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{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
The '''Royal Irish Rangers 27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th''' was an [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]]. It was formed in [[1968]] by the amalgamation of the three remaining [[Ireland|Irish]] infantry regiments:
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
*The [[Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]]
{{Infobox military unit
*The [[Royal Ulster Rifles]]
|unit_name= Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd & 87th)
*The [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]]
|image=
|caption=Cap badge of the Royal Irish Rangers
|dates= 1 July 1968 – 1992
|country= {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|branch=[[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]
|type= [[Line infantry]]
|size= On disbandment, 2 Regular battalions & 1 TA Battalion
|current_commander=
|garrison= [[St Patrick's Barracks]], [[Ballymena]]
|ceremonial_chief= First: [[Field Marshal]] [[Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester]], [[Earl of Ulster]]<br />Last: [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester|The Duchess of Gloucester]] (1989 - until amalgamation)
|ceremonial_chief_label= Colonel in Chief
|colonel_of_the_regiment= First - Lieutenant General [[Ian Harris (British Army officer)|Sir Ian Harris]].<br /> Last - Lt. Col. [[Alan Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough|The 3rd Viscount Brookeborough]]
|colonel_of_the_regiment_label= Honorary Colonel
|nickname= "Rangers"
|motto= ''[[Faugh A Ballagh]]'' ([[Irish language|Irish]]) (Clear the Way)
|colours= Green<br /><small>From Royal Irish Fusiliers</small>
|identification_symbol=R.IRISH
|identification_symbol_label=Abbreviation
|march=Quick: ''[[Killaloe March|Killaloe]]''<br />Slow: ''Eileen Alannagh''
|mascot=[[Irish Wolfhound]] ''Brian Boru''
|battles= [[Battle of Barrosa|Barrosa]]<br />[[Battle of Waterloo|Waterloo]]<br />[[Battle of the Somme (1916)|Somme]]
|notable_commanders= [[General]] [[Roger Wheeler (British Army officer)|Sir Roger Wheeler]], [[Grand Cross in the Order of the Bath|GCB]], [[CBE]]. Former [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|CGS]]<br />Brigadier MCV McCord [[Military Cross|MC]]<br />[[David O'Morchoe|The O'Morochoe]]
|anniversaries=Barrosa Day, 5 March; Somme Day, Waterloo Day, Rangers Day 1 July
}}


The '''Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th)''' was a regular [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]] with a relatively short existence, formed in 1968 and later merged with the [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] in 1992 to form the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]].
These three regiments together made up the '''North Irish Brigade''', which was unique in the army at that time in containing regiments of different designations, in this case '''fusiliers''' and '''rifles'''; this made the decisions on amalgamation more difficult than those of the other large regiments formed at the time.
*[[The Queen's Regiment|Queen's Regiment]]
*[[Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]]
*[[Royal Anglian Regiment]]
*[[The Light Infantry|Light Infantry]]
*[[Royal Green Jackets]]


==History==
The discussions between the commanders led to the decision that neither title should be favoured, and that a unique regiment with the designation '''rangers''' being adopted, a title that had not existed in the British Army since [[1922]] (see [[Connaught Rangers]]).
===Creation===
The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1 July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three regiments of the [[North Irish Brigade]]: the [[Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]], the [[Royal Ulster Rifles]] and the [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]].<ref name=rir>{{cite web | title = History | url = http://royalirishrangers.co.uk/hist.html | publisher = The Royal Irish Rangers | access-date = 10 July 2016 | archive-date = 12 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412094500/http://royalirishrangers.co.uk/hist.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> 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.<ref name=rir/> 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.<ref name=regiments>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/027Rangr.htm |title=Royal Irish Rangers |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=10 July 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123220640/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/027Rangr.htm |archive-date=23 January 2008 }}</ref> The three regiments had old and differing traditions (Rifle and Fusilier) and to avoid favouring one above another, the unique designation "Rangers" was adopted. The title had not existed in the British Army [[Connaught Rangers|since 1922]].<ref name=rir/> With the creation of the "Divisions of Infantry", the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the [[King's Division]], along with regiments from the north of England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/968king.htm |title=The King's Division |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=10 July 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214220421/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/968king.htm |archive-date=14 December 2007 }}</ref>


