Paddy Coyle: Battle of Bogside schoolboy dies

The Battle of the Bogside took place in Derry in August 1969.

Paddy Coyle was just 13 years old when he was photographed wearing a WWII gasmask and holding a petrol bomb at Rossville Street during the Battle of the Bogside in August 1969.

The image was captured by award-winning photograher Clive Limpkin who, coincidentally, passed away just months ago.

It was later immortalised by the Bogside Artists for one of their famous wall murals along Rossville Street.

ICONIC... Paddy Coyle (second from left) pictured in front of the Rossville Street mural with Bogside Artists, Kevin Hasson, Tom Kelly and Willie Kelly.

Among those paying tribute to Paddy Coyle were the Bogside Artists who said: “Even though the iconic image of Paddy as a young boy wearing a gas mask and holding a petrol bomb would become world famous, he never ever exploited the image.

“He refused many offers from TV documentary makers and newspapers to tell his story behind the image as he didn’t like talking about it. Paddy was committed to peace and reconciliation his whole life even during the years of the conflict... He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him, but his image as a young boy during The Battle of Bogside in 1969 will live on forever.”