Private Fred McShane

Private Fred McShane, from Liverpool, served as part of a 3 man mortar crew in 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.

He took part in acclimatisation training and field firing at Bundase, Ghana, in 1971 which culminated in a first-light battalion attack exercise, firing live ammunition and supported by the mortars and the Machine Gun Platoon.

This exercise went well but as the final mortar serial was being fired, one of the mortars exploded killing Ptes Mick Mason and Gerry Hartigan.

Fred McShane was the third crew member, and received serious blast injuries to his stomach but survived.