===Deployments===
The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1st July 1968, a date initially known as '''Vesting Day''' (and then '''Ranger Day'''), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were ''vested'' in the new.
The 1st Battalion moved to Barrosa Barracks in [[Hemer]], [[Germany]] in September 1970 from where units were deployed to [[Cyprus]] on peace-keeping duties in November 1971.<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-irish-rangers.html|title=Royal Irish Rangers|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> The battalion returned home in July 1974 where it was stationed in [[Battlesbury Barracks]] in [[Warminster]] it became the infantry demonstration Battalion. Two years later it moved to [[RAF Little Rissington]] in the [[Cotswolds]], before being sent to [[Berlin]] in May 1979.<ref name=bau/> After returning home in April 1981 the battalion moved to Chester bfor 2 yrs before moving to Belfast Barracks in [[Osnabrück]] in January 1985.<ref name=bau/> The battalion undertook a deployment to [[Northern Ireland]] during [[the Troubles]] in September 1988.<ref name=bau/>
*The [[caubeen]] was adopted as the headdress for the new Regiment as all the former regiments had worn it
*The green [[hackle]] 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 belts]] worn by the Fusiliers and the black cross belt worn in the Rifles
*The [[Great Irish Warpipes]] carried by the [[Royal Ulster Rifles]] pipers and the [[Brian Boru bagpipes|Brian Boru Pipes]] carried by the [[The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]] pipers were abandoned in favor of the [[Great Highland Bagpipe]], which thus became standardized throughout the British Army.


The 2nd Battalion, which had been based in [[Gibraltar]] on formation, returned home in October 1969.<ref name=bau/> It moved to Barrosa Barracks in Hemer in July 1974 from where it deployed to Cyprus in January 1975.<ref name=bau/> After returning home in March 1979, it moved to Wavell Barracks in [[Berlin]] in October 1981 and back to England in March 1983.<ref name=bau/> It deployed to Cyprus in May 1985 and to the [[Falkland Islands]] in March 1987.<ref name=bau/>
The reorganisation of the infantry at that time meant that the new regiment would immediately lose one battalion, with the 3rd Battalion (former Royal Irish Fusiliers) being disbanded in December 1968.


===Options for change===
With the creation of the '''Divisions of Infantry''', the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the [[King's Division]], along with regiments from the north of [[England]]. This continued until [[1991]] and [[Options for Change]]. Under this reorganisation, the Royal Irish Rangers were amalgamated with the [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] to form the new [[The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)]].
Under the [[Options for Change]] reorganisation, the Royal Irish Rangers were amalgamated with the [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] to form the new [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)]] in 1992.<ref name=regiments/>
During the [[troubles]] the Royal Irish Rangers did not deploy to northern Ireland ( unlike all other British infantry regiments ) and were therefore seen as relatively non-sectarian and continued to recruit a significant proportion of Roman Catholics. In contrast the Ulster Defence Regiment served in a para-military role within Northern Ireland, and seen as being sectarian. The amalgamation was therefore presentated as move towards a non-sectarian militry structure for Northern Ireland.
Today, the name of the Royal Irish Rangers continues through the [[Territorial Army]] battalion in Northern Ireland, which nominally exists to fill gaps in the Royal Irish Regiment's [[ORBAT]], but can be deployed in support of any regular unit. With the announcement that all the home service battalions will be disbanded on the 1st August 2007, it has been suggested that the Royal Irish Rangers may be renamed the Royal Irish Regiment, to move in line with its regular counterpart.


