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EspañolTHE ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT (27TH (INNISKILLING) 83RD AND 87TH AND ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT)
(Redirected from Royal Irish Regiment)
:''For the unconnected regiment, disbanded 1922, see The Royal Irish Regiment''
'The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)', commonly just called the 'Royal Irish Regiment ' ('R IRISH'), is an infantry unit of the British Army and is the only remaining Irish regiment of the line.
The regiment was formed in 1992 under the Options for Change proposals through the amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment, with most of its membership coming from the latter. Its Regimental HQ is in St Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena. This produced a regiment with a total of eleven battalions:
★ 'Regular Army - General Service'
★
★ 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★ 'Territorial Army'
★
★ 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers
★
★ 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers
★ 'Regular Army - Northern Ireland Resident Battalions (or "Home Service")'
★
★ 3rd (County Down) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 4th (County Fermanagh and County Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 5th (County Londonderry) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 6th (County Armagh) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 7th (City of Belfast) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 8th (County Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 9th (County Antrim) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★ 'Note': Northern Ireland Resident Battalion is the official Army terminology for what was previously known as the “Home Service” (a term still mistakenly used).
The Northern Ireland Resident Battalions fulfilled the role formerly occupied by the Ulster Defence Regiment; conducting counter-terrorism operations in Northern Ireland under Operation Banner. The 1st and 2nd Battalions, by contrast, served worldwide as general service battalions.
Because of its size, the regiment was removed from the King's Division and existed outside the divisions of infantry. In 1993, one of the regular battalions was disbanded, while the 3rd and 6th Battalions merged, as did the 4th and 5th battalions of the Royal Irish Rangers to form 4th/5th Battalion. In 2001, the number of Northern Ireland Resident Battalions was reduced to three:
★ 2nd Battalion - amalgamation of 7th and 9th Battalions
★ 3rd Battalion - amalgamation of 3rd and 8th Battalions
★ 4th Battalion - amalgamation of 4th and 5th Battalions
Then, in 2005, the government announced the end of Operation Banner, and with it the disbandment of the resident battalions. These were declared non-operational in October 2006, and disbanded in July 2007.
Today, the operational command of the Royal Irish Regiment encompasses:
★ 1st Battalion - general service
★ The Royal Irish Rangers - Territorial Army
★
★ B (North Irish Horse) Squadron, Queen's Own Yeomanry - Territorial Army (an RAC squadron under the operational command of the Royal Irish Rangers)
In 2004, a major restructuring of the infantry was announced, with all of the remaining single battalion infantry regiments being amalgamated together. Under normal circumstances, this may have put the Royal Irish Regiment at risk. However, because of its unique status in providing the home defence for Northern Ireland, plus the fact that it is the only remaining Irish line infantry regiment, it was decided to leave the Royal Irish Regiment as it was, with no changes, with perhaps the exception of bringing the Territorial Army battalion more fully within the regiment's structure (i.e., renaming it as 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment). This allows a 'line infantry footprint' to remain in Northern Ireland.
The General Service Battalion is notable for the number of soldiers recruited from the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland the Regiment recruits from all sections of the community and both sides of any sectarian divide. In common with other line infantry regiments it has recruited many non-UK personnel; particularly from South Africa and Zimbabwe, Fiji and the Caribbean.
The 1st Battalion has just returned to 16 Air Assault Brigade. This Brigade is one of two British light brigades, designed to be capable of rapidly deploying to trouble spots around the world.
As such, the battalion has seen more than its fair share of operational tours recently. In 2000 in Sierra Leone, while deployed to train government troops, eleven Royal Irish soldiers and their local army liaison officer, were kidnapped by the West Side Boys insurgents. Five hostages were later released and the remaining six were freed by the SAS, with the West Side Boys suffering severe casualties in the action.
