Northern Ireland - Aldergrove 1985 – 1988

The battalion returned to the province in November 1985, being stationed at Alexander Barracks, Aldergrove. 

Its arrival coincided with a new IRA campaign against RUC police stations near to the border and the overall operational situation that greeted the battalion was somewhat worse than had been expected.  

Although the first two months were quite but battalions activity was not.  During December the battalion had detachments as far dispersed as Dungannon and Belfast.

In December despite the small contingent available the Battle of Ferozeshah was commemorated in the normal way with the colours being deposited with the WO and Sergeants. Mess.

The battalion itself came under a terrorist mortar attack at Dungannon in January 1986 when Company Headquarters received a direct hit from a number of mortar rounds.

Four members of ‘A’ Company tried to take cover under one bed. There were no serious casualties although a number of men were buried under rubble and rendered unconscious.  

With Easter came the start of the ‘marching season’ which enabled the battalion to deploy as a single entity for the first time to Belfast during the tour.

During 1986 the companies from the battalion made substantial finds of vehicle borne bombs, weapons and explosives.

During its first twelve months in the Province companies and platoons of the battalion deployed to some fifty different locations, earning the title ‘rent-a-troop’.

Despite all this training continued and sporting activity was maintained. This pace of life continued into 1987 until mortar attacks were resumed on Battalion locations at Kinawley on the 19th March and on the 12th April at Belcoo. Further attacks followed with continuous deployment.  

Between July and September the battalion was re-equipped with the Army’s new personal weapon, The Small Arms 80 (or’SA80’), which fired a 5.56 millimetre round and was fitted with an optical sight.

On Sunday 8th November ‘B’ Company were in Enniskillen when the IRA detonated a huge bomb alongside the war memorial, just minutes before the annual remembrance parade.

Eleven civilians were killed and hundreds injured. The company assisted as much as possible both during the day and the days that followed. At the end of 1987 the battalion went on leave to prepare for the move to Hong Kong.   

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Regimental Journals Published in Aldergrove, during this posting

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Dragon Vlys Published in Aldergrove, during this posting

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Some photos from the Battalion's time in Aldergrove

 

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