Terry "Griff" Griffin
I became involved in the Peace Centre in Warrington because my brother was killed on the M62 Coach Bomb on 4 February 1974. Terence (Griff as he was known by his friends) spent his last weekend on leave at our family home in Bolton with his friend Len. They had a happy weekend together with us all.....
Terence was a wonderful character with a great sense of humour. Terence and Len both left home on the Sunday evening to go to Manchester, Chorlton Street bus station to catch the bus back to Catterick Camp in Yorkshire.
Just after midnight my father heard a news flash on the radio that there had been an explosion on a coach but very little information was forthcoming at this stage. We waited all day for news; we kept listening to the news bulletins on the television hoping and praying that he would be safe. We were continuously ringing the telephone number that was given out but they could not tell us if Terence had survived.
After waiting over 17 long and arduous hours we were finally told that Terence had died. 12 people in total 2 of them little children, a whole family were killed and many more injured. To say we were devastated would be an understatement. We were all totally heartbroken. My lovely Mum and Dad and my two sisters were so completely overwhelmed and distraught with grief. We each have had to deal with our grief in our own personal way, but I will never, ever forget 4th February 1974 and what effect it has had personally on my life.
I would love to hear from anyone who knew Terence.
Mo
'I was proud to have served with Terry in Munsterlager, Germany, as a very young NIG.
'Terry took me under his wing, as he did with all of the soldiers under his command.
'Through time and respect, Terry nurtured us all into a cohesive team, each destined for their chosen career opportunities. He was there to lend a listening ear, take heed if you didn’t spectacularly fair and was willing to give a second chance.
'Terry was a credit to the Battery and the Regiment and was obviously destined to be a top flight Senior NCO or Officer Material. He would have gone far. He always gave more than he would take, do more than was expected of him, commanded respect when due and give compassion when required.
'Terry was always there. As a friend he was sincere. Spoke highly of his family . A proud Lancashire Lad, and a “Highly Respected Redneck”.
'On being promoted in 1974, Bombardier Terence Griffin was the first NCO to offer me his hand of congratulations. I truly appreciated his help and further guidance, and prior to Terry being sent on advance party to England, we enjoyed a good few drinks.
'Friends, namely Jezz Godden and Ian Fiddler, treated him more as a brother than as a mate.
'While travelling back from Germany on that fateful day via VC10 we were given the shocking news that Terry and Jezz had been... Killed... Gone. Never to return, not allowed to say our goodbyes.
'Terry was a “First Class Soldier”, and I was proud to have been a mate and to have been able to enjoy his company even if it was so brief.
'Terry you will never be forgotten.'
Chippy Wood
“C Troop” Redneck (1972-1978)
| Surname | GRIFFIN |
| Forenames/Initials | Terence |
| Rank | Bdr |
| Service | Army |
| Service Number | 24023491 |
| Regiment/Corps | RA |
| Place of Birth/Home Town | Bolton Lancs |
| Date of Birth | 20 May 1949 |
| Age | 24 |
| Date of Death | 04 February 1974 |
| Cemetery Name | B+E Tonge Cemetry |
| Cemetery Address | Bolton
CEMETERY ROAD
BOLTON
|
| Grave Section | B, R/C |
| Grave Row | 2 |
| Grave Number | 2 |
| Included on Armed Forces Memorial | Yes |
| Included on Roll of Honour | Yes |
