Barracks for 12 Platoon (Drums), and a section of 10 Platoon, was a location known as 'The Hump' VCP (vehicle check point). This was on the border of the Republic of Ireland near the town of Strabane.

At about 06.45 hours on the 22nd February 1974 they came under fire from IRA gunmen located at the Inter Counties Hotel. Just as a soldier identified the firing point the position was hit by two mortar bombs.

They engaged the enemy with the General Purpose machine gun which had a stoppage so the gun number 2 engaged the target with his rifle until the stoppage was cleared.

Other members of the team engaged the target while the section commanders attempted to rearrange the gun positions as 30 mortar bombs fell (14 failed to explode). 400 rounds of ammunition had also been fired at it, but only two bombs caused damage, one to the factory building to the rear of the hump and one to an occupied gipsy caravan.

There were 8 people sleeping in the caravan so it is remarkable that no one was injured.

Our force returned 474 GPMG and 54 rounds of SLR. A report later indicated that at least one terrorist was hit, which was later confirmed when it was established that one gunman’s leg was amputated.

The engagement lasted for 45 minutes. Cpl Gill was later awarded the Military Medal.