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The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th) (abbreviated as "R IRISH") was a regular infantry
Infantry

Infantry are soldiers who are primarily trained for the role of fighting on foot. A soldier in the infantry is known as an infantryman. Infantry units have more physically demanding training than other branches of armies, and place a greater emphasis on fitness, physical strength and aggression....
 regiment
Regiment

A regiment is a military unit, composed of variable numbers of battalions, commanded by a Colonel. Depending on the nation, military branch, mission, and organization, a modern regiment resembles a brigade, in that both range in size from a few hundred to 5,000 soldiers ....
 of the British Army
British Army

The British Army is the Army branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707....
.
Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1st July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three remaining Irish
Ireland

Ireland is the List of islands by area in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islet....
 infantry regiments.

The date was initially known as Vesting Day (and then Rangers Day), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were vested in the new "large regiment
Large regiment

A large regiment is a multi-battalion infantry formation of the British Army. First formed in the 1960s, large regiments are the result of the amalgamation of three or more existing single-battalion regiments, and perpetuate the traditions of each of the predecessor units....
".






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The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th) (abbreviated as "R IRISH") was a regular infantry
Infantry

Infantry are soldiers who are primarily trained for the role of fighting on foot. A soldier in the infantry is known as an infantryman. Infantry units have more physically demanding training than other branches of armies, and place a greater emphasis on fitness, physical strength and aggression....
 regiment
Regiment

A regiment is a military unit, composed of variable numbers of battalions, commanded by a Colonel. Depending on the nation, military branch, mission, and organization, a modern regiment resembles a brigade, in that both range in size from a few hundred to 5,000 soldiers ....
 of the British Army
British Army

The British Army is the Army branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707....
.

Creation

The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1st July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three remaining Irish
Ireland

Ireland is the List of islands by area in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world. It lies to the north-west of continental Europe and is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islet....
 infantry regiments.
  • The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
  • The Royal Ulster Rifles
    Royal Ulster Rifles

    The Royal Ulster Rifles was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army. It saw service in the First World War and the Second World War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968....
  • The Royal Irish Fusiliers
    Royal Irish Fusiliers

    The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, raised originally as 87 Prince of Wales's Irish Regiment of Foot in 1793 and later combined with The 89 Regiment in Cardwell Reforms....


The date was initially known as Vesting Day (and then Rangers Day), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were vested in the new "large regiment
Large regiment

A large regiment is a multi-battalion infantry formation of the British Army. First formed in the 1960s, large regiments are the result of the amalgamation of three or more existing single-battalion regiments, and perpetuate the traditions of each of the predecessor units....
". 1 July is also Somme Day
First day on the Somme

The first day on the Somme, 1 July 1916, was the opening day of the Battle of Albert , which was the first phase of the British Empire and France offensive that became known as the Battle of the Somme ....
; a preeminent day in military history for the whole island of Ireland.

Soon after creation in December 1968, and as part of a general reduction in the Army, the 3rd Battalion (former Royal Irish Fusiliers) was disbanded.

The three regiments had old and differing traditions (Rifle & Fusilier) and to avoid favouring one above another, a unique designation Rangers was adopted. The title had not existed in the British Army since 1922. The title is also used by the US Army
United States Army Rangers

The United States Army Rangers or simply Army Rangers are specialized, elite American Light Infantry special operations forces capable of conducting Direct action operations....
, Canada
Canadian Rangers

The Canadian Rangers are a reserve sub-component of the Canadian Forces, which provide a limited military presence in Canada's sparsely settled northern, coastal, and isolated areas....
, Ireland
Irish Army Rangers

The Irish Army Ranger Wing is the special forces unit of the Irish Defence Forces.The ARW trains and operates with many international special operations units worldwide, including the 75th Ranger Regiment , United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, Delta Force and United States Navy SEALs, French Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarme...
 and Pakistan
Pakistan Rangers

The Pakistan Rangers are a Paramilitary forces of Pakistan under the control of the ministory of interior government of pakistan.there are two parts...
.

