Alanbrook Barracks Paderborn 1975 - 1977

A SECOND FUSILIERS POST-OPERATIONAL BRIEFING TO A PLATOON OF
FUSILIERS

‘OPERATION BANNER’
THE MILITARY TERM FOR ‘THE TROUBLES’
(Inspired by former RRF Acting Sergeant Les Ingham RRF with some minor
embellishments)
2 RRF “C” Company Eleven Platoon Commander 1971
Word Count: 5,443 Pages: 17
“All of history, a great wheel, turning inexorably. Just as seasons come and go, just as
the moon moves endlessly through her cycle, so does time. The same wars are fought,
the same plagues descend, the same folk, good or evil, rise to power. Humanity is
trapped on that wheel, doomed endlessly to repeat the mistakes we have we have
already made. Unless someone comes to change it.”
- Robin Hobb, Assassin's Quest

Figure: A view of Belfast City and Environs identifying Peace Lines
INTRODUCTION
“The saying goes that history is something the Irishman never remembers and
Englishmen never forget.”
The Character of the Campaign
The ‘Troubles’ began in July 1969 as a result of the breaking-up of a civil rights march in
Londonderry in which the Protestant paramilitary police (B-Specials) used considerable
violence against the largely Catholic protesters.
As the violence spread and Catholics across the province found themselves under
attack by groups of Protestants, the decision was taken to reinforce the Northern Ireland
military garrison with additional soldiers acting "in aid of the civil power".
Initially they were made welcome, especially by the Catholic community. But the good
relations did not last, particularly after the rump of the Irish Republican Army entered the
fray to continue the fight as the Provisional IRA.
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Meanwhile…
A Potential Fusilier stood alone, one dark and dismal morning….”.He was unsure why
he had joined the British Army,” he whispered softly ….he stood at the edge of the
hallowed square of ground of his new life…the RSM t observed thoughtfully and
said…step off Fusilier …He said no, Sir…I will fall…the RSM said…be brave Fusilier
…step off… I said no, Sir …I will fall….he said repeating the command, more forcibly
this time…...step off on your left foot Fusilier ….and your brothers and sisters – in -
arms will catch you…I bravely stepped off…and flew …the RSM smiled …bravely
done Fusilier ‘follow my example’ and you will soar to great heights. The Fusilier never
looked back! (Cite: The Author)
The Second Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2 RRF) returned from West
Berlin to the United Kingdom (UK) in July 1971 on conclusion of a two-year
accompanied tour. The battalion occupied the vacant Alma Barracks, Catterick
Garrison until August 1975. From the barracks the Second Fusiliers carried out
numerous emergency tours (later to become known as Roulement tours) of Northern
Ireland at the height of ‘The Troubles’ in 1971/1972.
However, their principal role was to assume t that of an infantry battalion attached to 24
Airmobile Brigade and committed to providing Milan anti-tank defence.
Primarily because of the commitment of troops to Northern Ireland, a reduction of troop
levels in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). I (BR) Corps consisted of Corps troops
and four divisions. The 2nd Infantry Division was one of these and was stationed at
Catterick, to be summoned in time of need. The 24 Airmobile Brigade also belonged to
this division. It was fully air portable and capable of being transported by helicopter
with all its equipment. The main task of the three infantry battalions of this Brigade was
anti-tank defence and they were equipped with more than 50 Milan anti-tank weapons
systems. The other two brigades were of Territorial Army units.
Public Order Operations
Acting Sergeant Les Ingham whilst on his missionary journeys throughout the world
accumulated many stories – some fanciful but most genuine. He had crossed numerous
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oceans and seas in his quest for adventure and none more so than a voyage across the
tempestuous Irish Sea. Familiar and memorable voyages from Liverpool to Belfast on
the overnight Stena Ferries was a period in my hectic service life I will never forget. It
was in mid-1971 and I had been fortunate enough to be appointed “C” Company,
Eleven Platoon Commander. The Second Fusiliers were about to embark on their first
tour of emergency duty in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The experience forever etched into
the memories of serving Fusiliers at that time.
It is important to note that in 1971 infantry reinforcement troops received very little
internal security training. The CO of 2 RRF developed an imaginative pre-deployment
training package involving many local agencies and seconded RUC officers to represent
and support the unit in its delivery of the mission. The imagination, direction and
inspirational leadership of the CO and his staff contributed to reduced casualties.
