After failing to wrest the leadership of the PPP from Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, with the active support of the British Colonial Office and the American CIA, split from the PPP to form his own faction of the PPP. Burnham's faction of the PPP was repeatedly trounced in elections, by Jagan's faction.

Burnham joined forces with local reactionary forces, such as the League of Colored People, to form the PNC. He then formed an illegal Security Force (comprising ex and serving military personnel), and unleashed a wave of terror which resulted in racial riots.

Burnham, described by the British as a racist and demagogue "intent only on personal power", eventually achieved his desire of becoming Head of Government. The price Guyana paid was untold suffering (rape, robbery, looting and murder, followed by dictatorship) resulting in a legacy of racial strife and distrust.

Plan X13 was the vehicle of terror Burnham used to achieve his personal desire, at the expense of the people.

Prelude:    1. Observation (by Supt. P Britton)

                      2. Report (partial) of Supt. P Britton expressing opinion there was evidence to                        support a charge of conspiracy (against Burnham, Green and Dr Reid)

Chronology of Terrorism                                                           Close this window

April 1963: PNC establishes Security Force to commit sabotage and provide military training

May 1963: Burnham and Green decide at meeting to use explosives on all government buildings; viz                Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Government Produce Depot (GMC), and Rice Marketing Board

May 1963: Burnham asks Williams to find a person to blow up the Rice Marketing Board

May 1963: PNC sends Edward Van Genderen to New York to learn to make bombs

June 1963: Burnham pays an advance to Hunte, to bomb the Rice Marketing Board

June 1963: Attempt to bomb wharf at Rice Marketing Board is unsuccessful

June 1963: Clement Thompson given the job to bomb the MV Makouria (Georgetown Ferry)

June 1963: Doren Cinema at Vlissengen Road set on fire

June 1963: MV Makouria is bombed

June 1963: The Ministry of Home Affairs is bombed

June 1963: The Ministry of Labor, Health & Housing is bombed

June 1963: Housing and Planning building is bombed

June 1963: Explosives placed at Education Department building

June 1963: Housing and Planning building fire-bombed

July 1963: PNC carries out campaign of closing business places and beating people

July 1963: Attempt to dynamite cake shop at corner of Camp & D'Urban Streets unsuccessful

July 1963: Burnham sends ultimatum to Jagan to resign (or face full scale Civil War)

July 1963: Grenade explosion damages house of Seepaul of 80 Croal Street

July 1963: Army and Police foil planned attack on East Indians in Ruimveldt Housing Scheme

July 1963: PNC Youth Org executive bombs house of K Kowlessar of 614 East Ruimveldt

July 1963: House of PPP supporter James Lawson, of Ruimveldt, is bombed

July 1963: House of Rahaman of Evans and Russell Streets is bombed

July 1963: Richard Ishmael (TUC) and Hamilton Green employs Thompson to bomb power pole

July 1963: Aqueducts bombed at Mocha and Herstelling (EBD)

July 1963: Burnham attempts to obtain grenades, sten guns and ammunition from BG Volunteer Force

July 1963: Richard Ishmael organizes bombing of Rice Marketing Board

Aug 1963: Plan to bomb Russian Ship

Aug 1963: Plan to blow up the Government Petrol Tanks at Kingston

OBSERVATION (by Supt. P Britton)

This organization (PNC X13 Security Force) which is backed by a trade Union representative and political leaders, has resorted to acts of sabotage and terrorism. It is paving the way for the overthrow of the democratically elected Government by force and it should be considered as a security target of great importance if the democratically elected Government should be given the protection and security of governing for the period it should be in office.

