Gingles , Alan (A)

Lieutenant A Gingles, 5 RR - Killed In Action, 15 October 1981 DEDICATION In honoured memory of Alan Gingles, late the Royal Irish Rangers and Selous Scouts, killed in action whilst fighting terrorism. Faugh a Ballagh! STORY An official communiquè, issued by SADF Headquarters in October 1981, announced that Lieutenant Alan Gingles had been killed "in action against terrorists in the operational area". However, as is often the case with these terse official announcements, there was more to the story of Alan Gingles's death than was apparent from the communiquè. Alan Gingles was killed whilst leading a small Special Forces team carrying out an operation against the Harare-Beira railway near Doeroi, in Moçambique, some 300 miles from the South African border. It would appear there was a premature detonation whilst they were laying their demolition charges, and Alan and three of his comrades were killed. FRELIMO found their bodies and equipment, but as per SOPs, nothing was being carried which would enable them to identify the men. When the Moçambican Government publicised the incident and accused the SADF of carrying out acts of sabotage in Moçambique, the South African Government disavowed all knowledge of the men and the incident. However, a partial account of the incident was pieced together by an investigative journalist, and published in a British newspaper in February 1983. Alan Gingles was from Larne, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Having graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Royal Irish Rangers, and served with the Second Battalion in Hemer, West Germany. Thirsting for adventure, and an opportunity to fight terrorism, Alan left the British Army and went to Rhodesia, where he passed selection and became a member of the Selous Scouts. Following the demise of Rhodesia, he joined the SADF. At the time of his death, he was serving with the 5th Reconnaissance Regiment at Phalaborwa, in the Eastern Transvaal. Alan was not forgotten by his brother officers of 2 Royal Irish. They commissioned a portrait of him, which was hung in the Officers' Mess. (MTR) Riley Riley

In honoured memory of Alan Gingles, late the Royal Irish Rangers and Selous Scouts, killed in action whilst fighting terrorism. Faugh a Ballagh!

I dedicate this message to a fallen hero,To which my name was also dedicated.I never knew you.But we have the same aim.The protection of Ulster and Great Britain.For Ulster he lived and for Ulster he died.Look after mother for me alan.