I assumed responsibility for briefing my platoon of twenty-eight Fusiliers prior to
operational duty. A typical Fusiliers briefing might have sounded something like this!
So before I start I will reveal is an informal pre-deployment briefing to Fusiliers preparing
about to embark on their very first tour of Northern Ireland. It could be accurately
described as typical of any unit anywhere in the British Army at the time! The verbal
briefing presented by an experienced Sergeant pulls no punches in its delivery! It is not
for readers with a sensitive disposition or suffering from ‘Fear of a Better Option’ [FOBO]
nor is it for the squeamish or armchair politicians!
A few days prior to operational deployment the battalion assembled on the Alma
Barracks square to hear their Commanding Officer (CO]) an inspirational officer, present
the traditional ‘Eve of Deployment Speech’. The senior Fusiliers of the battalion had
heard his speech a number of times and the ‘old sweats’ of the battalion gazed
heavenwards into the wintery clouds and dreamed of improved times. The CO’s name
was the formidable late Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Calcott Reilly KCB DSO1
. He was
commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1954 and was destined to
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aspire to the higher echelons of the British Army (Promoted and ennobled -see note
one).
The weather in Catterick Garrison that day was bitterly cold – an icy north-easterly wind
carrying flurries of snow and sleet prevailed. A large party of Fusiliers’ families
assembled mixed with a small group of gawkers braved the elements and listened
intently from a distance. The stirring sound of the regimental band, the skirling of
Northumbrian pipes, the rhythmical drumming of marching feet as they crushed gravel,
on the parade ground, the waving of regimental flags among an expectant throng. There
is something joyous and rousing about the ceremonial splendour of events we
witnessed that day. Essentially it was an emotional farewell parade for families, and
friends of the regimental family. All that translated into a long-period of separation from
loved ones for four and half months. The dangers and threats to life and limb were too
apparent as casualties were reported regularly in the national press. The anxiety was
palpable. Observing such pageantry and spectacle, carried out in immaculate and
precise military precision, can leave the viewing public with a huge sense of pride. The
Regimental Band played traditional Regimental tunes, Drums beating, Northumbrian
pipes skirling, Regimental Colours flying in the breeze, flags waving; stirring emotional
memories of glories long-since past but the feeling that day was markedly subdued.
‘The British Grenadiers ‘ rang out; the Regimental ‘Quick March of the English Fusiliers’
is a patriotic tune, once heard, that makes your chest swell with pride and the hairs
stand up on the back of your neck! Followed by the Geordie folk song ‘Blaydon Races’
(composed by Geordie Ridley); the chorus years earlier reverberated around the
towering rock walls of ‘Crater district’ of Aden:
‘Ah me lads, ye shudda seen us gannin',
We pass'd the foaks alang the road just as they wor stannin';
Thor wis lots o' lads an' lassies there, aal wi' smiling faces,
Gannin' alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.
This was one such occasion that will always be remembered – the power and the glory
of our much cherished regimental heritage, traditions handed down from generation to
generation of England’s Fusiliers!
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Traditionally a glass of port is provided for the late WO1 (RSM) R.D. Faulkner prior to
the parade (to lubricate the RSM’s vocal cords endorsed by the Medical Officer for
therapeutic purposes you understand). The glass of port carried by a Sergeant Mess
manager arrived on an early 18th Century American small silver salver (with the mark of
Simeon Soumaine). The glass of port was accepted by the RSM Ron graciously. It
reminded me of the old saying: claret is for boys, port is for men but brandy is reserved
for heroes…..I digress!
Mr Faulkner, gave the long-drawn out cautionary word of command before the
executive ‘the markers are steady and the Fusiliers are ready, Sir’. Mr. Faulkner could
have bellowed anything to be honest, the parade would have ‘jumped on the shovel’
such was the respect, strict discipline, responsiveness for the much respected ‘ top
soldier Ron’ (Ron’s personal motto was for the Regiment, St. George and Arsenal if I
recall correctly) . You could perhaps under such circumstances excuse the Fusiliers for
reacting like ‘coiled springs’! “We were at the top of our game, and no football Video
Assisted Referee (VAR) ruling would change that” remarked RSM Ron.
