'Smart' and 'switched-on' Portsmouth soldier honoured at memorial 50 years after killing in Northern Ireland

Emotional soldiers gathered to honour a soldier who was killed in Northern Ireland almost 50 years after his death.

Army veterans and members of the public gathered at Milton Cemetery on Sunday (August 2) to commemorate Private Alan Watkins. The Portsmouth-born soldier, who served in the Royal Hampshire Regiment, was shot dead on August 3, 1976, while on foot patrol.

He was killed in Dungiven County, Londonderry, aged 21 - leaving behind a family and young child. Former Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, Pete Shipway, briefly met Pte Watkins shortly before his death.

He told The News: “He was a very smart and switched-on soldier, and was alert at all times. He came to Northern Ireland straight from the depot and went to the reconnaissance platoon where I was.

“He stayed with us for a couple of weeks to acclimatise, before going to A Company in Dungiven, and we know he was sadly killed.”

A wreath was laid at Pte Watkins’ headstone and a Bugler played The Last Post, with the regimental standard being lowered. This was followed by a brief moment of silence to honour his service and sacrifice.

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“We think it’s important to make sure his memory never dies,” L/Cpl Shipway said. “He will be remembered forever by his headstone, members of his regiment, and by those of us who are still around. I hope this gets back to his family and we can show that he has never been forgotten.”

The 69-year-old got acquainted with Pte Watkins once the young soldier arrived in Northern Ireland, socialising with him for a few weeks. “It became very hard in camp when we heard what happened to him,” L/Cpl Shipway said.

“Soldiers make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, for now their king, and for each other.”

The 1st battalion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment was deployed eight times to Northern Ireland between 1969 and 1991. Personnel often faced hostile crowds, sophisticated traps, sniper fire, and ambushes, as well as rocket and mortar attacks.

Roadside bombs were also used to target soldiers. Routine patrols in rural and urban areas were commonplace, where intelligence was fed back to local police forces. The regiment was amalgamated in 1992 with The Queen’s Regiment to form The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR).

Former corporal in the 1st battalion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, Keith Unwin, said the veterans community came out in droves to show their respect for Pte Watkins. “Many of the veterans here didn’t know Alan, but we wanted to come together and commemorate the 50 years.

“It’s a strong community outside of the Army. As veterans, we stand together and have reunions every year. It’s just something that we do and it’s our life.”