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Report (partial) of Supt. P Britton expressing opinion there was evidence to support a charge of conspiracy against:
(PNC) Forbes Burnham, Hamilton Green, Dr. Ptolemy Reid, and Llewellyn John, and
(TUC) Richard Ishmael and Basil Blair, and Claude Graham (Deputy Superintendent of Police)

POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Eve Leary
11th September, 1963.
Assistant Commissioner of Crime,

I have investigated nineteen reports of crimes which occurred between the 8th June, 1963 and 21st July, 1963 which include placing explosives to building, destroying building with explosives and arson. I am of the opinion that there is evidence to support a charge of conspiracy, contrary to section 34 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Ordinance, Chapter 10. The following persons are involved in the crime:-

Claude Graham of Perseverance, E.C.D.
L.F.S. Burnham, of A183 Robins Place, East Bel Air Park.
Hamilton Green of 58 Howes St., Charlestown.
Ivan Williams of 312 East Ruimveldt.
Nabo Hunte of 85 Murray St., Georgetown.
Vibart King of 237 Alexander St., Lacytown.
John Aleinder of 2A Queens Street, Cummingsburg.
John Henry Thijis of 75 Costello House, La Penitence.
Samuel Hamilton called Big Uncle of Golden Grove.
Leslie Lawson of Anns Grove, E.B.D.
Sidney Ifill of 138 Garnett St., Newtown, Kitty.
Maurice Edinboro of Lodge Village.
Herman Cobenna of Kitty.
Rupert Smith of 140 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
Llewellyn John of 65 Church Road & David St., Subryanville.
Dr. Ptolemy Reid of 18/12 bel Air Park East.
Royden Field Ridley of Hadfield St.
Gordon Parris of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
Richard Ishmael of 211 Camp &New Market Streets.
Michael Dorne of 345 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
Charles Nedd of 345 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
One Williams of Alexander Village, East Bank Demerara.
Patrick Gill of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.
William Carto of 204 New Market St., Georgetown.
Basil Blair of KK Hadfield St., Wortmanville.
and other persons whose identities are known.

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April 1963: PNC establishes Security Force to commit sabotage and provide military training

On 1st April, 1963 the People's National Congress established a Security force with six xxxxx party members. Claude Graham, ex-Deputy Superintendent of Police, is the Head and Edward Van Genderen is the Deputy Head. The Force would be established all over the country with individual groups and members attached to each party group. The main functions are:-

* To collect all types of information.

* To screen Party Executives, employees and activists.

* To organise gangs to commit sabotage in times of tension and to counter movement to the Progressive Youth Organisation.

* To protect People's National Congress executives and other Party personalities.

* To train their members in the use of arms, such as shot guns pistols and rifles which would be most needed in the event of a civil war.

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May 1963: Burnham and Green decide at meeting to use explosives on all government buildings; viz Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Government Produce Depot (GMC), and Rice Marketing Board          

One day during the month of May, 1963, a meting was held at Congress Place between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. by the L.F.S. Burnham, Claude Graham and Hamilton Green. At the meeting it was decided to use explosives on all Government buildings, the latter being the Government Ferry Stelling and the Government Produce Depot, Lombard Street. This decision was taken in order to:-

* put all the Ministries out of compliance;

* to prevent the sale of foreign goods at the Government Produce Depot which would bring revenue to the country;

* to forestall the plans of the Hon. E.M.G. Wilson who caused the Ferry Boat to operate;

* to destroy the premises of the Rice Marketing Board and the entire stock of rice equipment in order to stall the progress of the rice industry.

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May 1963: Burnham asks Williams to find a person to blow up the Rice Marketing Board

Following an executive meeting of the party held in May 1963, L.F.S. Burnham asked Ivan Williams to get a good man employed at the Rice Marketing Board for him to blow up the Rice Marketing Board. Ivan Williams enquired and was directed to Norbert Hunte or Naboth Junte of 301 East Ruimveldt who was employee of the Rice Marketing Board.

