A PARATROOPERS JOURNEY

I was born just after World War II in Edinburgh, Scotland. I was raised in a large Catholic family and resided in a small mining town near the City of Edinburgh. People in the mid-1950s and 60s faced poverty and complicated lives, still relying on rations from World War II. In September 1968, I was nineteen and joined the Parachute Regiment. One year later, British paratroopers were deployed to help restore order in Northern Ireland. This was the beginning of a terrible operation known as 'The Troubles'. While in Belfast, I witnessed the killings of many people, both military and civilians. Almost five decades later, the High Court in Belfast, Northern Ireland, summoned me to give evidence at the Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest. My testimony was not only controversial but also damning for many of those involved. It was my intention, when appearing in court, to ensure the truth was heard. For too many years, loss of memory, denial, and lies had been told by UK and Irish politicians, ex-soldiers, and the Ministry of Defence. After serving just under 9 years and leaving military life behind, I was fortunate to find employment overseas with an American energy company, Halliburton. I would work for this company for nearly the next four decades. I travelled the world with my wife, Barbara, living and working in many different countries. Before retiring, I returned to the UK to take up the role of Country Manager of the UK and Southern Ireland for several large departments, including fracking, with a total workforce of over 750 employees. In 2008, I was appointed a director of Halliburton Company in the UK. I retired from full-time employment in 2014.

Pagina's: 354, Paperback, Matt Innes