Colonel (effectionally nicknamed by his Fusiliers as simply JC) nodded nonchalantly in
acknowledgement of the presence of the battalion. The CO was dressed in an
all-weather brown Barbour jacket, unzipped and carrying a fly-fishing rod under his
left-arm. He planned to go salmon fishing on the River Tweed that day. He critically
viewed his battalion and was immensely proud of his Fusiliers for what they had
achieved in extensive and demanding pre-deployment Northern Ireland training! He had
prepared his Fusiliers well for the challenging peacebuilding task ahead! Soon he would
lead his battalion across the imaginary Start Line (SL) of Queen Elizabeth Bridge that
spans the murky waters of the River Lagan, towards North Belfast. BHQ was based in
Glenravel Street RUC Police station with rifle companies dispersed in company groups
throughout the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR) of Newington and the New Lodge
areas of North Belfast. The CO reflected on the importance of the day and the
battalion’s forthcoming exposure to armed conflict with trepidation. This mission was a
far cry from recent internal security experience gained from campaigns in Aden, Hong
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Kong or Guyana. The CO would report to the 39 Infantry Brigade Commander for
operational direction, at Thiepval barracks, Lisburn.
The Regimental pipers dressed that day in their Northumbrian tartan. The pipers, skirled
‘Geordie Pride’ [a Newcastle United Song – The original Song written by Paddy
McCann] advanced ‘[During the Returning swiftly to the Catterick parade, the Colonels
address was subdued and short, brief to the point. He emphasised that in past
campaigns the British Army had displayed self-control, discipline, particularly restraint
and forbearance in the face of grievous provocation was he explained a key factor in
achieving a successful outcome but it may take many years to achieve – thirty-seven to
be exact. Northern Ireland would be no different and then he added, “It might take a little
longer to achieve.” He did not wish to keep his men out in this foul weather knowing that
farewell to Catterick celebrations would be uppermost in the Fusiliers minds. “Well
chaps I just want to sincerely wish you all good health and good luck. Do not forget it is
most important to keep your discipline, no matter the provocation even if you suffer a
kick in the glockenspiels – the Fusiliers laughter was heard throughout the barracks,
Keep your heads held high, keep your wits about you at all times and remember you are
‘representatives of the British Army’; We are not at war but are there importantly to
support the civil authorities and law enforcement agencies – remember the Royal Ulster
Constabulary (RUC) have primacy!
With that the CO saluted, /carry on Second – in- Command’ and left the parade ground.
The battalion 2IC Major Tony Kiljoy quietly issued the order ‘fall out the Officers’. It was
left to the ‘Top Soldier’ to dismiss the troops to ‘whoops of delight’ were heard as they
made their way to their respective messes for farewell to Catterick drinks.
“Mission Command - Keep Calm and Carry On“
The Platoon Sergeant (an Alpha-male type) a hardy Lancastrian with a ramrod spine, a
neck like a reinforced steel culvert, arms like a road drillers bicep’s and a drooping,
well groomed, Mexican moustache sporting a wide grin enters the room, slammed the
mess door shut, nearly taking the door off its hinges, and locked it. He was
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affectionately known as Sgt ‘AKA Dink’ but nobody called him that to his face you
understand. He stood six foot four, broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip, weighed
245 lbs – and answered to the name ‘big les Ingham’: big bad Les hailed from Bury, a
mysterious place were dark satanic cotton mills in deepest Lancashire can be found
along its secluded cobbled streets. Once famously known for hosting the Annual World
‘Black Pudding Throwing’ Championship and establishment of ‘Peelers’ (original name
for police officers) [Editor: was born and bred - sumut se drug up bit scruf ut neck) in
Bury in 1946].
He stood erect and smart as a regimental button stick (or Pirbright dust bin – take your
pick) after climbing onto a dining room chair, towering above his ever-ready audience.
He raised his road-drillers arms and gestured to Eleven Platoon (nodded to Cpl Frank
O’Conner and the Late Geoff Thorner, two of his JNCOs) for silence! He had a staccato
bark of rasping command, a voice to make you sit to attention and start peeling
potatoes… “This is off the record”, he said. I want to introduce you to some wise words
now the Commanding Officer has retired to the River Tweed for a spot of fly-fishing. I
don’t give a fiddlers’ chuck about all that love thy neighbour bollocks. “Remember it’s
our regimental spirit and tradition at stake, trusting your mates in your ‘brick, multiple2
or section’ platoon or company is paramount. Moral can be summarised simply:
Confidence and Pride in one’s self.
