Lest we forget: DAVIDSON, Derek Kerr – Royal Highland Fusiliers – Royal Ulster Constabulary

Surname: Davidson
First Name: Derek Kerr
Nickname:
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Junior Service Location:
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Permanent Staff Location: Shorncliffe
Permanent Staff Service Date: 1967-69
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Regiment: Royal Highland Fusiliers - Royal Ulster Constabulary
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Age: 26
Date of Death: 1979 August 2
Gravesite: Roselawn Cemetery, Ballygowan Rd, Castlereagh (Sect 5, Plot 3613)
KIA/DIS: Killed In Action
Location: Northern Ireland
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From Eric Taylor – Derek was shot dead on 2nd August 1979 in Clondara Street Belfast (just off the Falls). At that time he was serving with the RUC (I believe after a tour in NI he married an Irish lass left the Army and joined the RUC).

From “Lost Lives” – Derek was shot by the IRA as he climbed out of a Land Rover in Clondara Street off the Falls Road Belfast. The RUC had been responding to what was later recognised as a hoax burglary report. Derek was stationed at the Springfield Road RUC Station. He was originally from Edinburgh and had been a member of the RUC since January 1979. He was married with a four year old daughter. A woman caller purporting to be a resident of Clondara Street told police she had returned from holiday to find her house burgled. Police checked back on the call made from a local shop and decided to investigate. It was as they were waiting to get into the house that the gunmen opened fire. The IRA had taken over a house opposite and held the occupants hostage. They fired on the RUC patrol from an upstairs window killing Derek instantly.
Derek was the 2129th person to be killed in the recent troubles.