Birmingham's terror victims have finally received the highest civic recognition.

In a moving ceremony the 21 people slaughtered in murderous IRA attacks 43 years ago were granted the posthumous Freedom of The City.

It means their names will be forever enshrined and remembered alongside those of war heroes and the great and the good from Birmingham’s past.

And it brought to an end a quest spanning more than four decades by many of the relatives to ensure their love ones will never be forgotten.

Julie Hambleton, who lost her sister, Maxine, aged 18, in the bombings, was in tears when she heard about the honour.

She said: “Such recognition from the city and community of our great city goes way beyond ‘thank you’.

Maxine Hambleton, 18, Washwood Heath: Deceased

“The depth and meaning of such an act by those who represent us in Birmingham to honour fellow Brummies who are sadly no longer with us, is momentous.

“This means that the 21 will never be forgotten and that their names and lives will forever be part and parcel of the city they all knew as home.

“On behalf of all the families we want to express our sincerest and deepest gratitude to all at Birmingham City Council for bestowing such an honour on our loved ones of whom, we continue to grieve for, miss and love every day.

Lord Mayor of Birmingham Coun Anne Underwood welcomed the families and a Freedom of the City Scroll was unveiled them which will eventually be on display at St Phillip’s Cathedral.

The families also each received a copy of the scroll.

There were tears from some relatives as the21 victims of the Birmingham pub bombings the highest civic honour - The Posthumous Freedom of the City in the form of a scroll bearing the names of the victims.

It was an emotional night and there were some tears.

Coun Underwood said she had been very moved by some of the conversations she had had with relatives.

She added: "Don't be afraid to let the tears go - but don't be suprised if I join you."

The City Council choir performed at the beginning and end of the reception.

While purely symbolic, the move by the city council to confer posthumous awards is unprecedented.

Freedom of the The City recognition - the highest civic honour - is rarely bestowed on the living.

In Birmingham it has never before been made posthumously.

Stanley Bodman.
Stanley Bodman.

For those emotional family representatives who attended last night’s event, such thoughts were very much in their minds.

However, it was in their hearts were precious memories lay, recollections - admittedly fading now - of those who left for work, or went on dates or out to relax with friends and never came home on November 21, 1974.

Postman Cliff Jones, who was killed in the Birmingham pub bombings
Postman Cliff Jones, who was killed in the Birmingham pub bombings

They were fathers, brothers and sisters. Many of them young people who seemingly had so much to live for - until bombers struck in the space of ten deadly minutes at The Mulberry Bush and The Tavern In The Town bars.

The families lost their loved ones, the city lost its innocence and somehow things have never been quite the same since.

Tragic Pamela Palmer

When the city council announced its plans, the son of one of the victims spoke of his delight and perhaps summed up the mood of most of the other families.

Paul Rowlands said: “As the son of John Rowlands, who died in the Mulberry Bush, I would like to say on behalf of my father and mother that, after 42 years of trying to forget what happened due to the emotional trauma, it is wonderful that the city has chosen to do this.

John Rowlands, who was killed in the explosion at The Mulberry Bush

“It has re-invigorated my faith in the leaders of Birmingham and the fact that my father is no longer one of the forgotten. Thank you Birmingham.”

Paul Bridgewater, whose dad, Paul Davies, aged 17, was among the youngest victims, said: “On behalf of myself and my family we are truly honoured for the recognition and hopefully it will help us with our fight for funding parity in the upcoming inquest.”

Paul Anthony Davies, 18

Paul Thrupp, whose dad, Trevor had been in The Mulberry Bush, said: “On behalf of the family we greatly appreciate this gesture by the city of Birmingham, and it is great recognition of a truly fantastic man.

Trevor Thrupp.
Trevor Thrupp.

But Claire Luckman, speaking on behalf of Lynn Bennett’s family said: “It is a hollow gesture.

“It’s a shame the council wasn’t very forthcoming with a decent memorial, which my father was very involved in it coming about.

Lyn Bennett.
Lyn Bennett.

“Dick Knowles, leader of the council said at the time ”why do they want a memorial for?” And it shows in what was erected.” She was speaking in reference to the small monument in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral.

Stephen Whalley, 21
Pub bombings victim Stephen Whalley, who was 21 when he died

The posthumous award made last night was a single one for all 21 victims rather than 21 separate awards.

Announcing the decision by the council 12 months ago, former leader Coun John Clancy and fellow party leaders Robert Alden and Jon Hunt issued a joint statement.

James Craig, 34, who died in the Birmingham pub bombings
James Craig, 34, who died in the Birmingham pub bombings

They said: “The horrific events of November 21, 1974 cast a long shadow in Birmingham as our city came under attack.

“The victims of the bombings were sons and daughters of our city and our region, tragically cut down on that horrific night.

Marilyn Paula Nash, aged 22
Marilyn Paula Nash, aged 22

“As a mark of our respect we are now beginning the process of posthumously awarding the Freedom of the City to the innocent victims at the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in The Town. They will never be forgotten.”

