Family to visit spot where soldier was killed 50 years ago

The family of a soldier killed in Northern Ireland 50 years ago are to mark the anniversary by visiting the spot where he died.

Norman McKenzie, 25, a driver with the Royal Corps of Transport, was killed following an IRA landmine explosion near Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, on April 11 1974.

His family will lay flowers on the spot where he died and a service of remembrance will also take place.

Mr McKenzie’s sister, Trudy McKenzie-Robinson, said the loss of her brother was deeply traumatic for the family.

She said: “Looking back upon childhood, Norman was a good older brother, he was kind to me, he really enjoyed his time in the Boys’ Brigade as a drummer boy and he also worked on the land.

“We were born and raised in Lincoln and we didn’t have much, but as a family we did have each other.

“Norman was a big, strapping lad and he was intent on joining the Army and of seeing something of the world.

“He left home when aged just 17 years. I would have been 11 at the time, so unfortunately over the next nine years that we had him with us, we didn’t see so much of each other.”

Ms McKenzie-Robinson said her brother had been due to leave the Army in 1975 and planned to make a life for himself in Germany.

She added: “Due to the actions of terrorism he was, of course, denied that opportunity.

“It is so important that I honour my brother’s memory.

“I have visited Fermanagh previously some years ago and I did make that journey with a degree of trepidation.

“Those feelings are still there but are not as pronounced this time around because I know there are people in Fermanagh who care.

“I understand there are people who genuinely have our family’s best interests at heart and who are grateful of the sacrifice that my brother and so many other courageous regular Army soldiers made.”

Victims’ organisation South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) is supporting the family by organising the events to mark the 50th anniversary.

Director Kenny Donaldson said: “Norman was not due to be on duty the day of his murder but something required fixing so he volunteered to go and sort this problem out and was tragically killed when his vehicle was blown up by a Provisional IRA landmine explosion on a country road outside Lisnaskea.

“Norman was thrown from his vehicle, he was trapped under debris and died of asphyxiation.”

He added: “It is our honour to support the McKenzie family and to host them over the days of the 50th Anniversary since he was cruelly murdered.

“A service of remembrance and thanksgiving will take place in Fawney Orange Hall at 6pm on Thursday when a plaque and photo frame will be dedicated.

“A warm invitation is extended to people from across the community to come along and show solidarity with Norman’s surviving family.”