H.E.T...Locals did try to help dying soldier

[eskrimador]

Private Paul Carter was manning an army lorry that was transporting medical supplies in 1971 when an IRA sniper shot him twice. Until today, his family believed the army lie that no one tried to help him, they tried to steal his rifle and that they tried to take his body today.

Thanks to the HET, the family know the truth. Firstly, all of the above was lies. The BBC reports;

"Not only did two men run to his aid from the Falls Road, but they risked their lives in doing so.

The report said: "Two men, who were close by, ran down the road to where Private Carter was lying and carried him to the casualty building inside the hospital.

"As they were doing so, they heard a second burst of gunfire but continued to carry Private Carter to safety."

The report has been a source of comfort to Private Carter's family, who live in Brighton, Sussex, in the south of England.

The soldier's sister, Trudie Baker, said: "We were told that somebody tried to take his rifle from him while he lying, bleeding to death. That was not true.


Private Carter's sister, Trudie Baker, has welcomed the HET report.
"The way it was told to us, he was on his own, and that wasn't the case.

"He wasn't just left to die. To me that has made a huge, huge difference. To find that somebody wanted to help him, and a lot of people did, that was just invaluable for me."

BBC News - Truth behind soldier's murder 40 years ago comforts family

This reminds me of an incident primarily involving my family. 2 soldiers were shot while coming down the Whiterock Road. They crashes in to a very thick pillar between our's and our neighbour's properties. My father went straight in to the car and tried all he could to help the men. It was immediately apparent what they were but that made no difference to my dad. Unfortunately, all was unsuccessful but my dad, a very religious man, always carried Rosary beads and holy water on him and blessed them both.

As it turned out, one of the soldiers was indeed Catholic.

[Catalpa]

Private Paul Carter was manning an army lorry that was transporting medical supplies in 1971 when an IRA snipewr shot him twice. Until today, his family believed the army lie that no one tried to help him, they tried to steal his rifle and that they tried to take his body today.

Thanks to the HET, the family know the truth. Firstly, all of the above was lies. The BBC reports;

"Not only did two men run to his aid from the Falls Road, but they risked their lives in doing so.

The report said: "Two men, who were close by, ran down the road to where Private Carter was lying and carried him to the casualty building inside the hospital.

"As they were doing so, they heard a second burst of gunfire but continued to carry Private Carter to safety."

The report has been a source of comfort to Private Carter's family, who live in Brighton, Sussex, in the south of England.

The soldier's sister, Trudie Baker, said: "We were told that somebody tried to take his rifle from him while he lying, bleeding to death. That was not true.


Private Carter's sister, Trudie Baker, has welcomed the HET report.
"The way it was told to us, he was on his own, and that wasn't the case.

"He wasn't just left to die. To me that has made a huge, huge difference. To find that somebody wanted to help him, and a lot of people did, that was just invaluable for me."

BBC News - Truth behind soldier's murder 40 years ago comforts family

This reminds me of an incident primarily involving my family. 2 soldiers were shot while coming down the Whiterock Road. They crashes in to a very thick pillar between our's and our neighbour's properties. My father went straight in to the car and tried all he could to help the men. It was immediately apparent what they were but that made no difference to my dad. Unfortunately, all was unsuccessful but my dad, a very religious man, always carried Rosary beads and holy water on him and blessed them both.

As it turned out, one of the soldiers was indeed Catholic.

We were always told down here that anyone going to the aid of a shot British soldier

- would themselves be shot by the IRA

- how come they never shot your Dad then?

[between the bridges]

After a reviewing a case, the HET can refer it back to the PSNI crime operations department for further investigation and possible prosecutions. This has happened on 22 occasions.

In most instances, the passage of time means there is very little hard evidence available and no prospect of anyone being convicted.

In the case of Private Carter, no-one was ever arrested, and, realistically, the murder will never be solved.

However, for Trudie Baker, finding out that he did not die alone brought her some consolation after 40 years of grieving for her older brother.

i am glad that this family got some benefit from the HET enquires.

[Roaring Meg]

We were always told down here that anyone going to the aid of a shot British soldier

- would themselves be shot by the IRA

- how come they never shot your Dad then?

They only shoot mothers who have at least 10 weans for that crime

Especially if they're prods

[Aristodemus]

Obviously the local "patriots" took a dim view. The following year they "disappeared" Jean McConville for the same "offence"

[Global Justice]

again the terrorist british army proven to be compulsive liars with no compassion. simply put - british imperialism

[eskrimador]

We were always told down here that anyone going to the aid of a shot British soldier

- would themselves be shot by the IRA

- how come they never shot your Dad then?

I think it was around the mid 80's, things were different from the tar and feather days of the early 70's. The incident, including our house,was featured in the opening titles of the BBC NI evening news.

[Young Ned]

Obviously the local "patriots" took a dim view. The following year they "disappeared" Jean McConville for the same "offence"

I don't claim to know the truth of what happened there, but what confuses me about this is that the same people who talk about using the BC Belfast project tapes to find out what really happened to her are happy to take the word of the interviewees that Adams was involved, but ignore the fact that these interviewees claim the rationale for her murder was that she was giving information to the British.

Why is that? If I was inclined to believe the Brendan Hughes when he said Adams was involved, I'd be inclined to believe him when he said why she was killed, or I would choose not to believe him. Why believe half of the story?

[vivabrigada]

They only shoot mothers who have at least 10 weans for that crime

Especially if they're prods

I'm not trying to justify anything but I am reading Ed Moloney's book 'Voices from the Grave', which a lot of people here have quoted especially regarding Gerry Adams. On the Jean McConville killing Brendan Hughes said that his IRA unit found a transmitter in her house, took it away and warned her not to have anymore dealings with the British Army. he said they went back to her house some time later and found a second transmitter. I was only three at the time so if anyone has any objections to this part of the book they should take it up with Ed Moloney.

[eskrimador]

i am glad that this family got some benefit from the HET enquires.

I heard Private Carter's sister on 5Live and she sounded so relieved. The link I posted says there were rumours about people tring to take the soldier's body away but in the interview, Sgt Carter's sister lay the blame at the army for telling her that.