Norma Spence
Royal Ulster Constabulary
Roll of Honour Citation
Shot dead by terrorists while operating the security checkpoint near St. Anne's Cathedral, in Lower Donegall Street, close to Belfast city centre.
Roll of Honour Citation
Shot dead by terrorists while operating the security checkpoint near St. Anne's Cathedral, in Lower Donegall Street, close to Belfast city centre.
Circumstances
Norma Spence, 25yrs, civilian searcher, was shot by the IRA together with a soldier, Trooper James Nowasad, 21yrs, in what were to become known as the "Rag Day Killings". They were operating the security checkpoint close to St Anne's Cathedral, in Lower Donegall Street close to Belfast city centre. Four IRA gunmen wearing costumes, mingled with students throwing flour as they approached the checkpoint. Norma, unarmed, tried to run after the gunmen shot Trooper Nowasad, but the gunman shot her 3 times in the back. The terrorists escaped in a blue Mazda car as other soldiers returned fire.
Norma's brother was due to marry the following day and following a shortened ceremony, the wedding reception and honeymoon were cancelled as the groom left to arrange his sister's funeral. When the funeral took place 2,000 students from Queen's University marched to Belfast City Hall in a silent protest against the killings.
Shot dead by terrorists, alongside a soldier, in what was to become known as the “Rag Day Killings”. They were operating the security checkpoint near St. Anne’s Cathedral, in Lower Donegall Street, close to Belfast city centre, when four terrorist gunmen wearing costumes and mingling with students throwing flour, approached the checkpoint and shot the trooper. Norma, who was unarmed, tried to run but one of the gunmen shot her three times in the back. The gunmen escaped in a blue Mazda car as other soldiers returned fire.