==Uniform==
[[File:Irish Ranger.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ranger uniforms]]
Accommodating the traditions of the three regiments required compromise:
* The [[caubeen]] was adopted as the headdress for the new Regiment as all the former regiments had worn it<ref name=rir/>
* The green [[hackle]] was formerly worn by the [[Royal Irish Fusiliers]]<ref name=rir/>
* The Castle collar badges had been worn by the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers<ref name=rir/>
* The black buttons had been worn by the Royal Ulster Rifles<ref name=rir/>
* The brown cross belt was a compromise between the brown [[Sam Browne belt]]s worn by the Fusiliers and the black cross belt worn in the Rifles<ref name=rir/>
In addition all ranks of the new regiment were to wear 'piper green' trousers.<ref name=rir/>

==Territorial Army==
The Territorial battalions formed the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rangers (North Irish Militia) which also included the sole [[London Irish Rifles]] company and the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rangers. The two TA battalions trained as units until 1993 when following the [[Options for Change]] White Paper, they were merged to form the 4/5th Battalion Royal Irish Rangers (Volunteers).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-ireland/vinf/67RAN-45.htm|title=4th/5th (V) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rangers|publisher=Regiments.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060330142312/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-ireland/vinf/67RAN-45.htm|access-date=4 June 2021|archive-date=30 March 2006}}</ref>

==Roll of honour==
=== Post 1968 ===

*21 May 1972. Ranger William J Best – 1 R IRISH. A 19-year-old on leave from [[BAOR|Germany]], abducted from his mother's home in [[Derry]] and killed by the OIRA.<ref name=roll>{{cite web|url=https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/4772/royal-irish-rangers|title=Roll of Honour|publisher=Royal Irish Rangers|access-date=13 August 2020}}</ref>
*19 July 1972. Staff Sergeant [[Talaiasi Labalaba]] [[British Empire Medal|BEM]], [[Mentioned in Despatches|MID]] – 2 R IRISH (attached [[Special Air Service|22 SAS]]). During [[Battle of Mirbat]] in Oman.<ref>{{AFM roll of honour|id=X9129|name=Labalaba, Talaiasi|access-date=23 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=roll/>
*23 March 1974. Major D P Farrell [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] – 1 R IRISH (Retired). Shot dead by the OIRA when he was walking his dog near his home in Mountfield, near [[Omagh]], [[County Tyrone]].<ref name=roll/>
*12 April 1974. Captain S Garthwaite [[Mentioned in Despatches|MID]] - attached [[Special Air Service|22 SAS]]. [[Dhofar Rebellion|Oman]].<ref name=roll/>
*6 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.<ref name=roll/>
*28 December 1980. Warrant Officer Hugh McGinn – 5 (V) R IRISH. Shot by the [[Irish National Liberation Army]] at the door of his home in [[Armagh]].<ref name=roll/>
*13 April 1983. Sergeant Trevor A Elliot - 5(V) R IRISH. Shot by [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (PIRA) in [[Keady]].<ref name=roll/><ref>{{Cite web |title=CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths |url=https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/sutton/chron/1983.html |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=cain.ulster.ac.uk}}</ref>
*9 May 1984. Corporal Trevor May - 4(V) R IRISH. Killed in [[Newry]] when an [[Improvised explosive device]] placed under a car exploded.<ref name=roll/>
*9 October 1989. Lance Corporal Tommy Gibson – 4(V) R IRISH. Killed by PIRA in [[Kilrea]].<ref name=roll/>
*24 October 1990. Ranger Cyril J Smith [[QGM]] - 2 R IRISH. Killed when attempting to release a man tied to a [[proxy bomb]] - his car - driven into a [[Border checkpoint]] at [[Killeen, County Armagh|Killeen]] near [[Newry]]. The man's family were held hostage in their home.<ref name=roll/>
*17 January 1992. Ranger Robert Dunseath – 4 R IRISH. Killed in a [[Teebane bombing|roadside bomb]] attack<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-19 |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 20 Jan 1992 |url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1992-01-20/Debate-1.html |access-date=2023-12-28 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019105714/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1992-01-20/Debate-1.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> at [[The Troubles in Cookstown (Tyrone)|Teebane]] Crossroads, near [[Cookstown]], [[County Tyrone]], while on a civilian bus carrying workers from Lisanelly army barracks at [[Omagh]].<ref name=roll/>

