Ilkeston rescue hero to be honoured

Tomorrow (Saturday 10th February 2024) Ilkeston will pause to remember Sgt Norman Merrill who who took part in the storming of the Iranian embassy in London in 1980.
A ceremonial salute for him, arranged by the Royal British Legion, will take place at the Cenotaph in the Market Place at 11am.
Pictures of the storming of the Embassy were seen by millions on TV, but the identities of the soldiers – highly trained in close combat fighting and hostage rescue – were unknown.
One of them was Mr Merrill who settled in Ilkeston after retiring from service in 1995. He died aged 82 in September last year.
Mayor of Erewash Cllr Frank Phillips described Mr Merrill as a modest hero.
He was seen on news bulletins throwing a smoke grenade through the window of the Iranian embassy. The rescue of 19 hostages then followed.
Mr Phillips will speak at tomorrow’s memorial service.