1972 Aldershot bombing facts for kids

The 1972 Aldershot bombing was a serious attack that happened on 22 February 1972 in Aldershot, England. A car bomb was used by a group called the Official Irish Republican Army. They aimed for the main building of the British Army's 16th Parachute Brigade. The group said they did it to get revenge for an event called Bloody Sunday.

Sadly, six civilian workers and a Catholic military chaplain were killed. Nineteen other people were also hurt. This was the biggest attack by the Official IRA in Great Britain during a time known as "the Troubles". It was also one of their last major actions before they stopped fighting in May 1972. A member of the Official IRA, Noel Jenkinson, was found guilty for his part in the bombing.

What Led to the Bombing

The conflict known as the Troubles began in 1969 with riots in Northern Ireland. To keep peace, the British Army was sent to cities like Derry and Belfast. They helped the local police, called the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).

In December 1969, a group called the Irish Republican Army split into two parts. These were the Official IRA and the Provisional IRA. Both groups started fighting against the British forces.

On 30 January 1972, something terrible happened in Derry. Soldiers shot 28 unarmed people during a march. Fourteen people died, including teenagers. This event became known as Bloody Sunday. After this, many more people joined the two IRA groups.

The Attack in Aldershot

The Official IRA wanted to bomb the main building of the 16th Parachute Brigade. Some soldiers from this group were involved in the Bloody Sunday shootings. Even though there were warnings, the army base was open. There were no security checks for people coming in.

A rented Ford Cortina car was left in the car park. Inside it was a 280 pounds (130 kg) time bomb. The car was placed right outside the officers' dining hall. The bomb exploded at 12:40 pm on 22 February. It destroyed the dining hall and badly damaged other army offices nearby.

The soldiers who were the main targets were not there. The regiment was stationed in another country. Most officers were in their offices, not in the dining hall. However, seven civilian staff members were killed. These included five women who were leaving work, a gardener, and Father Gerard Weston. Father Weston was a Catholic priest who worked with the army. Nineteen people were also injured.

The people who died were Father Weston (38), gardener John Haslar (58), and civilian workers Jill Mansfield (34), Thelma Bosley (44), Margaret Grant (32), Sheri Munton (20), and Joan Lunn (39).

On 23 February, the Official IRA said they were responsible for the attack. They stated it was revenge for Bloody Sunday. They also said they were sorry for any civilian deaths. They claimed their target was the officers they blamed for the events in Derry. The Official IRA also warned that this would be the first of many attacks on British Army bases.

What Happened Next

Because the bomb mostly killed civilians, the Official IRA was widely criticized. On 29 May 1972, the Official IRA leaders announced a ceasefire. This meant they would only fight if they had to defend themselves. The Aldershot bombing is thought to be one reason for this decision.

In November 1972, Noel Jenkinson was found guilty for his part in the bombing. He was sentenced to life in prison. The judge suggested he should serve at least 30 years. Two other men, Finbar Kissane and Michael Duignan, also received shorter prison sentences.

Noel Jenkinson died in prison in 1976 at age 46. His cause of death was heart failure.