Confidence and Pride in your leaders.
Confidence and Pride in the team.
They are all powerful factors in ensuring good morale, and must always be constantly
encouraged from my experience.” Said Sergeant Dink ops….I mean Les!
I’ll get straight to the point. Tomorrow you are going to a heavenly place called
Northern Ireland. A once thriving linen city called Belfast, to a hostile, miserable,
run-down district called New Lodge and adjacent Newington, in the beautiful
rain-sodden city. You don’t want to go but as Fusiliers you have been ordered to go and
you always obey the last order! Right!!
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“Right Sergeant” a loud response from the platoon listening eagerly and hanging on his
every word. Sgt Les said,” I can talk from experience having completed a twelve month
posting to 2 QUEEN’S Palace Barracks, Northern Ireland in 1969.”
You may not realise it but I adore every one of you (interpreted as professional respect).
My professional affection for you all is more than your own mothers! There were loud
snorts of laughter all round from the audience. Sgt Les ignored the distraction, stroked
his moustache lovingly (his pride and joy – his wife, his children and his dog names
‘Boots’ adored it), he cleared his throat and continued. I want to see every one of you
back here in one piece – do you understand me?
Yes! Sergeant, they roared in unison! Forget all that jolly fiddlesticks stuff, love thy
neighbour, extended hand of friendship and generosity.
The IRISH are a people enamoured by plucky underdog myths. Remember Cúchulainn
defending Ulster against Queen Maeve’s Connacht hordes; King Billy on his white horse
saving Ireland from Rome Rule and Ulster’s blood sacrifice at Gallipoli and the Somme
and not to be outdone modern Ireland rising like a phoenix from the death throes of the
1916 revolutionaries. A myth is open to a plethora of meanings, some paradoxical. “A
myth is like a gun for hire, a mercenary soldier: it can be made to fight for anyone,”
according to distinguished American scholar Wendy Doniger. In life, as with myths,
some things simultaneously can be true and untrue. For example, someone might be a
paramilitary leader – and take risks for peace. But, to be uncomfortably blunt, there is
no official Northern Ireland flag. Firstly, because Northern Ireland is not an independent
country, it is a region/constituency/state of the United Kingdom (the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Remember that although you will see many
hundreds of flags of all shapes and sizes representing each religious persuasion and
predominantly displayed in areas you are patrolling. Colours are highly significant in
Northern Ireland.
So armed with that illuminating background information I’ll now fill you in on a few new
facts? Be very careful; they’ve been murdering each other for the past hundred years
and probably for the next hundred. The only thing worse than the black, protestant
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bigotry is the wafer-thin piety of the Catholics. The Army only fights people about once
in a decade, other than the Irish minority who it has been fighting since Pontius was a
pilot. Huge cries of laughter erupt from the Fusiliers!
Remember (booby traps can be attractive also – innocuous military equipment, flags, a
stray unfired bullet, military torches, attractive signs or posters) don’t pick anything up
no matter how inviting, avoid derelict buildings, always tie everything on to your
equipment, always report anything you lose, never complain, do what you’re told and
you will go home at end of your tour. With that Sergeant Les picked up his pint glass
and drank from it. All eyes were on him now – what would he say next? He had their
complete and undivided attention! You could hear a pin drop in the ante-room.
Sgt Les continued (a veteran of Guyana, Hong Kong, Aldershot and survivor of
Sennebridge and Otterburn training areas) he knew a thing or two about peace keeping,
public order and internal security; they deserve each other and you are piggy in the
middle trying to keep the peace and order in communities that fundamentally dislike
each other. Don’t turn your back on anyone - never relax. Trust no one. I want no
heroes or John Wayne’s once deployed. That is an order!
There’s just one last thing to cheer you up, be very worried if a freckled faced, auburn
haired Irish Colleen with gorgeous green sparkling eyes gives you the come on – forget
it! You will have a celebrate four and a half months ahead of you; add the stench of fear,
guard duties, frustration, rough sleeping accommodation, endless patrolling and sleep
deprivation into the mix and there you have it! Four-half months of unadulterated fun!