With the creation of the Divisions of Infantry, the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the King's Division
King's Division

The King's Division is a British Army command, training and administrative apparatus designated for infantry regiments in the North of England. The King's Division was formed in 1968 with the union of the Lancastrian Brigade, Yorkshire Brigade and North Irish Brigade....
, along with regiments from the north of England. This continued until 1992 and Options for Change
Options for Change

Options for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in 1990, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War....
. The Ulster Defence Regiment
Ulster Defence Regiment

The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines as other British reserve forces but with the operational task of "guarding key points and installations, to carry out patrols and to establish check points and road blocks" against "armed guerilla-type attacks"....
 and The Royal Irish Rangers amalgamated to form The Royal Irish Regiment.

Uniform

Accommodating the traditions of the three regiments required compromise:
  • The caubeen
    Caubeen

    A caubeen is an Irish soldier's headdress, a variation on the beret or tam o'shanter. It is taken from the traditional Irish peasants' headdress....
     was adopted as the headdress for the new Regiment as all the former regiments had worn it
  • The green hackle
    Hackle

    The hackle is a feather plume that is attached to the headdress.In the British Army and the armies of some Commonwealth of Nations countries the hackle is worn by some infantry regiments, especially those designated fusilier regiments and those with Scotland and Northern Ireland origins....
     was formerly worn by the Royal Irish Fusiliers
  • The Castle collar badges had been worn by the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
  • The black buttons had been worn by the Royal Ulster Rifles
  • The brown cross belt was a compromise between the brown Sam Browne belt
    Sam Browne belt

    The Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder. It is most often seen as part of a military or police uniform....
    s worn by the Fusiliers and the black cross belt worn in the Rifles
  • The Great Irish Warpipes
    Great Irish Warpipes

    For list of All-Ireland War pipe champions see here: List of All-Ireland Champions#War pipes .28Piob Mh.C3.B3r.29The Great Irish Warpipes, also called The Bagpipes, or The Pipes, , are an instrument that in modern practice is identical, and historically was analogous or identical to the Great Highland Bagpipe....
     carried by the Royal Ulster Rifles
    Royal Ulster Rifles

    The Royal Ulster Rifles was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army. It saw service in the First World War and the Second World War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968....
     pipers and the Brian Boru Pipes
    Brian Boru bagpipes

    The Brian Boru bagpipe was invented and patented in 1908 by Henry Starck, an instrument maker , in London, in consultation with William O'Duane....
     carried by the The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers pipers were abandoned in favour of the Great Highland Bagpipe
    Great Highland Bagpipe

    The Great Highland Bagpipe is probably the best-known variety of bagpipe. Abbreviated GHB, and commonly referred to simply as "the pipes", they have historically taken numerous forms in Scotland....
    , which thus became standardised throughout the British Army.
  • The badges of the three regiments were worn on the kilts of the regimental pipers.


Service

The Rangers served in, inter alia, the following places:

  • Northern Ireland. 1 R IRISH first in 1989 and 2 R IRISH in 1991. This overcame resistance to the Regiment serving in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles although most officers and many NCOs
    Non-commissioned officer

    A non-commissioned officer , also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted rank member of an armed force who has been given authority by a officer ....
     had traditionally completed operational tours with other regiments.
  • BAOR. At amalgamation 1 R IRISH was in Osnabruck and 2 R IRISH in Lemgo
    Lemgo

    Lemgo is a city in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of c. 42,000.It was founded in the 12th century by Bernhard II at the crossroad of two merchant routes....
    .
  • USA. Including a visit in the mid-1970s to Washington DC when one Ranger with a knowledge of military history recalled the last visit in 1812
    War of 1812

    The War of 1812, between the United States of America and the British Empire , was fought from 1812 to 1815.There were several immediate stated causes for the U.S....
     when Irish ancestors had burned the White House
    White House

    The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., it was built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the late Georgian architecture and has been the executive residence of every U.S....
     down.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country on the Balkans peninsula of South Eastern Europe with an area of 51,129 square kilometres . Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the south, Bosnia and Herzegovina is Landlocked#Nearly landlocked, except for 26 kilometres of the Adriatic Sea coas...
    . As part of the first UK deployment
    Bosnian War