1 R IRISH also deployed with its brigade to Iraq at the beginning of Op TELIC in March 2003, where they carried out operations in the south of the country. Its Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. (now Colonel [Retired]) Tim Collins, after being falsely accused and acquitted of war crimes, was honoured with an OBE for distinguished service.
1 R IRISH returned from 6 months in Iraq on Op TELIC 6/7 where they served in Shaibah Logistics Base near Basra. Although the majority of the Battalion was deployed around the MND(SE) area a single Company was deployed to Baghdad.
The 1st Battalion, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, will assume a fixed role. It will become a light role battalion, rotating with two other line infantry/rifles battalions in the air assault role as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. As part of this, the battalion will move from Fort George, Inverness to Tern Hill by 2008. They are likely to then be deployed to Afghanistan (Op HERRICK).
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) announced an end to its campaign of violence in the summer of 2005. In response the United Kingdom government announced military cuts which included the R IRISH. Having played a crucial role in creating the environment for normalisation the Northern Ireland Resident Battalions of the Regiment were told that they would be disbanded. In March of 2006, a redundancy package was announced for these battalions, which became non-operational in October 2006. On 1 Aug 2007 Op BANNER, the military support to the civilian police (Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI) in Northern Ireland ended, and the three resident battalions were disbanded.
Adam Ingram, Armed Forces Minister said:
Regimental Colonel Mark Campbell said "The end of Operation Banner (the military operation in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland) reflects the success of the home service whose men and women have played a significant role in bringing Northern Ireland to the far more peaceful circumstances it enjoys today."
The home service battalions were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) by HM The Queen in Belfast, 6 October 2006. It is the first time the medal, second in precedence only to the Victoria Cross, has been awarded to a military unit rather than to an individual member of the armed forces.
The 1st Battalion, other than accepting transfers of willing Home Service soldiers into its ORBAT, will be unaffected by these disbandments.
As part of the reduction of Army strength in Northern Ireland to a conventional garrison, the RHQ in Ballymena was earmarked for closure. It is expected to close in Summer of 2008, with the Royal Irish RHQ moving to Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. The Royal Irish band, the largest musical ensemble in the British Army, will be transferred to the Territorial Army.
The Rangers have distinguished themselves on operations in Op TELIC in Iraq. They have served as on operations with the likes of the PWRR in Al Amarrah and in other areas of Iraq with 1 R IRISH and The London Regiment. With 1 R IRISH now back as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade the Rangers find themselves training for a more operational role in support of their regular counterparts.
★ Sergeant Robert Irvine (9 R IRISH Full-Time) Shot off duty at his temporary home, Tamlaght Road, Rasharkin, County Antrim, by IRA terrorists, on 20 October 1992.
★ Lance Corporal Ian Warnock (6 R IRISH Part-Time) Shot by IRA terrorists whilst off duty sitting in his stationary car outside his wife's workplace, Moypark factory, Seagoe, Portadown, County Armagh, on 19 November 1992.
★ Ranger Stephen Waller (1 R IRISH) Shot at his home by IRA terrorists while home on leave, Westland Crescent, off the Cavehill Road, Belfast, on 30 December 1992.
★ Lance Corporal Mervyn Johnston (7 R IRISH Part-Time) Shot outside his home by IRA terrorists, Highfern Gardens, Highfield, Belfast, on 15 February 1993.
★ Lance Corporal John Darren Rocke. Died as a result of a gun shot wound in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 6 March 1993[1]
★ Private Christopher Wren (8 R IRISH Part-Time) Killed by an IRA booby trap bomb attached to his car while travelling along Carrydarragh Road, Moneymore, County Londonderry, on 31 May 1993.
★ Private Reginald McCollum (8 R Irish Full-Time) Found shot in field, by Mullaghcreevie housing estate, Armagh. Murdered by IRA terrorists on 21 May 1994.
★ Corporal Trelford Withers (3 R IRISH Part-Time) Shot at his shop by IRA gunmen, Downpatrick Street, Crossgar, County Down, on 6 August 1994. (The last R Irish Soldier murdered by the IRA. His Daughter Cpl Claire Withers was presented the CGC by Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of the Regiment)
★ Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch. September 2006. Mortar attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan[2].
★ Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead in Afghanistan. September 2006[3].
★ Ranger Anare Draiva. September 2006. Helmand Province, Afghanistan[4]
★ Corporal Trevor Raywood COULT, Military Cross[5]
★ Lieutenant Richard Gordon DEANE Military Cross[6]
Captain Douglas - ''Dougie'' - Ricardo BEATTIE, Military Cross[7]
|-style="text-align: center; background: #c4df9b;"
| align="center" colspan="4"|'Lineage'
|-
| width="25%" rowspan="20" align="center" | ''
| width="25%" rowspan="6" align="center"| 'The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th)'
| width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| 'The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers'
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 27 (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 108 Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)'
|-
| width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| 'The Royal Ulster Rifles'
| width="25%" align="center"| '83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 86 (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| 'The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)'
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 87 (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 89 (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" colspan="3" align="center" | 'The Ulster Defence Regiment'
★ - The Princess Louise Fusiliers
★ - 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada
★ - Adelaide University Regiment
★ - The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment
★ - The South African Irish Regiment
★ - The Royal Gibraltar Regiment
★ - 1st Battalion, The Punjab Regiment
★ - 9th Battalion, The Frontier Force Regiment
★ - HMS ''Bulwark''
★ Ministry of Defence Royal Irish Regiment Website
★ Headquarters Northern Ireland (HQNI) - Royal Irish Regiment article
★ Article on Colonel Tim Collins in Iraq, "''that speech''" and alleged war crimes
★ Developing news site with forum to discuss end of Operation Banner with a R IRISH focus
★ Regiments.org site - listing the Colonels and other information
:''For the unconnected regiment, disbanded 1922, see The Royal Irish Regiment''
'The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)', commonly just called the 'Royal Irish Regiment ' ('R IRISH'), is an infantry unit of the British Army and is the only remaining Irish regiment of the line.
Current Organisation
The regiment was formed in 1992 under the Options for Change proposals through the amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment, with most of its membership coming from the latter. Its Regimental HQ is in St Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena. This produced a regiment with a total of eleven battalions:
★ 'Regular Army - General Service'
★
★ 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★ 'Territorial Army'
★
★ 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers
★
★ 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers
★ 'Regular Army - Northern Ireland Resident Battalions (or "Home Service")'
★
★ 3rd (County Down) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 4th (County Fermanagh and County Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 5th (County Londonderry) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 6th (County Armagh) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 7th (City of Belfast) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 8th (County Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★
★ 9th (County Antrim) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
★ 'Note': Northern Ireland Resident Battalion is the official Army terminology for what was previously known as the “Home Service” (a term still mistakenly used).
The Northern Ireland Resident Battalions fulfilled the role formerly occupied by the Ulster Defence Regiment; conducting counter-terrorism operations in Northern Ireland under Operation Banner. The 1st and 2nd Battalions, by contrast, served worldwide as general service battalions.
Because of its size, the regiment was removed from the King's Division and existed outside the divisions of infantry. In 1993, one of the regular battalions was disbanded, while the 3rd and 6th Battalions merged, as did the 4th and 5th battalions of the Royal Irish Rangers to form 4th/5th Battalion. In 2001, the number of Northern Ireland Resident Battalions was reduced to three:
★ 2nd Battalion - amalgamation of 7th and 9th Battalions
★ 3rd Battalion - amalgamation of 3rd and 8th Battalions
★ 4th Battalion - amalgamation of 4th and 5th Battalions
Then, in 2005, the government announced the end of Operation Banner, and with it the disbandment of the resident battalions. These were declared non-operational in October 2006, and disbanded in July 2007.
