Commemoration for first RUC woman shot dead by IRA - less than 100m from where her father was murdered
A commemoration service will take place this Sunday for the first RUC woman shot dead during the Troubles – less than 100m from where her father was murdered two years earlier.
Only 19, reserve RUC constable Linda Baggley died in hospital on June 2, 1976 after being injured in an IRA gun attack on a police patrol in the Waterside area of Londonderry 10 days earlier.
She was the first female RUC officer shot dead in the Troubles.
Three youths and a teenage girl were given life sentences for the murder.
Her father William, 43 and with three children, was killed when an IRA gunmen opened fire on him and another officer two years earlier less than 100m from the same spot.
Four years later a 24-year-old Londonderry man was jailed for life for the murder.
Linda’s two siblings paid tribute to her ahead of the SEFF North West Victims Service, where they will offer a reflection.
Their sister was only 19 years old when she was murdered, they noted.
“We had our dad William also stolen away in January 1974. He too was a reserve constable; we never imagined lightning could possibly strike twice - but it did," they said.
They noted that Linda was "a very bubbly, outgoing girl" who was in the school’s hockey and badminton teams.
"She had a keen eye for fashion, and was regularly ahead of the curve. As soon as she started working and had her own money she enjoyed nothing more than wearing the latest styles. She was full of life."
After their father's murder, she became the support for her mother and two siblings.
"Life was never dull around Linda," they said. "Her energy, humour and zest for life was clear to be seen and enjoyed by all who knew her.
She worked in a supermarket and joined the RUC reserve in 1975.
"She loved the banter among work colleagues and the comradeship in the RUC. She made friends easily, was very chatty which was evidenced in her school reports where the familiar words would appear; 'Linda should chat less and channel more enthusiasm into her work!'"
After her murder, however, their house became "so empty".
"There was no laughter, just darkness and sadness,” they said.
They continued as best they could with the love of aunts and uncles, their Glendermott Parish Church and the RUC GC family.
"Although we were forever mindful just how different life was without our previous dad and loving sister."
“We honour Linda with gratitude, for her dedication to her family, for her determination to follow on our dad’s footsteps and her commitment to living life to its fullest.
“She was our pride and joy, forever loved, forever missed and never forgotten. All gave some, but some gave all.”
SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said the Baggley family are “deeply respected” within SEFF, across the RUC GC family and beyond.
"Having a husband and father stolen away to then be followed by a daughter and sister through terrorism just two years later is unimaginable,” he said.
SEFF’s North West service is on Sunday in Newbuildings Methodist Church at 3pm.