Ivan Williams and Rupert Smith went to Hunte, told him what he wanted to do and he agreed. That evening they took him to the office of Clarke & Martin where he (HUNTE) met L.F.S. Burnham. Hunte was instructed by L.F.S. Burnham to go back to work regularly and he would give him (HUNTE) explosives to carry to the Rice Marketing Board to destroy the place. He agreed to do the job and was offered $400 - by L.F.S. Burnham. He went back to work as instructed.

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May 1963: PNC sends Edward Genderen to New York to learn to make bombs

On 31st May, 1963, Edward Van Genderen left British Guiana for Paramaribo. L.F.S. Burnham later told a trusted party member that Van Genderen had left for New York via Paramaribo for the purpose of learning to make bombs to be used by the party. His expenses were paid by the party. The amount of $3,000 - was taken from Collection at Congress. A group of P.N.C. Supporters in New York will contribute towards his stay there.

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June 1963: Burnham pays an advance to Hunte, to bomb the Rice Marketing Board

On 8th June, 1963, at about 6.15 p.m. Hunte received from L.F.S. Burnham $46:- as an advance to do the job at the Rice Marketing Board. At 6.30 p.m. on the 8th June, 1963, Hamilton Green and Claude Graham gave Hunte explosives in a hand bag rom the stock they had at Clarke & Martin to carry out the mission of destroying the Rice Marketing Board. After receiving the explosive, Hunte went to the house of Rev. Trotman's at Breda Street.

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June 1963: Attempt to bomb wharf at Rice Marketing Board is unsuccessful

Between 7.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on June 1963 Clement Thompson, King and Big Uncle went at the Union Hall and removed two bags with explosives to Rahaman's Sawmill wharf. They boarded the boat Parakeet and went under the wharf with the explosives. There the charges were set by King who climbed on the shoulders of Big Uncle to reach the spots where they placed them. They lighted the fuses while Clement Thompson looked on. There was some trouble to get them lighted and the matches got wet. Thompson went to Rahaman's Sawmill, got matches and went back to them where they lighted the fuses. After that they left, leaving one of the hand bags behind. The following day Clement Thompson went back under the wharf to steal rice and saw the charges there.

On the 10th June, 1963 seventy nine sticks of dynamite were found at the Rice Marketing Board with safety fuses, also a handbag which Hunte had left with. Following this, L.F.S. Burnham said that Hunte had sold them out and it was a good thing that he was not paid the full amount.

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June 1963: Clement Thompson given the job to bomb the MV Makouria (Georgetown Ferry)

On 19th June, 1963, Clement Thompson was given the job to sink the ship Makouria by putting explosive charges at the stern and the bow. He was given money to go across the ferry and survey the ship and the stelling area. He did so, but to undertake the job successfully he would have to do some diving and he decided not to take the job. He was offered a bonus and $25:- per week. He was offered the job by John Henry Thijis of Costello House, La Penitence

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June 1963: Doren Cinema at Vlissengen Road set on fire

On 21st June, 1963, the Doren Cinema at Vlissengen Road was set on fire by the son of Aleinder and two brothers from Alberttown. Their names and exact address were not obtained.

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June 1963: MV Makouria is bombed

On 22nd June, 1963, Claude Graham instructed two of the saboteurs of the party to use explosive on the ship Makouria or the gantry of the Georgetown stelling. Arrangements were made by Maurice Edinboro, a clerk at Transport & Harbors Dept., with a watchman at the Ferry Stelling to allow the saboteurs to enter the stelling to do the job. The to men were given $2:- each to be used to buy tickets to cross the ferry boat in case there was any suspicion while they were at the stelling.

At 4.30 p.m. on 23rd June, 1963, the two men left Congress Place with explosive to carry out the operation. They were to put six sticks of dynamite on the bow of the ship and six sticks on the stern, but if they felt that they could not manage that, they were to destroy the gantry. They traveled by bicycle to the stelling and gained entry. They set twelve sticks of dynamite on the stelling and exploded the charges which damaged the electrical mechanism of the gantry and a portion of the stelling. One man known as Uncle escaped before the explosion while the other man remained on the enclosure at the stelling and later made his escape without being arrested. The name of this man was given as Leslie Lawson. Later in the morning of the 23rd June, 1963, Clement Thompson and the other members of the organisation attend the celebration of the success of the job at Belvedere Hotel.

