Murder of 2 Royal Marines - East Ferry Ireland

Unit/ Formation: Royal Marines

Location: Ireland

Period/ Conflict: Anglo-Irish War

Year: 1921

Date/s: 14 May 1921

On Saturday 14th May 1921 2 Royal Marine Artillery gunners were abducted, shot dead and dumped in a local quarry, the 2 marines may have been on duty at East Ferry, 3 miles from Ballinacurra.

Apparently a "shoot at sight" order had been given to the IRA in Cork on 14 May.

There were 7 British Soldiers killed that day.

the 2 Royal Marines were;

Gunner Bernard Francis RMA/14710

Gunner William Parker RMA/14560

Image RM Historical society - William Parker Memorial Tablet St. Michael and All Angels' Church, the Depot R. M., Deal Kent.

Both men had served in WW1 Francis enlisted on 8th March 1915 and served in teh fleet on HMS Lion, joining after Jutland, Parker enlisted on 9th September 1915, amd joined HMS Malaya in January 1916, it is lilkely he served at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916.