Birmingham pub bombings: victims' families urge city 'not to forget'
This week marks 50 years since 21 people were killed in two blasts in the city centre
Last updated 18th Nov 2024
Families of victims of the Birmingham pub bombings said they fear the city is in danger of forgetting the atrocity, 50 years on.
On the 21st November 1974, the Mulberry Bush pub and the Tavern in the Town were bombed in an attack, believed to have been carried out by the Provisional IRA, leaving 21 people dead and 220 injured.
The bombings remain the largest unsolved mass murder in modern British history.
Ahead of the 50th milestone, relatives of the 21 people who were killed have told us they hope the city will never forget the people it lost that night, and the impact it had on hundreds more.
John Clifford Jones, known as Cliff, was a postman at New Street station and frequently visited the Mulberry Bush pub after work with colleagues.
He died in the blast, following his first night back at work after two weeks annual leave.
Cliff's son, George, told us: "It's incredibly important as a city, that we recognise and remember what happened. And also the recognition that we've been able to move on from it to some extent, and our relations with the Irish community."
Paul Bridgewater's dad, Paul Davies, was walking past the Mulberry Bush with his friend Neil Marsh. The pair, aged 17 and 16, were killed when the bomb went off.
Paul said: "A lot of the older generation will remember what happened, but a lot of the younger generation don't.
"It's part of Birmingham's history, people should be fully aware of it, it shouldn't just be washed away.
"People should be aware of this tragedy, especially when it hasn't been solved."
On Thursday, exactly 50 years since the pub bombings, a memorial service will be held outside New Street station next to the tree memorial sculpture for the victims. A minute silence will be observed at 2pm.
The event has been organised by the Birmingham Irish Association. Chief executive Maurice Malone told us: "It's important that Birmingham, even though it's 50 years ago, for some people like the relatives it probably feels like yesterday, and that can never be forgotten.
"We're hoping everyone in the city will stop at 2pm on the 21st, and pause, and just reflect on what happened."
Our podcast series - No Justice: The Birmingham Pub Bombings at 50 - is available to listen to now.