    The War in Bosnia and Herzegovina, commonly known as the Bosnian War, was an international armed conflict that took place between March 1992 and November 1995....
     and as reinforcements to the Cheshire Regiment
    Cheshire Regiment

    The Cheshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division.The regiment was created in 1881 as part of the Childers reforms by the linking of the 22nd Regiment of Foot and the militia and Volunteer Force of Cheshire....
    .
  • The Falkland Islands. Immediately after the 1982 war
    Falklands War

    The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands....
    ; no line infantry
    Line infantry

    In the United Kingdom, Infantry of the Line or Line Infantry refers to the soldiers forming the bulk of any dismounted force, as distinct from Foot Guards, light infantry and more recently, special operations forces....
     regiments fought in the conflict.


Options for Change

Under this reorganisation, the Royal Irish Rangers were amalgamated with the Ulster Defence Regiment
Ulster Defence Regiment

The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines as other British reserve forces but with the operational task of "guarding key points and installations, to carry out patrols and to establish check points and road blocks" against "armed guerilla-type attacks"....
 to form the new The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment).

Territorial Army

The name of the Royal Irish Rangers was maintained through the Territorial Army
Territorial Army

The Territorial Army is the volunteer Military reserve force of the British Army, the army of the United Kingdom, and composed mostly of part-time soldiers paid at a similar rate, while engaged on military activities, as their Regular equivalents....
 battalion in Northern Ireland, which nominally exists to augment the Royal Irish Regiment's ORBAT, but can be deployed in support of any regular unit. In 2007, following the disbanding of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, the Royal Irish Rangers TA were renamed as the new 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment.

Roll of Honour


Post 1968

  • 1972. Ranger William J Best – 1 R IRISH. A 19 year old on leave from Germany, abducted from his mother's home in the Creggan
    Creggan

    Creggan can refer to:*Creggan, County Armagh, a small village in Northern Ireland.*Creggan, County Tyrone, a townland in Northern Ireland.*Creggan, Derry, a large housing estate in Derry, Northern Ireland....
    , Derry
    Derry

    Derry or Londonderry , often called the Maiden City, is a City status in the United Kingdom in Northern Ireland....
     and killed by the OIRA
    Official IRA

    The Official Irish Republican Army or Official IRA is one of the two organisations—the other being the Provisional Irish Republican Army—that emerged from the split in the Irish Republican Army in 1969?70....
    .
  • 19 July 1972. Staff Sergeant
    Staff Sergeant

    Staff Sergeant is a Military rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company....
     Talaiasi Labalaba BEM
    BEM

    BEM may refer to:People:* Bem Le Hunte , an author who has published internationally* Daryl Bem, a noted social psychologist at Cornell University...
    , MID – 2 R IRISH (attached 22 SAS
    Special Air Service

    The Special Air Service is a special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model for the special forces of other countries....
    ). During Battle of Mirbat
    Battle of Mirbat

    The Battle of Mirbat took place on 19 July 1972 during the Dhofar Rebellion in Oman, which was supported by Communist Guerrilla warfares from South Yemen....
    .
  • Major
    Major

    In many European languages, the term Major refers to a military rank, denoting seniority at one of usually various levels of rank, for example: "Sergeant-Major" denoting the most senior ranking sergeant of a large military unit; "Captain-Major", denoting a mid-level command status Officer ...
     D P Farrell MBE
    MBE

    MBE can stand for:* Member of the Order of the British Empire* Mail Boxes Etc.* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business and Engineering...
     – 1 R IRISH (Retired). Shot dead by the OIRA when he was walking his dog near his home in Tyrone
    Tyrone

    The name Tyrone can refer to:*County Tyrone, a county in Northern Ireland, roughly corresponding to the ancient kingdom of T?r Eogain*An Earl of Tyrone...
    .
  • 12th April 1974. Captain S Garthwaite MID - attached 22 SAS
    Special Air Service

    The Special Air Service is a special forces regiment within the British Army which has served as a model for the special forces of other countries....
    . Oman
    Dhofar Rebellion

