First murders of RUC men were criticised on both sides of border

Every day in our Memorial Garden, and in our hearts, we remember those brave colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice — and their families.

I was proud to wear the uniform of the RUC and serve alongside some of the most courageous and professional police officers in the world.

So today, as we remember the 50th anniversary of the first RUC fatalities of republican terrorism during the Troubles, I feel it is critically important to ensure they are never forgotten.

Constables Samuel Donaldson and Robert Millar were stationed at Crossmaglen.

On August 11 1970 they were young men simply doing ordinary police work, responding to the report of a stolen car, when they were callously murdered by a booby trap bomb — both losing their lives on August 12.

It is worth noting that at the time sympathy and condolences came from both communities and both sides of the border.

Sadly, these types of despicable acts continued in South Armagh and many other parts of the Province deliberately driving a wedge between the people and the police.

While condemning the act and reiterating sincere sympathy to the officers’ families one can only be thankful that their colleagues were not deterred but instead continued to do their duty year after year in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances.

As HM The Queen said when she awarded the George Cross to the Force, “This award is made to recognise the collective courage and dedication to duty of all those who have served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and who have accepted the danger and stress this has brought to them and to their families”.

When doing so she fittingly recognised the gallantry of officers like Constables Donaldson and Millar.

l Stephen White, a former RUC assistant chief constable, is chairman of the RUC George Cross Foundation