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June 1963: The Ministry of Home Affairs is bombed

On 23rd June, 1963 decision was taken to destroy the Ministry of Home Affairs at Brickdam and the Ministry of Labor, Health & Housing at Brickdam. According to the plan the timings were-

Ministry of Health & Housing - 7.30 p.m.

Ministry of Home Affairs between 7.30 and 9.00 p.m.

On 23rd June, 1963, at 8.08 p.m. the Ministry of Home Affairs was attacked by two men, one being Uncle and the other Leslie Lawson. The attack was carried our from the back of the building as they had surveyed the place before and walked from Croal Street to the building. Explosives were successfully used and part of the building was destroyed. Leslie Lawson and Ernest Robinson were later arrested and charged. The case against Robinson was later withdrawn.

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June 1963: The Ministry of Labor, Health & Housing is bombed

At 8.40 a.m. 23rd June, 1963, four men with Claude Graham carried out the attack on the Ministry of Labor, Health & Housing. They had been driven by Herman Cobenna in the partner's Jeep, PK 308 to a point opposite the 'Palms' where the five men left with explosives to destroy the building. Four men attacked the watchman and tried to bound him. They later set two charges of dynamite on the southern side of the building which were detonated, causing damage to the building. Graham who was at the front gate, spoke to the watchman from the Geological Survey Dept., telling him that he had seen the men leave by the back gate. They had taken a box into the yard and had left it there. After the explosion the men drove away in the jeep to the home of Hyacinth Goddett where Graham was paid. Graham gave Cobenna $25:- of the amount he received. Later Claude Graham and Leslie Lawson were arrested and charged in relation to this crime.

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June 1963:Housing and Planning building is bombed

On 24th June, 1963, L.F.S. Burnham enquired to find out where the records for the Housing and Planning Dept. were kept as he learnt that ejectment and levy warrants were being used against persons occupying houses in Ruimveldt Housing Scheme. He sought means of evading the actions to be taken against the people. At 3.45 p.m. the very day the Housing and Planning building at Waterloo & New m Market Streets was damaged by explosives. The Act was carried out by the son of Aleinder who lives at the back of Majeed's Store and the two brothers from Alberttown whose names and addresses were not obtained.

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June 1963: Explosives placed at Education Department building

On 25th June, 1963, L.F.S. Burnham tried to obtain hand grenades to be used for destruction purposes as the explosives were not causing enough damage. It was suggested by him that grenades should be obtained from the Volunteer Force and other weapons from the Police force. On the same day explosive was set at the Education Department building by the son of Aleinder and the two men from Alberttown.

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June 1963: Housing and Planning building fire-bombed

On 1st July, 1963, incendiary bomb set fire to the Housing and Planning building at Waterloo & New Market Streets. No information was received of the person who did this.

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July 1963: PNC carries out campaign of closing business places and beating people

On 2nd July, 1963, at 9.30 a.m. Llewellyn John Solicitor and Assistant General Secretary of the P.N.C., held a meeting at Stabroek House, Croal Street. The following persons were present - Maurice Edinboro, Roy Field and Rupert Smith. John disclosed that Mr. Williams the Trades Union Council representative form the United Kingdom had said that he had seen everything going normal, the Govt. had recently reported as increase in Finance from trade and only Civil Servants were showing resistance to the Govt. John then said that since that was the case the Party would show its strength. He instructed that people be organised in teams to carry out the campaign of closing business places and beating people. He emphasised that no sentiment must be taken in.

 Following this meeting, campaigns of hooliganism were carried out in Georgetown and the East Bank Demerara. Several persons were beaten. The campaigns were to be carried out until L.F.S. Burnham informed the organisers to call them off. The campaign lasted until July 1963.

