Category: Research
Black and Tans: A Historical Brief for a British Minister in 1972
In May 1972, the British Minister of State for Northern Ireland requested a short note on the origins of the Black and Tans and the B Specials. Lord Windlesham requested the historical brief regarding the Black and Tans and B Specials “at a time when the Royal Ulster Constabulary is under strength and there is […]
The Soldiers’ Truce, Christmas Day 1914
Remembering the Soldiers’ Truce on the Western Front 105 years ago, Christmas Day 1914. The festive miracle continued throughout Christmas Day and is recorded in the War Diary of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. “At dawn 25th, the Germans shouted out ‘Merry Xmas’ from their trenches and danced and sang in front of their […]
The Soldiers’ Truce, Christmas Eve 1914
Remembering the Soldiers’ Truce on the Western Front 105 years ago, Christmas 1914. Peace broke out 105 years ago along certain sections of the Western Front when troops on both sides of the trenches put down their weapons and sang Christmas hymns during a Soldiers’ Truce. Thanks to the great work of the National Archives, […]
Who Killed Joseph Downey?
Nobody in the Market was certain who killed Joseph Downey. A local witness at the inquest said he had watched Joseph Downey walking up McAuley Street in the Market, Belfast, close to his home and had shouted a warning to him there was shooting in the area. He thought Joseph had been drinking and did […]
Michael Leonard: Murder of Civilian by RUC Debated in Seanad
The murder of Donegal civilian, Michael Leonard, by RUC in 1973 is to be raised in the Seanad. An important Commencement Matter regarding the murder of Donegal civilian, Michael Leonard, by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) on 17th May 1973 will be discussed in Seanad Éireann today (2nd October 2019) as the family fight for […]
British Information Policy and Propaganda 1971
Read about British Information Policy and Propaganda in the North of Ireland 1971 in these short papers. In July 1971, Clifford Hill was seconded by Britain’s covert propaganda unit, Information Research Department, to the Northern Ireland Office to promote British information policy and propaganda. In Stormont circles, he was known as “Cliff the Spy”. His […]
Jean Smyth-Campbell Murder: Independent Investigation Ordered
The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has ordered an independent investigation into the murder of Jean Smyth-Campbell. Jean Smyth-Campbell was a single mother who was shot dead in an unprovoked attack in June 1972. The Royal Ulster Constabulary told her family that she was murdered by the local members of the […]
Police Admit To RUC Murder of Michael Leonard
As his family has long believed, the RUC did murder Michael Leonard. In an astounding admission, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has admitted that the shooting dead of civilian Michael Leonard on 17th May 1973 by members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary was in fact murder. Read Connla Young’s front page report in the […]
Consultation Response: Addressing the Legacy of the Past
Below is a summary of Paper Trail’s response to the consultation, Addressing the Legacy of the Past in Northern Ireland. Paper Trail’s project manager worked with the families of the Time for Truth Campaign which gathered nearly 15K responses to the consultation, Addressing the Legacy of the Past. Below is a summary of Paper Trail’s […]
Earliest Record of Operational MRF?
Is this the earliest record of an operational Military Reaction Force (MRF)? A British Army 39 Brigade Commander’s Diary from October 1971 could have uncovered the earliest operational record of the clandestine Military Reaction Force. We have other records naming the main players like Captain Arthur Watchus and Sergeant Clive Graham Williams from the beginning […]