Royal Ulster Rifles
Encyclopedia
The Royal Ulster Rifles was a British Army
infantry
regiment
. It saw service in the Second Boer War
, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War
, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers
in 1968.
expanded to meet the commitments of the war with the French First Republic
. As part of that expansion it raised two new Regiments of Foot, the 83rd
and the 86th. At the same time the counties Antrim
, Down
and Louth
Regiments of Militia were raised.
In 1881, under the Childers Reforms
, the 83rd and 86th were amalgamated into a single regiment, named the Royal Irish Rifles. It was one of eight regiments raised and garrisoned in Ireland
and was the county regiment of Antrim, Down and Louth, with its garrison depot located at Belfast
. Militarily, the whole of Ireland was administered as a separate command within the United Kingdom
with Command Headquarters at Parkgate (Phoenix Park
) Dublin, directly under the War Office
in London.
.
In October 1905, a memorial was erected in the grounds of Belfast City Hall
in memory of the 132 who did not return. Field Marshal Lord Grenfell unveiled the memorial while the Times
reported the event.
and 16th (Irish) Division during the Great War
. The unionist militias, the Ulster Volunteers and Young Citizens Volunteers had amalgamated with the 36th whilst the nationalist
National Volunteers
had joined the 16th after the outbreak of the Great War. In addition, the 7th Battalion served as the parent unit of the "pals" unit provided by the island of Jersey
, a company of some 326 men.
In 1921, following the proclamation of the Irish Free State
the British army was re-organised. Since the Rifles had such a clear identification with the North, it was one of the few to survive intact though it was renamed the Royal Ulster Rifles and obviously losing the regimental district of Louth.
Despite the change of name, the Regiment continued to accept recruits from the rest of Ireland; for example, almost 50% of personnel in the 1st Battalion that arrived in Korea in 1950 were Irish nationals.
In 1937 the close relationship with the London Irish Rifles was formally recognised when they were incorporated into the Corps while still retaining their regimental identity as two territorial battalions.
and took part in the Battle of Dunkirk
. The battalion returned to Europe for the D-Day landings in 1944 and fought right through to VE-Day.
When war was declared the 1st Battalion was serving in India, with the 31st Infantry Brigade, which was trained in mountain warfare. When they returned to the United Kingdom, it was identified with there light scale of equipment they brigade could be converted into a glider-borne
unit. They were renamed the 1st Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom), part of the 1st Airborne Division but later transferred to the 6th Airborne Division as part of the 6th Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom)
. Flying in Horsa gliders, the battalion took part in Operation Mallard
during the D-Day landings in 1944 and Operation Varsity
, the airborne landings over the Rhine in 1945.
Also of note, the Rifles had the unique distinction of being the only Allied unit to arrive in Normandy by both Sea (2nd Battalion) and Air (1st Battalion).
In 1947, the Rifles were grouped with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Irish Fusiliers into the North Irish Brigade. A year later, the regiment formed a pipe band, wearing saffron kilts and carrying the Great Irish Warpipes
.
By mid December a defensive line was being prepared on the south bank of the River Imjin protecting the approach to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. As the New Year started, the 64th Chinese Communist Army engaged the United Nations troops focusing on the 29th Brigade, who were dispersed over a very wide front (12 miles). The Rifles fighting with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers were able to hold their position in their first major action at the Battle of Chaegunghyon and the Communist Army's progress was halted, at least temporarily.
The Chinese Fifth Phase Campaign or the Battle of the Imjin River
began on 22 April with the goal of taking Seoul. By the 25th April, the Brigade was ordered to withdraw as the Communist forces were threatening to encircle the whole brigade. With virtually no cover and seriously out numbered, the Rifles came under heavy fire as they withdrew to a blocking position. The Brigade was able to hold its position, despite fierce fighting, and neutralized the effectiveness of the 64th Chinese Communist Army. Although the enemy's offensive had come within 5 miles of Seoul, the capital had been saved.
At the time, the Times
reported the Battle of Imjin concluding with:
The fighting 5th wearing St George and the Dragon and the Irish Giants with the Harp and Crown have histories that they would exchange with no one. As pride, sobered by mourning for fallen observes how well these young men have acquitted themselves in remotest Asia. The parts taken by the regiments may be seen as a whole. The motto of the Royal Ulster Rifles may have the last word Quis Separabit. (Who shall separate us)
As a result of this action, members of the Rifles were awarded 2 Distinguished Service Orders, 2 Military Cross
es, 2 Military Medal
s, and 3 men were mentioned in despatches. When the area was recaptured, a memorial was erected to the 208 men killed or missing after the battle. It stood over-looking the battlefield till 1962 when Seoul's growth threatened to consume it, and it was carried by HMS Belfast back to Ireland where it was the focus of the Regiment's St.Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena
. When the barracks were closed in 2008, the Imjin River Memorial was again moved, this time to the grounds of the Belfast City Hall
.
