HET Review Summary Report into the death of William Francis ...

• On the evening that Mr McGreanery was killed, he remembers
being sent to the observation post at Blighs Lane. He cannot recall
what time he arrived, but does remember he was with several
other members of his Battalion and it was the first time they had
been sent to that particular post. He knows that he and his
colleagues were briefed as to what had been happening in that area
over the preceding days and that they were told about the shooting
dead of Sergeant Carroll. They were also told about the rioting
that had been taking place. He cannot recall where the briefing
took place or who conducted it. Their role was often to lend shortterm
support to Battalions that were for one reason or another
short staffed and he thinks that was probably their role at Blighs
Lane.
• He remembered that it was dark when they arrived at Blighs Lane
but has no idea what time it was. He said he was told to join
another soldier in one of the sangers and he thinks the soldier who
was already there was from one of the Artillery Regiments. He had
never seen him before. The sanger was high up on a steep incline
overlooking a road junction that had a traffic island in the middle
of it. He estimated the sanger was around 300 yards from the
junction. He said he thinks there may have been some derelict
houses either at or very near to the junction. He said he had a
clear and unobstructed view of the road junction below, and
although it was dark outside, there was some street lighting around
the junction. He said the lighting gave off a yellow glow and
although visibility was not perfect, the area of the traffic island
and the immediate vicinity were illuminated. There were however,
many areas that were in shadow at either side of the junction.
• He said he was absolutely petrified. He could hear the occasional
sound of gunshots but did not think the shots were either aimed at
or from the Blights Lane observation post. He said he was being
especially vigilant because of what had happed in the area during
the day, particularly the shooting of the army Sergeant.
• He added he had little or no conversation with the other soldier.
He positioned himself on the side of the sanger that overlooked
the road junction only because the other soldier was already
covering the housing estate opposite. He said he had been there
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