==Music of the regiment==
The Regimental Quick March is [[Killaloe March|Killaloe]]. It was written around 1887 by an Irish composer, Robert Martin, for the London Musical "Miss Esmeralda".<ref name=killa>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal-irish.com/stories/killaloe-origins-regimental-march|title=Killaloe - Origins of our Regimental Quick March|publisher=Royal Irish|access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> The lyrics relate the story of a French teacher attempting to make himself understood to a difficult Killaloe class. Originally in [[Duple and quadruple meter|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 [[Time signature|6/8 time]], 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.<ref name=killa/>

Historically, in the 1st 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. On parade, soldiers of the Royal Irish Rangers gave a spine-tingling "Ranger yell"; this continues with the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]].<ref name=killa/>

The first known recording of Killaloe was made by [[Richard Dimbleby]] when serving as a [[BBC]] war correspondent in Northern France shortly before [[Operation Dynamo|Dunkirk]]. 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.<ref name=killa/>

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) Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|38th (Irish) Brigade]], during the approach to [[Battle of Monte Cassino|Monte Cassino]].
Killaloe was adopted by the Royal Irish Rangers on its formation and again later by the Royal Irish Regiment on its amalgamation in 1992.<ref name=killa/>

===Lyrics===

The soldiers often put their own words to the tune which would be sung, ''[[sotto voce]]'', as they marched:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUlaBkwCrqo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212113108/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUlaBkwCrqo| archive-date=2017-02-12 |publisher=The Churchill & Hamilton Flute Bands|title= Killaloe|access-date=10 July 2016}} {{Dead link|date=May 2021}}</ref>
{{cquote|
(Oh) We're the Irish Rangers,<br />
The boys who fear no danger,<br />
We're the boys from [[wikt:paddy|Paddy]]'s land<br />
{{wikten|yo|YO!}}<br />
Shut up you {{wikten|bugger}}s and fight
}}

==Lineage==
{{S-start}}
|- style="text-align: center; background: #c4df9b;"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="4"|'''Lineage'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan="6" style="width:25%; "| '''The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th)'''
| rowspan="2" style="width:25%; "| '''The [[Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]]'''
| style="width:25%; "| '''The [[27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot]]'''
|-
| style="width:25%; text-align:center;"| '''The [[108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)]]'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan="2" style="width:25%; "| '''The [[Royal Ulster Rifles]]'''
| style="width:25%; "| '''The [[83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot]]'''
|-
| style="width:25%; text-align:center;"| '''The [[86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot]]'''
|-
| rowspan="2" style="width:25%; text-align:center;"| '''The [[Royal Irish Fusiliers|Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)]]'''
| style="width:25%; text-align:center;"| '''The [[87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot]]'''
|-
| style="width:25%; text-align:center;"| '''The [[89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot]]'''
{{S-end}}

==Regimental Colonels==
Colonels of the Regiment were:<ref name=regiments/>

*1968–1972: Lt-Gen. Sir [[Ian Harris (British Army officer)|Ian Cecil Harris]], KBE, CB, DSO ''(ex [[Royal Ulster Rifles]])''
*1972–1977: Maj-Gen. [[James Majury|James Herbert Samuel Majury]], CB, MBE
*1977–1979: Maj-Gen. [[David O'Morchoe|David N.C. (O'Morchoe), The O'Morchoe]], CB, MBE
*1979–1985: Maj-Gen. [[Bala Bredin|Humphrey Edgar Nicholson Bredin]], DSO, MC
*1985–1990: Brig. [[Mervyn McCord|Mervyn Noel Samuel McCord]], CBE, MC, AMBIM
*1990–1992: Gen. Sir [[Roger Wheeler (British Army officer)|Roger Neil Wheeler]], GCB, CBE, ADC

''*1992 Regiment amalgamated with [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] to form the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]]''

== See also ==

* [[Army Ranger Wing]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://royalirishrangers.co.uk/ The Official Royal Irish Rangers Association website]