    The Dhofar Rebellion was launched in the province of Dhofar against the Oman, which had UK support, from 1962 to 1975. It ended with the defeat of the rebels, but the state of Oman had to be radically reformed and modernized to cope with the campaign....
    .
  • 6th December 1977. Ranger Charles George McLaughlin and Ranger Hugh Thompson - 1 R IRISH. Died on Fire Fighting duties in Manchester during the firemen's strike (Operation BURBERRY).
  • 28th December 1980. Warrant Officer Class 2 Hugh McGinn – 5 (V) R IRISH. Shot by the Irish National Liberation Army
    Irish National Liberation Army

    The Irish National Liberation Army is an Irish republican, left-wing paramilitary organisation which was formed on 8 December, 1974.Sharing a common Marxist ideology with the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, it enjoyed its peak of influence in the late 1970s and early 1980s and is now one of a number of small armed republican groups in...
     at the door of his home in Armagh
    Armagh

    The city of Armagh is an ancient religious site of worship of both Celtic paganism and Christianity, the oldest of the five City status in the United Kingdom in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh....
    .
  • Sergeant
    Sergeant

    Sergeant is a Military rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
     Trevor A Elliot - 5(V) R IRISH. Shot by Provisional Irish Republican Army
    Provisional Irish Republican Army

    The Provisional Irish Republican Army , is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation that considers itself a direct continuation of the Irish Republican Army that fought in the Irish War of Independence....
     (PIRA) in Keady
    Keady

    Keady is a small town in County Armagh in Northern Ireland, south of Armagh city and very close to the border with the Republic of Ireland. The town had a population of 2,960 people in the United Kingdom Census 2001....
  • 9th May 1984. Corporal
    Corporal

    Corporal is a Military rank in use in some form by most militaries and also by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to Ranks and insignia of NATO....
     Trevor May - 4(V) R IRISH. Killed in Newry
    Newry

    Newry is the fourth-largest City status in the United Kingdom in Northern Ireland and eighth on the island of Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, forms the historic border between County Armagh and County Down: Newry was included entirely in the latter by the Local Government Act 1898....
     when an Improvised explosive device
    Improvised explosive device

    An improvised explosive device is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. They may be partially comprised of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery round, attached to a detonating mechanism....
     placed under a car exploded.
  • 9 October 1989. Lance Corporal
    Lance Corporal

    Lance Corporal is a military rank, used by many armed forces worldwide, and also by some police forces and other uniformed organizations. It is below the rank of Corporal, and is typically the lowest Non-commissioned officer or enlisted rank, usually equivalent to the Ranks and insignia of NATO....
     Tommy Gibson – 4(V) R IRISH. Killed by PIRA in Kilrea
    Kilrea

    Kilrea is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, close to the boundary with County Antrim. In the United Kingdom Census 2001 it had a population of 1,513 people....
    .
  • 24th October 1990. Ranger Cyril J Smith QGM - 2 R IRISH. Killed when attempting to release a man tied to a proxy bomb
    Proxy Bomb

    The proxy bomb was a tactic used by the Provisional Irish Republican Army for a short time in the early 1990s, whereby people were forced to drive car bombs into United Kingdom military targets....
     - his car - driven into a Border checkpoint
    Border checkpoint

    A border checkpoint is, as its name suggests, a place on the List of land border lengths between two states where the travellers and / or goods are inspected....
     at Killeen
    Killeen

    Killeen may refer to:* Killeen, County Cork* Killeen, Texas* Killeen, County Armagh, a small village in Northern Ireland* Killeen, County Down, a townland in County Down, Northern Ireland...
     near Newry
    Newry

    Newry is the fourth-largest City status in the United Kingdom in Northern Ireland and eighth on the island of Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, forms the historic border between County Armagh and County Down: Newry was included entirely in the latter by the Local Government Act 1898....
    . The man's family were held hostage in their home.
  • 17 January 1992. Ranger Robert Dunseath – 4 R IRISH. Killed in a land mine
    Land mine

    A land mine is an explosive device designed to be placed on or in the ground to explode when triggered by an operator or the proximity of a vehicle, person, or animal....
     attack at Teebane
    The Troubles in Cookstown (Tyrone)

    The Troubles in Cookstown recounts incidents during, and the effects of, The Troubles in Cookstown, County Tyrone, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland....
     Crossroads, near Cookstown
    Cookstown

    Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
    , County Tyrone
    County Tyrone

    County Tyrone is the second largest of the nine Irish county of Ulster and the largest of the six counties of Northern Ireland. It has an area of 3,155 square kilometres ....
    .


