| Citation: | New Year Honours. 23514755 Staff Sergeant Patrick Joseph McQuillan, 173 Pro Coy. RMP. August 1969 - August 1970.Citation: Staff Sergeant McQuillan was a member of 173 (Northern Ireland) Provost Company when the rioting began in August 1969. From the outset he was committed to duties in Belfast in areas proscribed to the RUC. Working in appalling conditions, and constantly exposed to danger, he set a splendid example to his platoon, and to the RUC with whom they worked. Although unarmed, because he was acting in the civil police role, he showed a complete disregard for his own safety and both supervised and carried out patrols throughout areas where even heavily armed troops were not considered safe. His coolness and determination prevented trouble on numerous occasions and he himself was attacked on two separate occasions; at the junction of Hocker and Disraeli Street on 28th June 1970 and in the Springfield road on 3rd July 1970. On another occasion he was pinned own by sniper fire in the Lower Falls area. On all these occasions he behaved magnificently. Man situations, which would have developed into serious riots, were averted by his coolness, courage and determination. He worked extremely long hours and was invariably called out when major disorder occurred; but he continued to behave in the best traditions of the service, inspiring all with whom he came into contact with a sense of purpose and devotion to duty which was instrumental in maintaining the morale of the unit. At all times he showed understanding and compassion to those in need of help, earning the respect and gratitude of the innocent people caught up in the disorders. He contributed a tremendous amount towards a better understanding between ordinary people and the forces of law and order. Although, on occasions, sorely provoked and insulted he remained steadfast in his determination to show that law abiding people had nothing to fear from the security force and proved, once again, that the British soldier is often his country's best ambassador. His services should be recognised by an award.Recommended by: Lt. Col. APM HQ Northern Ireland. Maj. Gen. Chief of Staff, HQ Northern Ireland. Lt. Gen. General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland. |
