Northern Ireland

British army records cast fresh light on killing of IRA man Billy Reid

IRA man Billy Reid was shot dead by the British army on May 15 1971
IRA man Billy Reid was shot dead by the British army on May 15 1971 IRA man Billy Reid was shot dead by the British army on May 15 1971

Unseen British army files have revealed fresh details surrounding the death of IRA man Billy Reid, whose 50th anniversary takes place today.

The 32-year-old was shot dead during a gun battle with British soldiers near Belfast city centre on May 15, 1971.

The story of his death was later told through a well-known ballad named after him.

It has been claimed he fired the shots that claimed the life of Gunner Robert Curtis, the first squaddie killed by republicans during the Troubles in February 1971.

Military logs uncovered by the charity Paper Trail suggest that the shoot-out that resulted in the death of Mr Reid took place after a Recce Platoon of the First Battalion of the Royal Highland Fusiliers approached a car he and two others were travelling in.

They also reveal that the occupants of the car opened fire on the soldiers with an SMG (sub-machine gun), injuring two.

A later report reveals that "CO (commanding officer) feels that gunmen going to do a job but that it was a surprise for them when ptl (patrol) arrived."

During the exchange an unidentified sergeant returned fire with a Browning hitting one man six times and a second man four times.

The files reveal that the wounded republican who escaped fitted the description of a man later linked to the killing of three British soldiers on the outskirts of north Belfast in March 1971.

The three were all members of the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Ciarán MacAirt from Paper Trail said the recently discovered records provide a different view of events.

"These are invaluable historical records written from the perspective of the British Army and offer us some differing views on the narrative," he said.