Alan Malcher

REMEMBERING RANGER CYRIL JOHN SMITH QGM The Royal Irish Rangers Killed 24 October 1990 Today, we remember Ranger Cyril John Smith, whose extraordinary courage and selflessness cost him his life 36 years ago. In the early hours of 24th October 1990, Ranger Smith was serving with 4 Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Rangers at a permanent vehicle checkpoint at Cloghoge Mountain, south of Newry, Northern Ireland. At 4:09 am, a yellow van carrying an IRA bomb arrived at the checkpoint. Its driver, who had been taken hostage and forced to deliver the vehicle, shouted a warning. Ranger Smith immediately helped the driver to safety, alerting his fellow soldiers to the danger. But rather than remain in safety himself, he turned back towards the checkpoint, determined to make sure the other Rangers were safe. Despite warnings not to return, his reported words were: "I have to go back and make sure the rest of the boys are safe." Moments later, the bomb exploded, killing him instantly. His final actions were those of a soldier thinking not of his own life, but of the lives of others. On 5th November 1991, Ranger Cyril John Smith was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM) in recognition of his exceptional bravery. Today, 36 years on, we remember not simply how he died, but the courage, loyalty and selflessness with which he lived his final moments. Ranger Cyril John Smith QGM. His courage must never be forgotten. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 🇬🇧 We Will Remember Them. #WeWillRememberThem #LestWeForget