In Memory Of

CORDEN-LLOYD, IAN DOUGLAS

Service Details
Age:
 39
Date of Birth:
 1938-05-27
Service No:
 P/457134
Rank:
 Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment:
 Royal Green Jackets
Date of Death:
 1978-02-17
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, in Northern Ireland, a Green Jackets observation post deployed around the village of Jonesborough began to take heavy fire from the "March Wall", which drew parallel to the border with the Republic of Ireland to the east, along the Dromad woods. The soldiers returned fire, but the short distance to the border and the open ground prevented them from advancing. Corden-Lloyd, as commanding officer, along with Captain Philip Schofield and Sergeant Ives flew in a Gazelle helicopter from the base at Bessbrook Mill to assess the situation and provide information to the troops. While hovering over the scene of the engagement, the aircraft came under fire from the IRA. The pilot lost control of the aircraft during a turn at high speed to avoid the ground fire. The helicopter hit a wall and crashed on a field, some 2,000 meters from Jonesborough. Corden-Lloyd was killed instantly, while the other two passengers were wounded.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 MI/117
Cemetery:
 WINCHESTER (MAGDALEN HILL) CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Hampshire
Country:
 United Kingdom
Additional Information
Decorations:
 O B E, M C, Mentioned in Despatches
Citations:
 OBE LG Sup 31 December 1976 - "New Years Honours", MC LG 15 December 1972 - "In recognition of distinguished service in Northern Ireland during the period 1 August 1971 to 31 October 1971", MID LG Sup 19 September 1978 - "In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Northern Ireland"
Son of Mr. Ronald and Mrs. Lorna Mary Corden-Lloyd. He was married with three sons at the time of his death. Of Durban, South Africa. Educated at Hilton College, Natal from 1951 to 1956. Corden-Lloyd was commissioned into the 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles, later transferring to the Royal Green Jackets. He was subsequently seconded to the SAS. In 1971, Corden-Lloyd took part in Operation Demetrius. He was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in Northern Ireland in 1972, although at the time the details of his action were not published for security reasons. He became commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets in 1976. That same year he was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (military). One of the highest ranking soldiers to die during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.