Royal Irish Rangers

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Royal Irish Rangers
Active1 July 1968 - 2007
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchArmy
TypeLine Infantry
RoleTA Reserve
SizeOne Battalion
Garrison/HQPortadown
Nickname(s)The Rangers
Motto(s)Faugh A Ballagh (Clear the Way) (Irish)
MarchQuick - Killaloe
Slow - Eileen Alannah
Mascot(s)Irish Wolfhound Brian Boru
AnniversariesBarrosa Day, 5th March; Somme Day, 1st July
EngagementsBarrosa, Waterloo, Somme, Korea, Sierra Leone Iraq, Afghanistan
Commanders
Honorary ColonelLt-Col. The Rt. Hon. Alan Henry (Brooke), 3rd Viscount Brookeborough, DL
Insignia
TartanSaffron (pipes)
HackleGreen
From Royal Irish Fusiliers

Faugh a Ballagh

The Royal Irish Rangers 27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th (correct abbreviation RANGERS) was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army.

Creation

The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1st July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three remaining Irish infantry regiments [1].

The date was initially known as Vesting Day (and then Ranger Day), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were vested in the new. 1 July is also Somme Day; 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, Canada, Ireland and Pakistan.

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. The Ulster Defence Regiment and The Royal Irish Rangers amalgamated to form The Royal Irish Regiment.

Uniform

Accommodating the traditions of the three regiments required compromise:

Ranger uniforms
  • 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 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 Pipes carried by the The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers pipers were abandoned in favour of the Great Highland Bagpipe, 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:

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).

Territorial Army

The name of the Royal Irish Rangers was maintained through the Territorial Army 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 Northern Ireland Resident Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, the Royal Irish Rangers was renamed as the new 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment.

Roll of Honour

Post 1968

Victoria Cross (pre-1968 Regiments)

Recipients of the Victoria Cross:

File:Victoria Cross Medal Ribbon & Bar.jpg
Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar.

Famous old Rangers

File:Rogerwheeler.jpg
"Sir Roger"

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, 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 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 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.
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.
The soldiers had their own words to the tune which would be sung, sotto voce, as they marched:

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


To hear the tune visit: Ranger website

Regimental Slow March

Previously the March of the Royal Innskilling Fusiliers, Eileen Alannah is an Irish ballad. It is available as sheet-music[1]. The lyrics[2]:

Eileen Alannah, Eileen Asthore

Light of my soul and it's Queen evermore
It seems years have lingered since last we did part
Eileen Alannah, the pride of my heart
Oh, darling loved one your dear smile I miss
My lips seem to cling to that sweet parting kiss
Mavourneen thy dear face I see at the door
Eileen Alannah, Augus Asthore

Faithful I'll be to the colleen I adore
Eileen Alannah, Augus Asthore
Faithful I'll be to the colleen I adore
Eileen Alannah, Augus Asthore

Eileen Alannah, Eileen Asthore
The ocean's blue waters wash by the shore
Of that dear land of shamrock, where thou doth abide
Waiting the day when I'll call thee my bride
God bless you darling I know you are true
True to the boy who would die now for you
My heart is now bleeding to its innermost core
Eileen Alannah, Augus Asthore

Soon I'll be back to the colleen I adore
Eileen Alannah, Augus Asthore
Soon I'll be back to the colleen I adore

Eileen Alannah, Augus Asthore

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 Pipes & Drums of Ireland and Heritage Of Ireland

Lineage

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

External links

References

  1. ^ "Irish Ranger site". Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  2. ^ McGuinness and Downey. "Extracts from - 'Creggan: more than a history' (2000)". Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  3. ^ "R IRISH page on MOD site". Retrieved 2007-08-23.
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