Victoria Cross (pre-1968 Regiments)

Recipients of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration which is, or has been, awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth of Nations countries, and previous British Empire territories....
:
Victoria Cross Medal Ribbon & Bar
* Lieutenant Hugh Stewart Cochrane
Hugh Stewart Cochrane

Colonel Hugh Stewart Cochrane Victoria Cross was a recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions, as a 28 year old Lieutenant, during the Indian Mutiny....
. 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot

The 86th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into The Royal Irish Rifles in Cardwell Reforms....
. 1858. Jhansi
Jhansi

Jhansi is a city of Uttar Pradesh state of northern India. Jhansi is a major road and rail junction, and is the administrative seat of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division....
 (Indian Mutiny).
  • Captain H E Jerome
    Henry Edward Jerome

    Henry Edward Jerome was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations forces....
    . 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
    86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot

    The 86th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into The Royal Irish Rifles in Cardwell Reforms....
    . 1858. Jhansi
    Jhansi

    Jhansi is a city of Uttar Pradesh state of northern India. Jhansi is a major road and rail junction, and is the administrative seat of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division....
     (Indian Mutiny).
  • Private James Byrne
    James Byrne

    James Byrne may refer to:* James Byrne , Australian rules footballer* James Byrne , Irish traditional musician* James Byrne , Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross...
    . 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
    86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot

    The 86th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into The Royal Irish Rifles in Cardwell Reforms....
    . 1858. Jhansi
    Jhansi

    Jhansi is a city of Uttar Pradesh state of northern India. Jhansi is a major road and rail junction, and is the administrative seat of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division....
     (Indian Mutiny).
  • Private James Pearson. 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
    86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot

    The 86th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into The Royal Irish Rifles in Cardwell Reforms....
    . 1858. Jhansi
    Jhansi

    Jhansi is a city of Uttar Pradesh state of northern India. Jhansi is a major road and rail junction, and is the administrative seat of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division....
     (Indian Mutiny).
  • Private Robert Morrow
    Robert Morrow

    Robert Morrow Victoria Cross was born in Newmills, Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland and was an Irish people recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations forces....
    . 1st Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
    Royal Irish Fusiliers

    The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, raised originally as 87 Prince of Wales's Irish Regiment of Foot in 1793 and later combined with The 89 Regiment in Cardwell Reforms....
    . 1915. Messines
    Battle of Messines

    The Battle of Messines was a battle of the Western Front of World War I. It began on 7 June 1917 when the United Kingdom Second Army under the command of Herbert Plumer, 1st Viscount Plumer launched an offensive near the village of Mesen in West Flanders, Belgium....
    .
  • Captain Gerald Robert O'Sullivan
    Gerald Robert O'Sullivan

    Gerald Robert O'Sullivan Victoria Cross was an Ireland recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations forces....
    . 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1915 Gallipoli
    Battle of Gallipoli

    The Gallipoli Campaign took place at Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916, during the World War I. A joint British Empire and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman Empire capital of Constantinople , and secure a sea route to Russia....
    .
  • Sergeant James Somers
    James Somers

    James Somers Victoria Cross He was 31 years old, and a sergeant in the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, British Army during the World War I when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC....
    . 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1915 Gallipoli
    Battle of Gallipoli

    The Gallipoli Campaign took place at Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916, during the World War I. A joint British Empire and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman Empire capital of Constantinople , and secure a sea route to Russia....
    .
  • Captain Edward William Derrington Bell
    Edward William Derrington Bell

    Edward William Derrington Bell was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations forces....
    . 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1916 Thiepval.
  • Rifleman William McFadzean
    William Frederick McFadzean

    William Frederick McFadzean Victoria Cross was born in Lurgan, County Armagh. He was a Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross....
    . 1st Bn Royal Irish Rifles. 1916. Thiepval.
  • Rifleman Robert Quigg
    Robert Quigg