The Birmingham pub bombings victims

The victims of the Birmingham pub bombings:

Michael Beasley (30)

Lynn Bennett (18)

Stanley Bodman (51)

James Caddick (40)

Thomas Chaytor (28)

James Craig (34)

Jane Davis (17)

Paul Davies (17)

Charles Grey (44)

Maxine Hambleton (18)

Anne Hayes (19)

John Clifford Jones (51)

Neil Marsh (16)

Marilyn Paula Nash (22)

Pamela Palmer (19)

Desmond Reilly (20)

Eugene Reilly (23)

Maureen Roberts (20)

John Rowland (46)

Trevor Thrupp (33)

Stephen Whalley (21)

*********************

The Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary.

Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom, the tradition still lives on in many countries, although today the title of “freeman” confers no special privileges. But it is hugely symbolic and a great honour.

Lilian Jones, whose father Trevor Thrupp was killed in the bomb attacks, admires the scroll of honour

The Freedom of the City can also be granted by municipal authorities to military units which have earned the city’s trust; in this context, it is sometimes called the Freedom of Entry. This allows them the freedom to parade through the city, and is an affirmation of the bond between the regiment and the citizenry.

The 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster received the freedom of the city of Liverpool in an emotional ceremony last year.

Families of those who lost their lives in Britain’s worst sporting tragedy on April 15, 1989 collected a specially designed scroll and a medal with the name of their loved one inscribed on it.

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The city of Birmingham, has granted Honorary Freedom to individuals and military organisations since 1888.

It is granted to “persons of distinction” and those who have rendered eminent services to the city.

But it is only done rarely - just 54 times up until now.

Among those to be honoured in the past are Joseph Chamberlain, Thomas Avery, Neville Chamberlain, Sir George Cadbury, Winston Churchill, HMS Birmingham, Queen’s Own Hussars and Sir Simon Rattle.

The full list is:

Philip Henry Muntz JP, 23 October 1888

Thomas Avery JP, 4 October 1892

George Dixon MP, 4 January 1898

John Thackray Bunce JP, 7 March 1899

Earl Roberts VC KG OM, 1 January 1901

Edward Lawley Parker JP, 31 October 1904

Jesse Collings MP, 13 June 1911

William Kenrick JP, 13 June 1911

Frances Corder Clayton JP, 2 July 1912

Charles Gabriel Beale Beale JP, 2 July 1912

Sir William Henry Bowater JP, 4 January 1916

William Moris Hughes, 22 May 1916

David Lloyd George OM MP, 5 February 1921

Earl Balfour KG OM, 22 June 1922

Sir George Hamilton Kenrick, 25 September 1923

Sir David Brooks GBE JP, 25 September 1923

Sir Austen Chamberlain KG PC MP, 22 February 1926

Barrow Cadbury JP, 6 May 1932

Neville Chamberlain PC MP, 6 May 1932

John Henry Lloyd MA JP, 6 May 1932

Ernest Martineau CMG DL, 11 July 1938

William Adlington Cadbury, 11 July 1938

Wilfred Byng Kenrick, 11 July 1938

Henry James Sayer JP, 11 July 1938

Jan Christiaan Smuts CH KC, 19 May 1944

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill CH FRS MP, 31 October 1946

The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1946

Clement R. Attlee CH MP, 18 October 1947

Sir William J. Slim KCB, 18 October 1947

Sir F. H. C. Wiltshire MC, 18 October 1947

H. Barrow, 12 April 1949

Mrs. A. M. Howes MBE JP, 16 April 1955

Sir Barry V. Jackson, 16 April 1955

Sir S. Vernon, 16 April 1955

Sir T. B. Pritchett MC DL, 7 May 1960

Sir A. Bradbeer JP, 7 May 1960

268 Regiment, Royal Artillery TA, 4 June 1966

Sir Francis. F. Griffin, 2 May 1970

H. Watton CBE JP, 2 May 1970

35th Signal Regiment, 12 September 1970

E. W. Horton JP, 15 September 1973

E. E. Mole OBE JP, 15 September 1973

Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 7 May 1975

HMS Birmingham, 11 May 1978

Sir N. B. A. Bosworth CBE, 4 December 1982

Sir George Adrian Hayhurst Cadbury, 4 December 1982

Julius Silverman MP, 4 December 1982

Queen’s Own Hussars, 4 October 1983

Mrs. M. A. Brown CBE JP, 25 October 1986

Mrs. F. M. Cocks OBE JP, 25 October 1986

Sir Reginald E. Eyre, 23 February 1991

Baron Howell of Aston Manor, 23 February 1991

* The annual memorial service for the victims takes place at St Phillip's Cathedral at 5.45pm tonight - Tuesday, November 21. The famillies of the victims have extended an invitation for anyone who wishes to support them to attend.