And there’s more….in your patrol base you may find the occasional overseas
gentlemen, ‘Pakistani or Indian’ don’t be worried. Soldiers call them Choggies, officers
refer to them Sutlers. They are not members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)
E4A, MRF, MI5 sneaky beakies or Special Forces but gentlemen happy to flog you a
coffee or an ‘egg banjos’ 3
from his on-base portacabin shop ‘open all hours of the day
or night for your personal convenience. Remember they are your only friends; do not
attempt to call yourself Mickey Mouse or Roy Rogers, or Trigger when signing the red
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‘tick book’ – do I make myself clear, the resounding reply! “Yes Sgt”’ was the unanimous
enthusiastic response! No clever tactics like shouting Fire! Fire! And running off with the
red ‘tick book’ it’s all been done before so forget that cunning trick or others you might
be harbouring; do not try to get the Choggies to spell your name,
‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ – when you can’t! One wag whispered from the back
of the room, can you spell it Sergeant? Sergeant Les ignored the comment.
And my mother…yes I was young once - gave me some sound advice ’never scratch
an itch – it spreads diseases ’,Sergeant Les recalls; and then in a raised voice he
appeared to go ‘off message’ and said, ‘I’m looking for one grey haired former Fusilier
who stole the ‘red tick book’ from “B” Company Choggies shop, Armagh. If you are
hearing me, you Geordie git, I will find you! I know who you are and it should ring loudly
in your head! I know where you work, hiding in the vehicle inspection pit of Catterick
Garrison garages as a civil serpent – will not save you. You may run but you cannot
hide! With that, the whole anteroom burst into enthusiastic laughter and clapped loudly
at the same time spontaneously singing ‘man on the run!’ …and one final important
point!
You may hear of some unfortunate Fusiliers talking about Negligent Discharge (NDs)
should ring loudly in your cloth-like ears. NDs are not popular in the Army and I can
assure you it is no observer of rank or status! When you are tired ‘coming off or going
out on patrol’ always, always remember the ‘condition of your personal weapon’ you will
know and respect its condition always; loaded, unloaded etc. Whether at the
unloading/loading bay in base or completing a hot pursuit – always check the condition
of your weapon! Do that simple drill and it will save you hundreds of pounds in fines and
possibly save your best friend's life? There was a gasp from the audience – then total
silence!
Sgt Les reinforced the point. I recall resting on my bed in Glassmullan Camp,
Andersonstown when after a gunshot, a 9mm round embedded itself in the partition wall
above my head. Thinking we were under fire I instinctively picked up my rifle (SLR) and
ran for the outside door... only to find a close friend in shock staring at his 9mm pistol.
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Sergeant Andy was a weapon training instructor of many years’ experience and should
have known better.
‘Private Smith 62 where are you?’ shouted Sergeant Rick directly to the audience. ‘Here
Sergeant’, came back the reply! What did the SNCO do wrong enquired Sergeant
Rick? Private Smith 62 stammered ‘he forgot to check the condition of his pistol,
Sergeant; the result was a near miss on our fabulous platoon sergeant’. Spontaneous
laughter erupted from the audience. Sergeant Les waved his arms for silence; two
points Private Smith 62 well done and spot on! Second, it is no laughing matter and
think of this true account. It might save someone’s life one day! Commit to memory now
guys!
Safety Rule 1: It will not go bang if you do not squeeze the trigger. Enjoy yourselves
tonight men, tomorrow you could be dead tomorrow - ENDEX! Sergeant Les stepped
effortlessly off the chair. He left the room and his audience in total silence. The sucker
punch delivered expertly!
One soldier commented, ‘this is what I love about the Army. Whatever crap life throws
at you, however low morale, there’s always someone ready to crack a joke. In times of
adversary the banter sustains us. It puts everything into perspective’. Very true and they
spontaneously burst out into song and sang Monty Python’s "Always Look on the Bright
Side of Life".
HIDDEN QUESTION
To answer the hidden question, most soldiers in most Armies are tough. If there’s one
thing that gives the British soldier a robust edge, it’s that ability to derive humour from
adversity. We see that demonstrated repeatedly wherever they are based.
The soldiers' approach to the briefing summed up the attitude of the British Armed
Services. A fighting force that can retain its sense of humour in difficult circumstances
never lacks morale - whether they’re cold and wet, pinned down by enemy fire, or
clinging to the deck of a sinking ship. OK a little over the top!! Now let’s get to chuckin
work!