{{Royal Irish Regiment}}
{{Authority control}}


== Music of the Regiment ==
===Regimental Quick March===
The Regimental Quick March is [[Killaloe]].
Killaloe is a popular march in the Irish Regiments of the British army . The following is some of the background to the tune . Killaloe was written around 1887 by a 41-year-old Irish composer named Robert Martin, for the London Musical "Miss Esmeralda" and sung by a Mr E J Lohnen. The lyrics relate the sorry story of a French teacher attempting to make himself understood to a difficult Killaloe class who, totally misunderstand his French, and as a consequence beat him up. The Killaloe song, with original melody in 2/4 time, was made well known in military circles by a cousin of Lt. Charles Martin, who served with the 88th [[Connaught Rangers]] (The Devil's Own) from 1888 until his death in 1893. He composed a new set of lyrics, in 6/8 time, celebrating his Regiment's fame, and although no mention is made of the tune in the Regimental history, there is an interesting explanation which may well account for the shout or yell in the military version of Killaloe. In the lst. Battalion (Connaught Rangers), formerly the 88th, a favourite march tune was "Brian Boru" and this was played generally when the Battalion was marching through a town, or when after a hot and heavy march, the Battalion was feeling the strain and the Commanding Officer wished to revive the spirits of the men.
On such occasions, at a time generally given by the Sergeant-Major, all ranks would give a regular "Connaught Yell". during which the Band would make a pause, and then continue playing. The march became popular among the other Irish Regiments and various other sets of lyrics were devised, some none too complimentary in tone. The first known recording of Killaloe was made by [[Richard Dimbleby]] when serving as a [[BBC]] war correspondent somewhere in North France in 1939/1940, shortly before [[Dunkirk]], during an outside broadcast of advancing troops. The "Famous Irish Regiment" Dimbleby reports playing as they march past Is not actually 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 famous 38th (Irish) Brigade, during the approach to Cassino.
Killaloe was adopted by The Royal Irish Rangers on its formation on lst. July 1968 and again later by the Royal Irish Regiment on its amalgamation in 1992 .
===Regimental Slow March===
[[Eilean Alanagh]]
[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Irish regiments]]
[[Category:Irish regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Military history of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Defunct Irish regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Royal Irish Regiment (1992)]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1992]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1992 disestablishments in the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 23:19, 28 February 2024

Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd & 87th)
Active1 July 1968 – 1992
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeLine infantry
SizeOn disbandment, 2 Regular battalions & 1 TA Battalion
Garrison/HQSt Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena
Nickname(s)"Rangers"
Motto(s)Faugh A Ballagh (Irish) (Clear the Way)
ColoursGreen
From Royal Irish Fusiliers
MarchQuick: Killaloe
Slow: Eileen Alannagh
Mascot(s)Irish Wolfhound Brian Boru
AnniversariesBarrosa Day, 5 March; Somme Day, Waterloo Day, Rangers Day 1 July
EngagementsBarrosa
Waterloo
Somme
Commanders
Colonel in ChiefFirst: Field Marshal Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster
Last: The Duchess of Gloucester (1989 - until amalgamation)
Honorary ColonelFirst - Lieutenant General Sir Ian Harris.
Last - Lt. Col. The 3rd Viscount Brookeborough
Notable
commanders		General Sir Roger Wheeler, GCB, CBE. Former CGS
Brigadier MCV McCord MC
The O'Morochoe
Insignia
AbbreviationR.IRISH

The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th) was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army with a relatively short existence, formed in 1968 and later merged with the Ulster Defence Regiment in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment.

