Ex-Paras gather in Markington to remember comrade killed in the Troubles

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A group of ex-Paratroopers gathered in Markington yesterday (August 27) at the grave of a soldier killed in the deadliest attack on the British army during the Troubles.

Corporal Leonard Jones, 26, was killed during the Warrenpoint bombings on August 27, 1979. He was killed by a second bomb detonated in an ambush by the Provisional IRA near Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland.

Eighteen British soldiers died and more than 20 were injured. 

It happened on the same day the IRA killed Lord Louis Mountbatten.

Chris Jackson, a former sergeant of the Second Battalion, Parachute Regiment, joined seven other comrades at the Church of St. Michael in Markington, where Corporal Leonard Jones was laid to rest.

Ex-Paratroopers travelled from Ripon, Wakefield and Harrogate to pay their respects.

A 15-minute service was held and a wraith placed on Cpl Jones’ headstone.

Mr Jackson, who is from Harrogate, said Cpl Jones worked with the machine guns corps and that, although he didn’t know him personally, the service was an “expression of solidarity”.

He added:

Mr Jackson added that one of his best friends, Corporal John Giles, was also killed during the attack. After attending the Markington service, the ex-paratroopers travelled to Stockton-on-Tees, where another service was held for Cpl Giles.