    Robert Quigg Victoria Cross was a recipient of the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War....
    . 12th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. 1916. Hamel
    Hamel

    Hamel may refer to:* Hamel, Western Australia, town* Hamel, Nord, a commune of the Nord d?partement, in northern France* Beaumont-Hamel, a commune of the Somme d?partement, in northern France...
    , Somme.
  • Lieutenant Geoffrey St George Shillington Cather. 9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
    Royal Irish Fusiliers

    The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, raised originally as 87 Prince of Wales's Irish Regiment of Foot in 1793 and later combined with The 89 Regiment in Cardwell Reforms....
    . 1916. Hamel
    Hamel

    Hamel may refer to:* Hamel, Western Australia, town* Hamel, Nord, a commune of the Nord d?partement, in northern France* Beaumont-Hamel, a commune of the Somme d?partement, in northern France...
    , Somme.
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Sherwood-Kelly
    John Sherwood-Kelly

    John Sherwood Kelly Victoria Cross Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations forces....
     CMG
    Order of St Michael and St George

    The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV of the United Kingdom whilst he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III of the United Kingdom....
     DSO
    DSO

    DSO may stand for:*Distinguished Service Order - A Military Decoration of the United Kingdom and CommonwealthMusical Groups:*Dallas Symphony Orchestra...
    . 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1917. Marcoing, Cambrai
    Battle of Cambrai

    The 'Battle of Cambrai' was a United Kingdom campaign of World War I. Noted for the first successful use of tanks in a combined arms operation, the British attack demonstrated that the Hindenburg Line could be penetrated, while the German counter attack showed the value of new infantry tactics that would later be part of the Spring Offensive...
    .
  • Second Lieutenant J S Emerson
    James Samuel Emerson

    James Samuel Emerson Victoria Cross was was a British Army, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, during the First World War....
    . 9th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1917. Cambrai
    Battle of Cambrai

    The 'Battle of Cambrai' was a United Kingdom campaign of World War I. Noted for the first successful use of tanks in a combined arms operation, the British attack demonstrated that the Hindenburg Line could be penetrated, while the German counter attack showed the value of new infantry tactics that would later be part of the Spring Offensive...
    .
  • Private James Duffy
    James Duffy (VC)

    James Duffy was a British Army soldier during the First World War, and an Ireland recipient of the Victoria Cross....
    . 6th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1917. Kareina Peak
    Sinai and Palestine Campaign

    The Sinai and Palestine Campaign during the Middle Eastern Theatre of World War I was a series of battles which took place on the Sinai Peninsula, Palestine, and Syria between January 28, 1915 and October 28, 1918....
    .
  • Second Lieutenant Edmund De Wind
    Edmund De Wind

    Edmund De Wind, Victoria Cross was a British Army during the World War I, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross....
    . 15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. 1918. Grugies, France.
  • Lance Corporal Ernest Seaman
    Ernest Seaman

    Ernest Seaman Victoria Cross Military Medal was an England recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations forces....
    . 2nd Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1918. Terhand
    Terhand

    Terhand is a tiny hamlet approximately 12 km east of Ypres in Belgium.The village consists of about 40 houses with a small street running through the middle of them....
    , Belgium.
  • Private Norman Harvey
    Norman Harvey

    Norman Harvey Victoria Cross was a British Army, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, during the First World War. He re-enlisted in World War II and was killed in action....
    . 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

    The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
    . 1918. Ingoyghem Belgium.


