Royal Ulster Rifles

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6th Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles was raised on 1st September, 1947, by Lieutenant-Colonel R J H Carson and recruited from counties Antrim and Down, and the City of Belfast.

It was formerly the strongest infantry battalion of the TA in Northern Ireland.

In 1958 the Colonel of the Regiment was Brigadier I H Good DSO.

The Honorary Colonel was Colonel the Rt Hon the Lord Glentoran.

The commanding officer was Lieutenant-Colonel D C Lincoln; 2nd-in-command, Major R G Maddocks MBE TD.

The Royal Ulster Rifles merged with the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968; and ultimately became part of the present Royal Irish Regiment.

First published in June, 2010.

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

On the 10th May, 1958, the Golden Jubilee of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, a Review was performed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at RAF Sydenham (now Belfast City Airport).

The 5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was raised in 1947.

It is descended directly from the Royal Tyrone Regiment, the Fermanagh Regiment and the Donegal Regiment.

These historic regiments first saw active service in the '98 Rebellion, the Tyrones actually fighting at Vinegar Hill under their Colonel, the (1st) Marquess of Abercorn.

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The GHQ of the 5th Battalion has been at Omagh in County Tyrone, with Companies based at Londonderry, Magherafelt, Omagh, Enniskillen and Dungannon.

The Colonel-in-Chief of Royal Inniskillings, in 1958, was Field Marshal His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Earl of Ulster, KG KT KP GCB GCMG GCVO.

The Colonel of the Regiment was Brigadier E E J Moore DSO; Honorary Colonel, Colonel J M Blakiston-Houston DL; Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel R T C Waters.

First published in June, 2010.

661 (Ulster) Field Regiment

On the 10th May, 1958, the Golden Jubilee of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, A Review was performed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at the RAF Sydenham, Belfast (now Belfast City Airport).

The Order of Parade included massed bands playing from 1.30pm; arrival of HM at 3pm; the Inspection at 3.05pm; March Past at 3.20pm; and departure of HM at 3.45pm.

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661 (Ulster) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery was the first field regiment to be raised in Northern Ireland.

In 1958 its Honorary Colonel was Colonel the Right Honourable the Lord MacDermott MC PC.

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591 (Antrim) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, was formed in 1937 as the Antrim Fortress Company.

The present name dates from 1940.

In 1958 its Honorary Colonel was Colonel A H Glendinning OBE TD.

TA: NI History

On the 10th May, 1958, the golden jubilee of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, a Review was performed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at RAF Sydenham (the site is now occupied by Belfast City Airport).

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The Order of Parade included massed bands playing from 1.30pm; the arrival of Her Majesty at 3pm; the Inspection at 3.05pm; a March Past at 3.20pm; and the departure of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at 3.45pm.

First published in May, 2010.

TA Series

I have come across a fascinating pamphlet in the attic at home.

My late father, Major Thomas Ferres TD, was Officer Commanding of a TA unit at Kinnegar, Holywood, County Down, during the 1960s.

I think he commanded the REME 157 Field Company.

He was presented with a candelabra by the Officers' Mess of 245 (Ulster) Light Air Defence Regiment RA (TA), dated 1966.

The booklet provides us with a lot of information about the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, its structure and personnel in 1958.

I am going to start a new series about the 107 (Ulster) Independent Infantry Brigade Group, raised in 1947 by Brigadier Nelson Russell CB DSO MC.

My first article will be a Historical Note, followed by the North Irish Horse, raised in 1902.

First published in May, 2010.

North Irish Horse

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ON THE 10TH MAY, 1958, THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE TERRITORIAL ARMY IN NORTHERN IRELAND, A REVIEW WAS PERFORMED BY HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER AT THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR STATION SYDENHAM, BELFAST.

The 107 (Ulster) Independent Infantry Brigade was raised in 1947 by Brigadier Nelson Russell CB DSO MC.

The North Irish Horse, however, pre-dates the Brigade and was first raised in 1902.

In 1958 the Honorary Colonel was HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent.

The regiment is now at squadron strength and forms part of the Queen's Own Yeomanry.

Click on the image above for more detail. First published in May, 2010.

TA: The Parade

On the 10th May, 1958, the golden jubilee of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, a Review was attended by QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER at the Royal Naval Air Station Sydenham, Belfast.

The Order of Parade included massed bands playing from 1.30pm; arrival of Her Majesty at 3pm; the Inspection at 3.05pm; a March Past at 3.20pm; and departure of HM at 3.45pm.

In 1958 the GOC Northern Ireland was Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Kimmins KBE CB.

The commander of 107 (Ulster) Independent Infantry Brigade Group was Brigadier John Drummond CB DSO.

Click on the image to enlarge the detail. First published in May, 2010.

Ulster TA Unit

On the 10th May, 1958, the Golden Jubilee of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, A Review was performed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at the Royal Naval Air Station Sydenham, Belfast.

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Three TA Units

In 1958 eight independent units of the Territorial Army operated in Northern Ireland.

HEADQUARTERS 11 (ULSTER) SIGNAL SQUADRON

Honorary Colonel, Colonel CFC Lindsay
Commanding Officer, Major JFH Pearcey TD

On the reorganisation of Anti Aircraft Command in 1955, all signal units of 51 (Ulster) Anti Aircraft Brigade were amalgamated to form the present unit.

931 (ULSTER) COMPANY, ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS

Commanding Officer, Major CW Bamford
Second-in-Command, Captain KS Thornton

The unit was raised in 1947 as a Mixed Anti Aircraft Company forming part of 112 Transport Column RASC. In 1952, the unit became part of 3 Anti Aircraft Group which consisted of one NI and three Scottish Companies.

On reorganisation of Anti Aircraft Command in 1955, the unit was reformed as an Independent General Transport Company and was the only RASC Company to have a Pipe Band.

NORTHERN IRELAND DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel TC Teuton
Second-in-Command, Major DL Stanley

The NI District Intelligence Unit was formed in 1957 and had its GHQ and two sections in Belfast and one section in Londonderry. The Sections were raised in 1947.

Royal Irish Fusiliers

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5th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, traces its origin back to the 3rd Battalion of the Regiment, formed from the Armagh Militia.

5th Battalion was action in the 1st World War in the 10th (Irish) Division at Gallipoli, Macedonia and Palestine, returning to the Western Front in May, 1918.

The GHQ of the Battalion was at Armagh, with Companies at Lurgan, Banbridge, Newry and Portadown.


In 1958 the Colonel of the Regiment was Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer GCB GCMG KBE DSO.

The Honorary Colonel was Colonel the Right Honourable Sir Norman Stronge Bt MC MP.

• Commanding Officer: Lieutenant-Colonel J H Morgan MC TD
• 2nd-in-Command: Major J D Stronge
• Adjutant: Captain M D Fitzmaurice