The sister of a young soldier killed 40 years ago by the Provisional IRA has described forgiveness as a road she will “never walk”.
Elizabeth Woods’s brother, UDR Private Robert Hill, was 22 when he was he was targeted with an under car bomb.
No-one has ever been convicted for his murder.
He is set to be remembered at a church service on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ms Woods appealed to anyone with information that could help bring his killers to justice to come forward.
She described her brother as the youngest of four close siblings who grew up together on a farm in Co Down.
Mr Hill worked as a joiner and was a part time member of the UDR, and has been remembered as quiet but with a passion for music and the loyal orders, as well as hockey, playing with Saintfield Hockey Club.
He was killed instantly when a booby-trap bomb, planted under his car, exploded as he set off to drive to work at a furniture factory in Ballynahinch from his home on Comber Road in Drumaness.
Ms Woods said their mother regularly travelled with him on Tuesday mornings, but had not that morning.
“The Provisional IRA had gone after a soft target and planted a bomb underneath my wee brother’s car. He was only 22 years old, still just a boy,” she said.
She recalled being pregnant when she heard the news and trying to stay calm, believing, “if I went under, I would never get back up” and knowing the challenges ahead of the wake, funeral, inquest and grappling with “all the unanswered questions surrounding his murder”.
“People often talk about forgiveness. For me, that is a road I will never walk. I have no forgiveness for what was done to my wee brother,” she said.
“I know others choose differently, and that is their right, but it is not mine. Robert was the only one who could have offered forgiveness, and he is not here to do so. Knowing him, I know exactly what his answer would have been.”
She went on to pay tribute to every man and woman who served with the UDR, describing “immense courage to put on the uniform” amid the “aggressive and relentless terrorist threat”, including her sister Pauline.
Ms Woods also recalled a female UDR soldier telling her “you couldn’t get a more innocent fella than Robert Hill”.
“Now, I’m not saying Robert was an angel all the time,” she said.
“Like any family, we had our moments. When Pauline and Robert fell out, sparks could fly, and on one occasion, so did a book through a door panel.
“He was one of the bravest fellas I ever knew. He loved his cars, his motorbike, holidays in Spain, animals, and tattoos.
“Because he died so young, I can only ever remember him as being forever young. I never got the chance to know him any other way.”
She added: “Robert was only 22-years-old when his life was stolen away, but he remains loved, remembered, and missed every single day.
“Four decades may have now passed since Robert’s murder but in marking this milestone anniversary I issue an appeal that people would search their hearts and that they would come forward with information which could yet lead to those responsible being held accountable for their heinous crime.
“Robert was worth more then and he is worth more now.”
Kenny Donaldson, director of the victims group SEFF, which supports the family, said they are deeply valued by the organisation.
“Robert’s murder irreversibly changed life for the Hill family, it deeply impacted so many who enjoyed a loving relationship with him, his former UDR colleagues, and his friends through the many organisations he was involved,” he said.
“It would be the wishes of the family that the full community would join with them for this upcoming service taking place at 3.30pm on Sunday June 28 in Ballynahinch Congregational Church.
“Robert had a wide circle of friends and was well liked and respected and it would be a fitting tribute that this would be reflected once more.”