Today, the operational command of the Royal Irish Regiment encompasses:
★ 1st Battalion - general service
★ The Royal Irish Rangers - Territorial Army
★
★ B (North Irish Horse) Squadron, Queen's Own Yeomanry - Territorial Army (an RAC squadron under the operational command of the Royal Irish Rangers)
Restructuring
Soldiers from the Northern Ireland Resident Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment bow their heads in prayer during their final parade and review.
In 2004, a major restructuring of the infantry was announced, with all of the remaining single battalion infantry regiments being amalgamated together. Under normal circumstances, this may have put the Royal Irish Regiment at risk. However, because of its unique status in providing the home defence for Northern Ireland, plus the fact that it is the only remaining Irish line infantry regiment, it was decided to leave the Royal Irish Regiment as it was, with no changes, with perhaps the exception of bringing the Territorial Army battalion more fully within the regiment's structure (i.e., renaming it as 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment). This allows a 'line infantry footprint' to remain in Northern Ireland.
The General Service Battalion is notable for the number of soldiers recruited from the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland the Regiment recruits from all sections of the community and both sides of any sectarian divide. In common with other line infantry regiments it has recruited many non-UK personnel; particularly from South Africa and Zimbabwe, Fiji and the Caribbean.
Recent deployments
The 1st Battalion has just returned to 16 Air Assault Brigade. This Brigade is one of two British light brigades, designed to be capable of rapidly deploying to trouble spots around the world.
As such, the battalion has seen more than its fair share of operational tours recently. In 2000 in Sierra Leone, while deployed to train government troops, eleven Royal Irish soldiers and their local army liaison officer, were kidnapped by the West Side Boys insurgents. Five hostages were later released and the remaining six were freed by the SAS, with the West Side Boys suffering severe casualties in the action.
1 R IRISH also deployed with its brigade to Iraq at the beginning of Op TELIC in March 2003, where they carried out operations in the south of the country. Its Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. (now Colonel [Retired]) Tim Collins, after being falsely accused and acquitted of war crimes, was honoured with an OBE for distinguished service.
1 R IRISH returned from 6 months in Iraq on Op TELIC 6/7 where they served in Shaibah Logistics Base near Basra. Although the majority of the Battalion was deployed around the MND(SE) area a single Company was deployed to Baghdad.
The future
1st Battalion
The 1st Battalion, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, will assume a fixed role. It will become a light role battalion, rotating with two other line infantry/rifles battalions in the air assault role as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. As part of this, the battalion will move from Fort George, Inverness to Tern Hill by 2008. They are likely to then be deployed to Afghanistan (Op HERRICK).
Northern Ireland Resident Battalions (Home Service)
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) announced an end to its campaign of violence in the summer of 2005. In response the United Kingdom government announced military cuts which included the R IRISH. Having played a crucial role in creating the environment for normalisation the Northern Ireland Resident Battalions of the Regiment were told that they would be disbanded. In March of 2006, a redundancy package was announced for these battalions, which became non-operational in October 2006. On 1 Aug 2007 Op BANNER, the military support to the civilian police (Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI) in Northern Ireland ended, and the three resident battalions were disbanded.
Adam Ingram, Armed Forces Minister said:
Regimental Colonel Mark Campbell said "The end of Operation Banner (the military operation in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland) reflects the success of the home service whose men and women have played a significant role in bringing Northern Ireland to the far more peaceful circumstances it enjoys today."
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
The home service battalions were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) by HM The Queen in Belfast, 6 October 2006. It is the first time the medal, second in precedence only to the Victoria Cross, has been awarded to a military unit rather than to an individual member of the armed forces.
The 1st Battalion, other than accepting transfers of willing Home Service soldiers into its ORBAT, will be unaffected by these disbandments.
As part of the reduction of Army strength in Northern Ireland to a conventional garrison, the RHQ in Ballymena was earmarked for closure. It is expected to close in Summer of 2008, with the Royal Irish RHQ moving to Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. The Royal Irish band, the largest musical ensemble in the British Army, will be transferred to the Territorial Army.
