Sole survivor of Kingsmill massacre received MBE in British New Year honors

Alan Black, the sole survivor of the 1976 Kingsmill massacre, is among more than 80 people from Northern Ireland to receive awards on Queen Elizabeth’s New Years honors list.

Black survived the shooting despite being shot 18 times in the Provisional IRA attack on Kingsmill in South Armagh.

In the attack, a bus full of textile workers was stopped at Kingsmill as they were returning from work. The only Catholic among them was singled out and told to flee.

The other eleven workers, all Protestants, were shot by an IRA gang estimated to comprise at least eleven members.

While the massacre was admitted by an organization calling itself the South Armagh Republican Action Force, the Historical Investigations Team in 2011 found that the Provisional IRA carried out the “purely sectarian” and “calculated” massacre of the men.

Mr. Black received an MBE for his community service in South Armagh.

South Armagh Ulster Unionist Representative Councilor David Taylor said it was a “much-deserved award for Alan Black, who despite enduring and surviving one of the most horrible events of all the riots, has shown nothing but dignity. and humanity throughout his life. “

“I know that his recognition on the New Years honors list will be well received by local people and far beyond, as both he and the Kingsmill families continue their battle for truth and justice, even after 45 long years. ”He added.

Concert pianist Barry Douglas received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to music and community relations in Northern Ireland.

Champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, who will compete for Ireland at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, was honored with a BEM (Medalist of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to gymnastics.

McClenaghan of Newtownards, Co Down, who has also competed for Northern Ireland, is a European and Commonwealth Pommel Horse Champion.

Lord Diljit Singh Rana, one of Northern Ireland’s leading hoteliers, received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to the economy and business in Northern Ireland.

Amanda McNamee, Head of Lagan College Integrated School in Belfast received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to education.

Jonathan McMillen, an executive officer with the Northern Communities Department, who works with the Syrian refugee project in Northern Ireland, received a BEM for refugee services.

Karen McDowell, a member of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, was named an MBE for her services to the Northern Fire and Rescue Service and the LGBTQ community.

Ms McDowell, a Dromore station commander in Co Down, transgender while working in the service and working to promote greater acceptance of transgender people.

Fiona Chamberlain, former Crown Attorney for Northern Ireland, received a CB (Order of the Bath), for public service, as did Derek Baker, permanent secretary of the Northern Department of Education.

David Lindsay, Lord-Lieutenant of Co Down, was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

The North’s chief social worker, Sean Holland, received a CBE.