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July 1963: Attempt to dynamite cake shop at corner of Camp & D'Urban Streets unsuccessful

On 3rd July, 1963, Rudolph Fritt received instructions from members of this organisation to dynamite the cake shop at the corer of Camp & D'Urban Streets. He went there to do so in company with two others, but was unable to carry out the mission.

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July 1963: Burnham sends ultimatum to Jagan to resign (or face full scale Civil War)

On 3rd July, 1963, L.F.S. Burnham sent an ultimatum to Dr. Jagan calling on him to resign within forty-eight hours. Following this he had told one of the members of the Security Force that it would be full scale Civil War. He had already made contact with Sydney King who had promised full support.

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July 1963: Grenade explosion damages house of Seepaul of 80 Croal Street

The same day, 3rd July, 1963, a home made grenade was thrown in the house of Seepaul of 80 Croal St., which exploded and caused some damage to the house and furniture. No one was injured. This act was done by a member of the P.N.C. Youth Organisation who had ridden to the house in company with another man and left after retrieving his bicycle some way off. In this case the attacker was given order by Ivan Williams to shoot his way out if possible.

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July 1963: Army and Police foil planned attack on East Indians in Ruimveldt Housing Scheme

On the night of 3rd July, 1963, members of the organisation at Ruimveldt Housing Scheme would have attacked East Indians there, as they had planned, but for the vigil of the army and the Police the plan was foiled.

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July 1963: PNC Youth Org executive bombs house of K Kowlessar of 614 East Ruimveldt

On 5th July, 1963, at 8.55 p.m., one Parris, who is employed at Clarke & Martin, threw a home made bomb at the house of Kenneth Kowlessar of 614 East Ruimveldt. He obtained the bomb form Anthony Phillippe of 4 West Ruimveldt. Parris is an executive member of the PNC Youth Organisation. He carried out the raid without the sanction of the executives of the organisation or the party. He bombed the house because Kowlessar had spoken in favor of Dr. Jagan on the strike situation.

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July 1963: House of PPP supporter James Lawson, of Ruimveldt, is bombed

Plans were also made by Parris, Charles Nedd and two others to destroy House 17 at East Ruimveldt, Apt. 639 of West Ruimveldt and the Shop owned by the occupier (James Lawson) of Apt. 639 West Ruimveldt. The reasons for these planned attacks were-

The owner of House 17 East Ruimveldt is supposed to be strong arms for the PPP and keeps P.Y.O. meetings in the house.

The wife of James Lawson, the Occupier of Apt. 639 gave statement to the Police in relation to a case of assault. The date fixed for the attack was the 7th or 8th July, 1963, but there should have been a discussion on the 7th July, 1963, to finalize the plan. They intended to cover the operation by setting fire to the canes in Ruimveldt before setting the explosive.

Attorney Phillipe would have supplied the explosive as it was claimed that he was getting the explosive through the United Force.

On 9th July, 1963 King was injured when he was preparing explosives to go on a mission. This occurred in a house occupied by the two brothers in Alberttown. After the incident, Babb, Richard Ishmael, Basil Blair and Carto went out in cars to search for King as he did not go to the Hospital. He was found but was unable to take part in any operations then.

On the 11th July, 1963, at 7.55 p.m. Michael Dorne of 345 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme told a trusty Party Member that the organization was acting too slowly; the boys were going to work on Apartment 639 after midnight the same night.. At the time Parris was there with a lady's cycle and a brown pullover. One Williams of East Ruimveldt and another member of the Youth Organisation who drives John Carter's car were present. Dorne had mentioned that he had collected some things from Llewelyn John. The wife of the occupier of Apt 639 had been working against the boys as she was working with the Police. Anyone who was going against them must be destroyed, even if the person was a brother.