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Supporting Notes
COMMANDING OFFICER OF 2 RRF IN 1971:
1. The late Lieutenant-General Sir Jeremy Calcott Reilly KCB DSO (7 April 1934 – 1
January 2017) was a British Army officer who commanded 4th Armoured Division. He
was educated at Uppingham School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He
was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1954. Sir Jeremy’s
foresight into providing thorough pre-deployment training so early in the Northern
Ireland campaign is commendable. He instilled a sense of purpose and direction that
allowed in no small way a political process from armed conflict to peace be spawned.
His approach to achieving successful tactical outcomes, at least cost, was important in
order to reduce one’s own casualties and to encourage unit morale. The battalion
under his leadership achieved great success in the containment of terrorist activity
within allocated TAORs. Early adoption of the Manoeuvrist Approach core functions of
Find, Fix, Strike, and Exploit, and the importance of HUMINT and intelligence gathering
proved effective. Sadly there were casualties both in theatre and on the UK mainland.
EVOLUTION OF URBAN PATROLLING – NORTHERN IRELAND
2. Infantry tactics are the combination of military concepts and methods used by
infantry to achieve tactical objectives during combat. The role of the infantry on the
battlefield is, typically, to close with and engage the enemy, and hold territorial
objectives; infantry tactics are the means by which this is achieved.
Therefore.it will come as no surprise to know that in 1971, the Northern Ireland
campaign undertook a tactical transition moving away from the basic infantry section
formation to one of a gradual adoption of three bricks of four soldiers forming a multiple
patrol of twelve infantry. Patrol tactics showed a very rapid evolution in the early stages
of the campaign. Initially a typical patrol would be of section strength with soldiers
moving in file or single file. It rapidly became apparent that this was vulnerable
,particularly in urban settings, to a gunman engaging individual soldiers at short range
and making a quick getaway.to counter this action the introduction of multiple patrolling
in which a number of 4-men teams (three teams of 4-men called a multiple) on separate
routes would operate thereby restricting the gunman’s operations. The development of
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multiple patrols (structure and composition)was not simply to counter the gunman threat
it was also optimized to counter the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Patrol
equipment was deployed to protect individuals against threats at a given distance: to
protect the teams against the threat to greater distances and the multiple as a whole to
yet greater distances. Spacings were optimised to retain tactical control whilst reducing
vunnerabliity to explosions. For most of Operation BANNER multiple patrolling proved to
be an effective and relatively safe tactic. It should be noted that in other theatres the
structure of a section would revert to that prior to change threat and circumstances such
as general war scenarios.
THE AMBITIOUS EGG BANJO – AN EXPLANATION
3. Egg Banjos are so ingrained into the life of the Army that they warrant a detailed
explanation. The Egg Banjo is a sandwich made from (usually) half stale white bread,
spread on both insides with margarine and slotted in with at least one greasy fried egg,
preferably soft yolk to distribute better, covered with sauce of own choice, brown or
tomato (ketchup to the Spams).
It becomes a banjo when....the yolk and sauce dribble down the front of your combat
jacket You move the hand containing the sandwich away and up to a point level with
your ear as you look down your front and usually to an accompanying "Aw bollocks" you
wipe/smear the said yolk and sauce into your combat jacket with your free hand giving a
passing imitation of playing 'air banjo'
FUSILIERS IN BELFAST ONCE AGAIN
1st battalion XX The Lancashire Fusiliers earmarked for a posting
to Belfast from Glasgow in 1891’ Now where have we heard that
before in the Fusiliers long illustrious history?
Please find attached entries from a newspaper from 1891 as the
battalion departed to Belfast from Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow.
Some of the battalion were members of Lodge Maryhill, Glasgow
no510 a Masonic lodge closest to the barracks that had quite a
few military brothers as members.
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Submitted recently by Mr .Robert Nelson to XXth the Lancashire
Fusiliers website.
I have since uncovered what can only be described as a
movement order in today’s parlance.
Keeping short I can tell you that the 1st Bn LF left Maryhill
Barracks, Glasgow on Friday April 24th 1891 and embarked
aboard HMS `` Assistance ". They were landed at Belfast at 2 pm
Monday April 27th and the Bn were dispersed / posted as follows:
Four Companies, band and drums to Victoria Barracks (New
Lodge district of North Belfast), and four at WillowBank Barracks
with 39 men at Carrickfergus under the command of Lieutenant
C.L. Robinson. The Bn remained in Belfast until June 1st 1893
when they again embarked aboard HMS ''Assistance ". They
sailed on the 2nd and disembarked at Kingstown on the morning
of the 3rd reaching the Curragh at 1.30 pm that same day.
