LANCE CORPORAL JOSEPH BARRIE REDBURN GOLD
Borderers,
On this day 25th April 1972 the Battalion would suffer its second KIA on OPERATION BANNER.
LCpl Barrie Gold was part of B Company in a section commanded by Cpl Simpson, on the 18th of April 1972 they were manning a checkpoint at the junction of St James Crescent and the Donegal Road West Belfast. LCpl Gold was on the road controlling traffic when he was shot in the neck, on seeing him fall Pte Smith 26 rushed to his aid, the gunman then fired a burst of fifteen rounds at Smith as he dragged the unconscious LCpl Gold into the rear of the vehicle. Sadly LCpl Gold would die from his wounds on 25th April. Pte Smith would be awarded a GOCs commendation for his bravery.
He was aged 29 and on the last days of his tour of duty.
Barrie is laid to rest in Wairds Cemetery Melrose and is remembered on our memorial in Palace Barracks Belfast