Memorials Commemorated on: |
Chippenham Town War Memorial |
Yes |
Armed Forces Memorial, National Arboretum
|
Last updated -
22/12/2016
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|