City to mark 50 years since the Birmingham pub bombings

On this day, in 1974, two bombs went off in the city centre killing 21 innocent people

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 21st Nov 2024

Fifty years ago today, on the 21st November 1974, the biggest unsolved mass murder in British history took place in Birmingham.

The Mulberry Bush pub and the Tavern in the Town were bombed in an attack by the Provisional IRA, leaving 21 people dead and 220 injured.

Six men, who became known as the Birmingham Six, were jailed for more than 16 years, after being wrongly convicted of carrying out the attack.

In 1991, their convictions were quashed. To this day, the real bombers have never been brought to justice.

Today, the city will mark the 50th milestone with a number of memorial services.

The first will be held at New Street Station, next to the tree memorial which bears the names of the 21 victims.

The service, organised by the Birmingham Irish Association, is for invited guests only, with relatives, survivors, emergency service personnel and dignitaries in attendance.

A minute silence will be observed at 2pm to remember those who lost their lives.

The tree sculpture outside New Street station bears the names of the 21 victims

The annual cathedral service at St Philips will follow at 5pm, with prayers and hymns, led by the Bishop and Archbishop of Birmingham.

The service will be streamed on a screen outside for people to watch.

As well as the church service, the Library of Birmingham will be lit up this evening to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

Who were the victims of the pub bombings?

Seven women and 14 men died in the Birmingham pub bombings. Their names will be read out during today's service. We remember them:

Michael Beasley

Lynn Bennett

Stanley Bodman

James Caddick

Thomas Chaytor

James Craig

Paul Davies

Jane Davis

Charles Grey

Maxine Hambleton

Anne Hayes,

John "Cliff" Jones

Neil Marsh

Marilyn Nash

Pamela Palmer

Desmond Reilly

Eugene Reilly

Maureen Roberts

John Rowlands

Trevor Thrupp

Stephen Whalley

You can listen to our special podcast series - No Justice: The Birmingham Pub Bombings at 50 - now on the Rayo app.

Hear all the latest news from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk on Forth 1. Listen on FM, via the Rayo app, on DAB or on your smart speaker.