Apartment 639 was bombed at 9.00 a.m. of the 11th July, 1963. Damage was done to glass windows and the interior of the house. No one was injured. Constable 6302 Lyte arrested a man who pulled himself away and fired a shot at the constable which missed him. A man escaped leaving a bicycle and a pullover on the cycle. It was later disclosed that a town constable John is the man who was armed with the revolver. Micahel Dorne and Parris were armed with a bomb each. Charles Nedd and Williams were the look-out men. Williams had a long sleeved jersey over his shoulder before the attack was carried out and he was in possession of a bicycle.

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July 1963: House of Rahaman of Evans and Russell Streets is bombed

On 10th July, 1963, at 1.35 a.m. the following persons carried out a raid on the house of Rahaman of Evans and Russell Sts., with a hand Grenade:-
Parris of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
Michael Dorne of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
The man known as UNCLE of Congress Place.
The raid was successful. Damage was done to the building and furniture. One occupant of the house was severely injured.

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July 1963: Richard Ishmael (TUC) and Hamilton Green employs Thompson to bomb power pole

On 10th or 11th July, 1963, Richard Ishmael offered Clement Thompson $60:- to place four sticks of blasting gelatin with fuse on a power pole at Bel Air. Richard Ishmael and Hamilton Green took him to the spot at 7.30 p.m., showed him the pole and told him to do the job at 10.00 p.m., when the watchman went to clock in. They took him to Belvedere Hotel with the car they had traveled in. At the Hotel he ate two chickens in the rough and he was given $20:- in advance. He later threw away the explosives and told Richard Ishmael that he had gone to the place but found policemen there, he could not do the job so he got rid of the explosives.

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July 1963: Aqueducts bombed at Mocha and Herstelling (EBD)

On 10th July, 1963, at 5.00 a.m. explosives were set on aqueducts at Mocha and Herstelling which caused some damage. Dorne had said that one Gill, of Bagotstown was responsible for the operation but the men who actually carried out the attack are unknown. The attack was carried out because Sandbach Parker did not support the strike movement.

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July 1963: Burnham attempts to obtain grenades, sten guns and ammunition from B.G. Volunteer Force

L.F.S. Burnham had planned to hold a meeting with certain members of the Volunteer Force at the office of Clarke & Martin on 21st July, 1963, for the purpose of arranging to get arms as it was alleged that the PPP had arms and they were still getting arms.

On 21st July, 1963, at 10.07 a.m. L.F.S. Burnham met Arthur Forde, Warrant Officer of the B.G. Volunteer Force at his office at Clarke & Martin, Brickdam. At the meeting L.F.S. Burnham told Forde that the people were not xxxxx a good cause. Forde told him that he had no control over arms because he was demobilised. He promised to give the names of the men who had control over the vaults. A trusted party member was then told that he would be responsible to make contact with the men in order to get hand grenades, sten guns, rifles and ammunition.

At 10.45 a.m. that day Forde and the member went to the Volunteers' Mess at Eve Leary. At the Sergeants' Mess, Forde pointed out Staff Sergeant Peters of Austin Street, Campbellville and one Pilgrim of Lying Street, Charlestown. The member was instructed to work on these two men in order to get them to meet L.F.S. Burnham. The men were also introduced to six other members of the Volunteer Force.

On 24th July, 1963, at 8.40 a.m. Peters, a Staff Sergeant of Austin Street, Campbellville, went to the office of L.F.S. Burnham at Clarke & Martin.