Music of the Regiment


Regimental Quick March

The Regimental Quick March is Killaloe. It was written around 1887 by an Irish composer, Robert Martin, for the London Musical "Miss Esmeralda". The lyrics relate the story of a French teacher attempting to make himself understood to a difficult Killaloe class. Originally in 2/4 time, it was made well known in military circles by a cousin of the composer - Lt. Charles Martin of the 88th Connaught Rangers (The Devil's Own). He composed new lyrics, in 6/8 time
6/8 time

6/8 time is a time signature in Western musical notation which dictates that each bar must consist of six quaver beats. It is made up of two dotted crochet beats per bar, and as such the pulse falls on the first quaver beat and the fourth quaver beat ....
, celebrating his Regiment's fame. No mention is made of the tune in the Regimental history, but there is an explanation that may account for the shout or yell in the military version of Killaloe.
Historically, in the lst. Battalion (Connaught Rangers), formerly the 88th, a favourite march tune was "Brian Boru" played when marching through a town - often after a hot and heavy march. On such occasions, and at a time given by the Sergeant Major, the Band would pause and all ranks would give a "Connaught Yell". The march became popular among the other Irish Regiments and various other sets of lyrics were devised (see Killaloe
Killaloe

Killaloe may refer to:*Killaloe, County Clare, Ireland*Diocese of Killaloe, County Clare, Ireland*Killaloe, Ontario, Canada*Killaloe March, Regimental music of the Royal Irish Regiment...
 page) Killaloe is unique. It is the only march the soldiers join in with. On parade they give a spine-tingling "Ranger Yell"; this continues with the Royal Irish Regiment.
The first known recording of Killaloe was made by Richard Dimbleby
Richard Dimbleby

Richard Dimbleby Order of the British Empire was an England journalist and Presenter widely acknowledged as one of the greatest figures in British broadcasting history....
 when serving as a BBC war correspondent in Northern France shortly before Dunkirk
Operation Dynamo

The Dunkirk evacuation, codenamed Operation Dynamo by the British, was the evacuation of Allied Forces from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, France, between May 26 and June 4 1940, when British, French and Canadian troops were cut off by the German army during the Battle of Dunkirk in the World War II....
. The "Famous Irish Regiment" Dimbleby reports playing as they march past is not named, but would have been either the Royal Irish Fusiliers or the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Again in 1944, the BBC recorded The 1st. Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Pipes & Drums playing Killaloe, by then adopted unofficially as the march of the 38th (Irish) Brigade, during the approach to Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino

The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies of World War II with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome....
. Killaloe was adopted by The Royal Irish Rangers on its formation and again later by the Royal Irish Regiment on its amalgamation in 1992.
The soldiers had their own words to the tune which would be sung, sotto voce, as they marched:


To hear the tune visit:

Regimental Slow March

Previously the March of the Royal Innskilling Fusiliers, Eileen Alannah is an Irish ballad
Ballad

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative story and set to music. Ballads were characteristic of particularly British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the nineteenth century and used extensively across Europe and later north America, Australia and north Africa....
. It is available as sheet-music. The lyrics.:

Tercentenary

At the Tercentenary parade celebrated in Osnabruck in 1989, the Irish Rangers were able to parade a combined band from 1 & 2 R IRISH together with the Bugles, Pipers & Drums from both.

Recorded music

The Band, Bugles, Pipes & Drums have released CDs including and

Lineage

|-style="text-align: center; background: #c4df9b;" | align="center" colspan="4"|Lineage |- | width="25%" rowspan="6" align="center"| The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th)
Royal Irish Rangers

The Royal Irish Rangers was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army....
 | width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot ....
 | width="25%" align="center"| The 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot
27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot

The 27th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1689 and amalgamated into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Cardwell Reforms....
 |- | width="25%" align="center"| The 108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)
108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)

The 108th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1862 to 1881, when it was amalgamated into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers....
 |- | width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| The Royal Ulster Rifles
Royal Ulster Rifles

The Royal Ulster Rifles was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army. It saw service in the First World War and the Second World War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968....
 | width="25%" align="center"| 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot |- | width="25%" align="center"| The 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot

The 86th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into The Royal Irish Rifles in Cardwell Reforms....
 |- | width="25%" rowspan="2" align="center"| The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)
Royal Irish Fusiliers

The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Ireland infantry regiment of the British Army, raised originally as 87 Prince of Wales's Irish Regiment of Foot in 1793 and later combined with The 89 Regiment in Cardwell Reforms....
 | width="25%" align="center"| The 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot
87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot

The 87th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1793 and amalgamated into the Princess Victoria's in 1881....
 |- | width="25%" align="center"| The 89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot

External links