A Provisional IRA bomb killed a British Army sergeant at a Wembley recruiting centre, marking part of a renewed IRA bombing campaign in London.
Key Facts
- Date of attack
- 16 May 1990
- Victim
- Sergeant Charles Chapman, age 34, Queen's Regiment
- Injuries
- 4 soldiers injured
- Explosive used
- Approximately 2 lb (910 g) of Semtex
- Time of detonation
- Approximately 5:15 pm
- Convictions
- None; no one ever convicted of Chapman's murder
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Provisional IRA launched a renewed bombing campaign in London in May 1990, targeting British military personnel and installations. Five days before the Wembley attack, the IRA had bombed the Royal Army Educational Corps headquarters in Eltham, injuring five civilians, signalling an escalation of operations on the British mainland.
On 16 May 1990, the IRA concealed approximately 910 g of Semtex beneath an unmarked white Leyland Sherpa minibus parked behind an army recruiting centre in Wembley. The bomb detonated at around 5:15 pm when Sergeant Charles Chapman turned the ignition, killing him and injuring four others, including a colleague who sustained shrapnel wounds and burns.
The IRA claimed responsibility the following day from Dublin, framing the attack as retaliation for British occupation of Northern Ireland. No one was ever convicted of Chapman's murder. The attack, along with the Eltham bombing, was identified as the beginning of a sustained new IRA bombing campaign targeting London.