History[edit]

Creation[edit]

The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1 July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three regiments of the North Irish Brigade: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers.[1] 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.[1] 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.[2] The three regiments had old and differing traditions (Rifle and Fusilier) and to avoid favouring one above another, the unique designation "Rangers" was adopted. The title had not existed in the British Army since 1922.[1] With the creation of the "Divisions of Infantry", the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the King's Division, along with regiments from the north of England.[3]

Deployments[edit]

The 1st Battalion moved to Barrosa Barracks in Hemer, Germany in September 1970 from where units were deployed to Cyprus on peace-keeping duties in November 1971.[4] The battalion returned home in July 1974 where it was stationed in Battlesbury Barracks in Warminster it became the infantry demonstration Battalion. Two years later it moved to RAF Little Rissington in the Cotswolds, before being sent to Berlin in May 1979.[4] After returning home in April 1981 the battalion moved to Chester bfor 2 yrs before moving to Belfast Barracks in Osnabrück in January 1985.[4] The battalion undertook a deployment to Northern Ireland during the Troubles in September 1988.[4]

The 2nd Battalion, which had been based in Gibraltar on formation, returned home in October 1969.[4] It moved to Barrosa Barracks in Hemer in July 1974 from where it deployed to Cyprus in January 1975.[4] After returning home in March 1979, it moved to Wavell Barracks in Berlin in October 1981 and back to England in March 1983.[4] It deployed to Cyprus in May 1985 and to the Falkland Islands in March 1987.[4]

Options for change[edit]

Under the Options for Change reorganisation, the Royal Irish Rangers were amalgamated with the Ulster Defence Regiment to form the new Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment) in 1992.[2]

Uniform[edit]

Ranger uniforms

Accommodating the traditions of the three regiments required compromise:

  • The caubeen was adopted as the headdress for the new Regiment as all the former regiments had worn it[1]
  • The green hackle was formerly worn by the Royal Irish Fusiliers[1]
  • The Castle collar badges had been worn by the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers[1]
  • The black buttons had been worn by the Royal Ulster Rifles[1]
  • The brown cross belt was a compromise between the brown Sam Browne belts worn by the Fusiliers and the black cross belt worn in the Rifles[1]

In addition all ranks of the new regiment were to wear 'piper green' trousers.[1]

Territorial Army[edit]

The Territorial battalions formed the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rangers (North Irish Militia) which also included the sole London Irish Rifles company and the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rangers. The two TA battalions trained as units until 1993 when following the Options for Change White Paper, they were merged to form the 4/5th Battalion Royal Irish Rangers (Volunteers).[5]

Roll of honour[edit]

Post 1968[edit]

Music of the regiment[edit]

The Regimental Quick March is Killaloe. It was written around 1887 by an Irish composer, Robert Martin, for the London Musical "Miss Esmeralda".[10] 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, 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.[10]

Historically, in the 1st 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. On parade, soldiers of the Royal Irish Rangers gave a spine-tingling "Ranger yell"; this continues with the Royal Irish Regiment.[10]

The first known recording of Killaloe was made by Richard Dimbleby when serving as a BBC war correspondent in Northern France shortly before Dunkirk. 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.[10]

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. Killaloe was adopted by the Royal Irish Rangers on its formation and again later by the Royal Irish Regiment on its amalgamation in 1992.[10]

Lyrics[edit]

The soldiers often put their own words to the tune which would be sung, sotto voce, as they marched:[11]

(Oh) We're the Irish Rangers,

The boys who fear no danger,
We're the boys from Paddy's land
YO!

Shut up you buggers and fight

Lineage[edit]

Lineage
The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th) The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers The 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot
The 108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)
The Royal Ulster Rifles The 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot
The 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot
The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) The 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot
The 89th (The Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot

Regimental Colonels[edit]

Colonels of the Regiment were:[2]

*1992 Regiment amalgamated with Ulster Defence Regiment to form the Royal Irish Regiment

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "History". The Royal Irish Rangers. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Royal Irish Rangers". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 23 January 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ "The King's Division". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Royal Irish Rangers". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  5. ^ "4th/5th (V) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rangers". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 30 March 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Roll of Honour". Royal Irish Rangers. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Personal Details: Labalaba, Talaiasi". Armed Forces Memorial roll of honour. GOV.UK. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  8. ^ "CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths". cain.ulster.ac.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  9. ^ "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 20 Jan 1992". 19 October 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ a b c d e "Killaloe - Origins of our Regimental Quick March". Royal Irish. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Killaloe". The Churchill & Hamilton Flute Bands. Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2016. [dead link]

External links[edit]

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