A librarian killed when a bomb blamed on the IRA ripped through a busy London historical attraction is being remembered for her community legacy 50 years on from the attack.
Dorothy Household was 45 when she died in the blast at the Tower of London’s White Tower on July 17, 1974.
A bomb had been planted in the Tower’s Mortar Room, which housed historical artifacts and was packed with tourists when the device exploded, killing Dorothy and severely injuring 41 people, many of whom lost limbs.
Dorothy had been visiting the Tower - which dates back to 1078 - with two young children, to provide a break for their parents, when the blast occurred.
The device was left beside an 18th century cannon and was linked to the Provisional IRA, which at the time was carrying out a bombing campaign in England and only a month before had injured 11 people in a blast at the Houses of Parliament.
The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) victims group has maintained contact with Dorothy’s family in recent years, and said her legacy continues today in a community centre in London’s Croydon area.
“Dorothy was a librarian by profession, and she attended Parchmore Methodist Church and Community Centre - her faith was everything to her,” SEFF director Kenny Donaldson said.
“Dorothy was instrumental in having a floor inserted in the building so that the ground floor could accommodate a community centre for the challenging London suburb in which it is situated.
“The space Dorothy helped create is now doing sterling work for the wider community.”
Dorothy is also remembered as part of a SEFF project to honour Troubles victims from Great Britain with a series of memorial quilts, which were recently displayed in an exhibition at Manchester Cathedral.
“She existed to support and serve others and her murder was a cruel blow for the family to endure,”Mr Donaldson added.
“We are determined that she is not forgotten and that her legacy will not be airbrushed away through the evils of terrorism.”
