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Christina Drummond

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Douglas Corden-Lloyd O.B.E., M.C.


Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 1978, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Douglas Corden-Lloyd O.B.E., M.C., was killed in Northern Ireland. His battalion had deployed to Northern Ireland two months before, when hostilities were particularly high. Commissioned into the 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles, he later transferred to the Royal Green Jackets, then was seconded to the SAS. In 1971 he took part in Operation Demetrius; in 1972 was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in Northern Ireland; and in 1976 became commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets, and was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military). On the day of his death, a Green Jackets observation post deployed around the village of Jonesborough came under heavy fire from the March Wall, parallel to the border with Ireland. The soldiers returned fire, but were prevented from advancing due to open ground and the short distance to the border. Lieutenant Colonel Corden-Lloyd, as commanding officer, flew with two other officers from the base at Bessbrook Mill, in order to assess the situation and provide information to the troops. While flying low and fast over the scene of the engagement, the helicopter came under fire. The pilot lost control and they crashed into the field bordered by the March Wall, just under half a mile from Jonesborough. Lieutenant Colonel Corden-Lloyd was killed instantly, the other two passengers were wounded. He was awarded a posthumous mention in dispatches “in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Northern Ireland." Born in Durban, South Africa, Ian was 39 years old and married with three sons.

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