The Staff Sergeant who was questioned by L.F.S. Burnham said that he was permanently employed with the Volunteer Force; he was a supporter of the PNC. He was in charge of arms. The Volunteer Force had 600 men, more than 600 rifles, 80 sten guns and 60 bren guns. He was not responsible for hand grenades and he did not know how many were in stock. It was difficult for him to obtain any arms from the stock as checks are made twice per month and no notice was given before checking. Two persons usually worked in the vault and collected the key form the police, who ever was on duty at Eve Leary and signed for it. Requisition Forms had to be signed before anything was removed from the vault. Persons losing ammunition would be court marshalled and might be defended by Counsel but if found guilty will be imprisoned. The magazine at Kelly Dam was watched by an ex serviceman who lived on the premises and had access to the key which was lodged with the police, but he was not permitted to go to the vault alone. L.F.S. Burnham instructed a member to check with the ex serviceman and the police to find out what was kept in the vault and who kept the key for the vault.

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July 1963: Richard Ishmael organizes bombing of Rice Marketing Board

On 21st July, 1963, at about 9.45 a.m. charges of dynamite were set at the Rice Marketing Board exploded. The explosion caused damage to the premises. No one was injured. Clement Thompson had later confessed to his sister, Margaret that he and Malcolm Williams, known as Joe Younge had done the act. He was offered $300:- for the job but he was only being paid $25:- per week by Richard Ishmael. The gang of sabateurs of which he was a member was organised by Richard Ishmael. Peter D'Aguiar and L.F.S. Burnham and included one King of 237 Alexander Street, Lacytown and about six Policemen.

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Aug 1963: Plan to bomb Russian Ship

On August 3, 1963, at 2.30 p.m. Carto met Clement Thompson at Belvedere Hotel and told him that he wanted to blow up the Russian ship which was in port at the B.G. Rice Marketing Board. Carto has said that he wanted the job to be done on the Friday night before. Clement Thompson told him that it was a difficult operation. Carto told him that he had a diving suit and would give him to do the job. He offered Thompson $400:- to do the job with $100:- as bonus. Thompson received $25:- and Joe Young (Malcolm Williams) received $25:- as advance. On the night of August 3, 1963 Joe Young could not be found. Carto and King went to Thompson at Agricola, took him to Bagotstown, and showed him the house of Gill. Carto told him that he would get the explosive from Gill. He went to the house of Gill. Gill gave him a loaded pistol. Another man whose name he does not know was resent and Gill gave him a loaded pistol too. At the house there was large biscuit tins with 500 sticks of blasting gelatin in it. There was a watch to time the explosion and it was timed for 3 a.m. on August 4, 1963. The tin with the explosive was to be anchored by the engine room of the ship. An anchor and rope was provided. The charge would have to be set about two inches under the ship in the river. Thompson was shown how to connect the device.

A boat was stolen at Bagotstown to travel to Georgetown to attack the ship. Thompson went home to Agricola and did not go to take part in the operation as planned. He had told the other man to stay away too. This man had receive $10:- from King. While he was home at 4.30 a.m. on August 4, 1963, King went to him and told him that he started to celebrate too early. He had been awake at 3.00 a.m. He did not hear the explosion so he had gone to find out what was the cause. Thompson then told him that the Police was on his trail so he could not go. He (King) carried him to the house of Gill in car PE 71 driven by a man who is unknown to him (Thompson). A lad was in the car with him. They had a quarrel because Joe Young had not turned up as arranged. King had told him that he did not want the owner of the car to know that he had gone there. He returned the pistol to King who collected the other one from Gill. King left at 4.50 a.m. saying that another car would go for the explosive at Gill's house at daylight. After this incident, King told him that the owner of the car was questioned by the Police. He then said that the chauffeur got to know too much about the transaction so that they would have to bump him off to prevent the information from leaking out.

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Aug 1963: Plan to blow up the Government Petrol Tanks at Kingston

On August 4, 1963, at 5.00 a.m. when Clement Thompson was at home, he confessed to his sister Margaret that the men wanted him to blow up the Government Petrol Tanks at Kingston, but he refused to do the job although he had been assured that the flaming Petrol would be drifter out to the sea with the falling tide and it would not have caused damaged to Kingston area. The attack was planned to be carried out from the river and shears would be provided to cut the wire fence to gain entrance and exit

TO BE CONTINUED