Of interest....... from April 22nd to 26th 1893 the Battalion was
engaged in assisting the civil authorities to suppress riots in the
street of Belfast......history to be repeated eh!!?
Above information from A History of the Lancashire Fusiliers
Volume 2 by Major B. Smyth M.V.O. dated 1904.
Researched by Mr. Geoff Pycroft the XXth Site researcher for
which the author is grateful.
MAJOR INCIDENT –THE BOMBING OF McGURK’S BAR NEW LODGE ON 4th
DECEMBER 1971
During the Second Fusiliers deployment to Belfast in 1971 they experienced many
sectarian incidents but one of the most momentous was the bombing of McGurk’s bar
on the Saturday 4th December 1971. It was of such scale that I have detailed the
incident in detail for your interest. The battalion searched bravely for survivors in the
rubble with their bare hands. The efforts of Fusiliers did much to forge tentative links
and gained respect from the Catholic community.
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McGurk's (also called the Tramore Bar) was a two-storey public house on the corner of
North Queen Street and Great George's Street, in the New Lodge area to the north of
Belfast city centre. This was a mainly Irish nationalist and Catholic neighbourhood, and
the pub's regular customers were from that community. The pub was owned by Patrick
and Philomena McGurk, who lived on the upper floor with their four children.
The Ulster Volunteer Force formed in Belfast in 1966, declaring war on the Irish
Republican Army (IRA) and anyone helping it. Until 1971, however, its actions were few
and it "scarcely existed in an organisational sense".The British Army was deployed in
Northern Ireland following the August 1969 riots, which are usually seen as the start of
the Troubles. In December 1969 the IRA split into two factions: the 'Official'
IRA and Provisional IRA. Both launched armed campaigns against the British Army, the
Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and the government of Northern Ireland.
During 1971, the violence gradually worsened. There were daily bombings and
shootings by republicans, loyalists and the security forces. During the first two weeks of
December, there were about 70 bombings and about 30 people were killed. On 2
December, three republican prisoners escaped from Crumlin Road prison, not far from
McGurk's. Security was tightened and there was heavy RUC and British Army presence
in the area over the next two days. Eyewitnesses asserted that the checkpoints around
McGurk's were removed just an hour before the attack.
The bombing
Plaque near the site of the bombing listing those killed
On the evening of Saturday 4 December 1971, a four-man UVF team met in
the Shankill area of Belfast and were ordered to bomb a pub on North Queen Street.
According to the only convicted bomber—Robert Campbell—they were told not to return
until the job was done. Campbell said that their target had not been McGurk's, but
another pub nearby. It is believed this was a pub called 'The Gem', which was allegedly
linked to the Official IRA The 50 pounds (23 kg) bomb was disguised as a brown parcel,
which they placed in a car and drove to their target. Campbell says they stopped near
'The Gem' at about 7:30pm, but could not gain access to it because there were security
guards outside. After waiting for almost an hour, they drove a short distance to
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McGurk's. At about 8:45pm, one of them placed the bomb in the porch entrance on
Great George's Street and rushed back to the car. It exploded just moments after they
drove off. Campbell implied that McGurk's had been chosen only because it was "the
nearest Catholic pub".
The blast caused the building to collapse. Bystanders immediately rushed to free the
dead and wounded from the rubble. Firefighters, paramedics, police and Fusiliers were
quickly on the scene. Fifteen Catholic civilians had been killed—including two
children—and a further seventeen wounded. The rescue effort lasted many hours.
Within two hours of the blast, a sectarian clash had erupted nearby at the New
Lodge–Tiger's Bay interface. The British Army and RUC moved in and a gun battle
developed. An Army officer, the late Major Jeremy Snow, RRF (OC “C” Company) was
fatally injured by the IRA on New Lodge Road and died of his wounds on 8 December
1971. Two RUC officers and five civilians were also wounded by gunfire. Eventually, five
companies of troops were sent into the district and they searched almost 50 houses.
The Fusiliers of “C” Company I recall were ordered to return to their base in Dunmore
Park as a mark of respect. RIP!