A Day Never to be Forgotten
Memories of the Birmingham pub bombings 50 years ago, including those of journalists Bob Haywood and Barry Phillips, are recorded in a new 105-page book which tells the story of what remains the worst unsolved terrorist atrocity committed in Britain.
Twenty-one people died and more than 200 people were injured when explosions rocked the Mulberry Bush pub, located at the foot of The Rotunda, and the Tavern in the Town, a basement pub in nearby New Street.
The IRA bombings followed a warning phone call to the offices of the Birmingham Post & Mail, although the terrorist organisation has never actually claimed responsibility for the twin explosions on 21 November,1974.
Now the heart-breaking testimonials of some of the survivors, rescue workers and those affected by the blasts have been captured in Remembrance and Reflection – 50 Years On: The Birmingham Bombings (published by APS Books) a limited commemorative hardback compiled, written and produced by Maggie Fogarty and Enda Mullen as an historical resource to mark the anniversary.
Both Maggie (pictured), an award-winning television producer/journalist who in 2004 produced a BBC documentary about the tragedy, and freelance journalist Enda come from Birmingham Irish backgrounds.
Immediately following the bombings there was a backlash against the Irish community in Birmingham – one such incident being recalled by Maurice Malone, who is now chief executive of the Birmingham Irish Association. As an eight-year-old living in Chelmsley Wood, Maurice saw his father return from work the day after the bombings with cuts and bruises after being attacked by angry colleagues at the factory where he worked. Attacked just because he was Irish.
He was effectively sacked and told to go home. Afterwards, he turned to drink and Maurice’s family life was never the same again. His father left the family home and moved back to Ireland. It was 15 years before Maurice saw him again.
For bomb survivor Carol Pearce, to this day she is still not sure how she and her friend, Heather, managed to survive. Within minutes of the teenagers sitting down in the Tavern in the Town there was a massive explosion, killing all the people sitting near them. Carol received extensive burns to her legs, a wound on her back, her left eardrum was punctured leaving her with long- term hearing loss and tinnitus, while Heather escaped with facial wounds.
Other testimonials surely confirm that the impact of that day 50 years ago is as raw today as it was then.
Crowds gathered at the Birmingham Pub Bombings memorial
Meanwhile, in Birmingham city centre, crowds gathered to mark the 50th anniversary at a number of memorial events, one of which was attended by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who read a message from King Charles. To this day, the Birmingham Mail, the survivors and their relatives continue to lobby for an official public inquiry into the atrocity in the hope that one day truth, justice and accountability will out.
Later, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, when asked about an inquiry, told BBC Radio WM: “We are engaging with the communities and campaigners, it’s very important that we do, and we’ll listen to what they’re asking for, and so we’ll continue to engage with them. But it is important that we listen to as many voices as possible, and that’s what the Home Office is doing.”
Photo: A memorial service held outside New Street Station. Photo” Darren Quinton. Touchstone Visuals
