ON THIS DAY IN 1984, CORBYN'S MATES...

The Provisional IRA murdered an off duty soldier in County Armagh.  Private David Chambers was a part-time member of the Ulster Defence Regiment and also worked as a foreman in a factory near Lurgan, his hometown.  He was ambushed on his way to work by two IRA gunman who were laying in wait behind a hedge near the factory.  The terrorists knocked Pte Chambers off his motorbike with a shotgun blast and as he lay injured on the ground shot him a further four times.

The attackers were not finished after they had killed Pte Chambers.  Before fleeing they primed a 200lb bomb designed to kill members of the security forces when they arrived at the scene.  Miraculously the bomb failed to inflict loss of life, despite a bus full of children passing by as it exploded.  Several elderly residents were treated for shock and two policemen and a soldier were injured.  One of the factory workers described the attackers as "Satan's agents".

Pte Chambers' wife worked in the same factory as a packer, but was at home at the time of her husband's murder.  She told reporters she was "absolutely shattered".  The couple had two children together and were due to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary the following day.  34-year-old Pte Chambers had been a member of the UDR for seven years and served in the 11th Battalion.

Two Lurgan men were later sentenced for life for his murder.

Private David Chambers