'It is so important that Winston is remembered': Special community service to take place to mark the 55th anniversary of murdered UDR soldier
A special community service will be held this weekend to remember UDR soldier Winston Donnell – five years on after his family were unable to mark the 50th anniversary of his death because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The service of remembrance and thanksgiving will take place at Urney Presbyterian Church, outside Clady, on Sunday at 3pm, marking the 55th anniversary of Mr Donnell's death.
Mr Donnell, from Hillhead Road, Urney, was a member of the 6th Battalion County Tyrone and became the first member of the UDR CGC to be murdered while on duty.
He was shot dead on August 9, 1971, after internment was introduced in Northern Ireland. His patrol had been called out to establish a checkpoint on the edge of Clady, close to the Donegal border.
As dusk fell, a car approached the checkpoint before reversing. Mr Donnell stepped into the road in an attempt to stop the vehicle but came under fire from a Thompson submachine gun. He died almost instantly from multiple gunshot wounds.
Accounts of the incident state that his actions helped protect fellow members of the patrol, including his own brother. An open verdict was later recorded at his inquest in Strabane in April 1972.
His sister, Audrey Robinson, said it was important that her brother's life continued to be remembered.
She said: “My brother was a beautiful young man who we all looked up to and respected, he enjoyed life and was at the heart of everything.
“Winston didn’t give his life, it wasn’t a voluntary action - his life was stolen away by cruel terrorists and our lives were forever changed.
“When special family occasions have occurred over the year Winston’s absence is forever felt, he should have been here to enjoy those moments and to have had the potential to have his own family.
“For our family it is so important that Winston is remembered, that his legacy goes forward and that the light he brought within the world is never extinguished”.
The service is being organised with support from the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).
SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said: “We are honoured to be supporting the Donnell family in holding a service or remembrance and thanksgiving marking Winston’s life; something they were denied over the period of COVID.
“Winston Donnell’s life was a testament to service, he stepped forward at a time when he couldn’t turned the other way, but he knew the impending threat and a courage of terrorism and he was determined to play his part in in defending and protesting the community within the border heartland he resided.
“The family encourage the local community to come along and support the service on Sunday, to remember a young life well lived,”
Mr Donnell was a member of Urney Presbyterian Church and the Tullywhisker Border Guards Pipe Band. Memorial plaques bearing his name are located in Urney Presbyterian Church, Leckpatrick Parish Church and on a memorial dedicated by Tullywhisker LOL No. 1120 to members who were murdered.
His memory is also preserved as part of SEFF's memorial quilt, ‘Through Remembering, We Build Bridges’.