The Rangers (Volunteers)
The Rangers have distinguished themselves on operations in Op TELIC in Iraq. They have served as on operations with the likes of the PWRR in Al Amarrah and in other areas of Iraq with 1 R IRISH and The London Regiment. With 1 R IRISH now back as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade the Rangers find themselves training for a more operational role in support of their regular counterparts.
Roll of Honour
★ Sergeant Robert Irvine (9 R IRISH Full-Time) Shot off duty at his temporary home, Tamlaght Road, Rasharkin, County Antrim, by IRA terrorists, on 20 October 1992.
★ Lance Corporal Ian Warnock (6 R IRISH Part-Time) Shot by IRA terrorists whilst off duty sitting in his stationary car outside his wife's workplace, Moypark factory, Seagoe, Portadown, County Armagh, on 19 November 1992.
★ Ranger Stephen Waller (1 R IRISH) Shot at his home by IRA terrorists while home on leave, Westland Crescent, off the Cavehill Road, Belfast, on 30 December 1992.
★ Lance Corporal Mervyn Johnston (7 R IRISH Part-Time) Shot outside his home by IRA terrorists, Highfern Gardens, Highfield, Belfast, on 15 February 1993.
★ Lance Corporal John Darren Rocke. Died as a result of a gun shot wound in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegowina, on 6 March 1993[1]
★ Private Christopher Wren (8 R IRISH Part-Time) Killed by an IRA booby trap bomb attached to his car while travelling along Carrydarragh Road, Moneymore, County Londonderry, on 31 May 1993.
★ Private Reginald McCollum (8 R Irish Full-Time) Found shot in field, by Mullaghcreevie housing estate, Armagh. Murdered by IRA terrorists on 21 May 1994.
★ Corporal Trelford Withers (3 R IRISH Part-Time) Shot at his shop by IRA gunmen, Downpatrick Street, Crossgar, County Down, on 6 August 1994. (The last R Irish Soldier murdered by the IRA. His Daughter Cpl Claire Withers was presented the CGC by Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of the Regiment)
★ Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch. September 2006. Mortar attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan[2].
★ Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead in Afghanistan. September 2006[3].
★ Ranger Anare Draiva. September 2006. Helmand Province, Afghanistan[4]
Operational Honours
Military Cross
Iraq
★ Corporal Trevor Raywood COULT, Military Cross[5]
★ Lieutenant Richard Gordon DEANE Military Cross[6]
Afghanistan
Captain Douglas - ''Dougie'' - Ricardo BEATTIE, Military Cross[7]
Order of precedence
Lineage
|-style="text-align: center; background: #c4df9b;"
| align="center" colspan="4"|'Lineage'
|-
| width="25%" rowspan="20" align="center" | ''
| width="25%" rowspan="6" align="center"| 'The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th)'
| width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| 'The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers'
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 27 (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 108 Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)'
|-
| width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| 'The Royal Ulster Rifles'
| width="25%" align="center"| '83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 86 (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| 'The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)'
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 87 (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" align="center"| 'The 89 (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot'
|-
| width="25%" colspan="3" align="center" | 'The Ulster Defence Regiment'
Alliances
★ - The Princess Louise Fusiliers
★ - 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada
★ - Adelaide University Regiment
★ - The Canterbury, and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Regiment
★ - The South African Irish Regiment
★ - The Royal Gibraltar Regiment
★ - 1st Battalion, The Punjab Regiment
★ - 9th Battalion, The Frontier Force Regiment
★ - HMS ''Bulwark''
External links
★ Ministry of Defence Royal Irish Regiment Website
★ Headquarters Northern Ireland (HQNI) - Royal Irish Regiment article
★ Article on Colonel Tim Collins in Iraq, "''that speech''" and alleged war crimes
★ Developing news site with forum to discuss end of Operation Banner with a R IRISH focus
★ Regiments.org site - listing the Colonels and other information
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