| Citation: | Northern Ireland. Citation: On 27th June 1970, Lance Corporal Eastham was a member of an unarmed military police patrol ordered to the Ardoyne area of Belfast. On arrival the patrol found that troops had erected road blocks across which was considerable small arms fire. The patrol moved forward through the road block with the intention of identifying and, if possible arresting gunmen.As there was a disorderly crowd in a neighbouring street, Lance Corporal Eastham and his Sergeant walked towards them; even though bullets fired from side streets were ricochetting off the walls on either side. As they reached their objective a civilian ran past, stopped and looked around. At that moment Lance Corporal Eastham heard a humming whistling sound close to his head followed by a loud slap. The civilian fell to the pavement, wounded.The section Sergeant obtained assistance and carried the wounded civilian out of the line of fire. Lance Corporal Eastham went back to seek medical assistance and seeing an Army ambulance coming towards him he signalled the driver to stop, but the vehicle came to a halt in the direct line of fire from another street. Despite the continuing fire across the road, Lance Corporal Eastham ran to the ambulance to tell the driver to move; but as he opened the door a bullet struck the driver in the jaw. Lance Corporal Eastham forced the driver down across the seats and gave him a dressing which the driver wound round his jaw. The driver, however insisted on remaining at the wheel of his vehicle, so Lance Corporal Eastham directed him out of the line of fire.Although only eighteen and a half years old Lance Corporal Eastham behaved under fire with all the coolness and resolution of a seasoned soldier. Unarmed and wearing no protective clothing he exposed himself to the greatest danger in order to carry out his duty and help others. |
