Robert SMYTH

Private 24489077 Robert (Roy) SMYTH killed on active service with the Operations Platoon, 3rd Ulster Defence Regiment 6th January 1980 aged 18. He was one of a section of four in the lead vehicle on a two vehicle patrol near Castlewellan, County Down. On their return to Ballykinlar Camp their vehicle was blown up by a 600lb home made land mine at Burren Bridge, near Caslewellan. He and private Jim Cochran were trapped under water underneath their vehicle in the crater which was filling up with water from a broken water main caused by the explosion. Three had died at the scene, two from fractured skulls and one may have drowned. He is at rest in Comber Cemetery, County Down, Northern Ireland.