In 1968, under reforms of the army, the Royal Ulster Rifles was amalgamated with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
and the Royal Irish Fusiliers
to form The Royal Irish Rangers
(27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th).
at 5 Waring Street The museum's artefacts include uniforms, badges, medals, regimental memorabilia, trophies, paintings and photographs.
:
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
. It saw service in the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers
Royal Irish Rangers
The Royal Irish Rangers was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army.-Creation:...
in 1968.
History
The regiment's history dates backs to the reign of King George III. In 1793 the British armyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
expanded to meet the commitments of the war with the French First Republic
French First Republic
The French First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792, by the newly established National Convention. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First French Empire in 1804 under Napoleon I...
. As part of that expansion it raised two new Regiments of Foot, the 83rd
83rd Regiment of Foot
The 83rd Regiment of Foot was a British infantry regiment that served in the American Revolutionary War...
and the 86th. At the same time the counties Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
and Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
Regiments of Militia were raised.
In 1881, under the Childers Reforms
Childers Reforms
The Childers Reforms restructured the infantry regiments of the British army. The reforms were undertaken by Secretary of State for War Hugh Childers in 1881, and were a continuation of the earlier Cardwell reforms....
, the 83rd and 86th were amalgamated into a single regiment, named the Royal Irish Rifles. It was one of eight regiments raised and garrisoned in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and was the county regiment of Antrim, Down and Louth, with its garrison depot located at Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Militarily, the whole of Ireland was administered as a separate command within the United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
with Command Headquarters at Parkgate (Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
) Dublin, directly under the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
in London.
South African War 1899–1902
Also known as the Second Boer WarSecond Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
.
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, it faces north and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.-History:...
in memory of the 132 who did not return. Field Marshal Lord Grenfell unveiled the memorial while the Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
reported the event.
World War I
The Royal Irish Rifles was connected with the British 36th (Ulster) DivisionBritish 36th (Ulster) Division
The 36th Division was a division of Lord Kitchener's New Army formed in September 1914. Originally called the Ulster Division, it was made up of members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, who formed thirteen additional battalions for three existing regiments: the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the Royal Irish...
and 16th (Irish) Division during the Great War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The unionist militias, the Ulster Volunteers and Young Citizens Volunteers had amalgamated with the 36th whilst the nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
National Volunteers
National Volunteers
The National Volunteers was the name taken by the majority of the Irish Volunteers that sided with Irish Parliamentary Party leader John Redmond after the movement split over the question of the Volunteers' role in World War I.-Origins:...
had joined the 16th after the outbreak of the Great War. In addition, the 7th Battalion served as the parent unit of the "pals" unit provided by the island of Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
, a company of some 326 men.
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
the British army was re-organised. Since the Rifles had such a clear identification with the North, it was one of the few to survive intact though it was renamed the Royal Ulster Rifles and obviously losing the regimental district of Louth.
Despite the change of name, the Regiment continued to accept recruits from the rest of Ireland; for example, almost 50% of personnel in the 1st Battalion that arrived in Korea in 1950 were Irish nationals.
In 1937 the close relationship with the London Irish Rifles was formally recognised when they were incorporated into the Corps while still retaining their regimental identity as two territorial battalions.
World War II
The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles was part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (United Kingdom) with the British Expeditionary ForceBritish Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
and took part in the Battle of Dunkirk
Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk was a battle in the Second World War between the Allies and Germany. A part of the Battle of France on the Western Front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe from 26 May–4 June 1940.After the Phoney War, the Battle of...
. The battalion returned to Europe for the D-Day landings in 1944 and fought right through to VE-Day.
When war was declared the 1st Battalion was serving in India, with the 31st Infantry Brigade, which was trained in mountain warfare. When they returned to the United Kingdom, it was identified with there light scale of equipment they brigade could be converted into a glider-borne
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
unit. They were renamed the 1st Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom), part of the 1st Airborne Division but later transferred to the 6th Airborne Division as part of the 6th Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom)
6th Airlanding Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 6th Airlanding Brigade was a glider infantry brigade forming part of the British airborne forces during the Second World War. Composed of three infantry battalions and supporting units, it was assigned to the 6th Airborne Division....
. Flying in Horsa gliders, the battalion took part in Operation Mallard
Operation Mallard
Operation Mallard was the codename for an airborne forces operation which was conducted by the British Army on 6 June 1944, as part of the Normandy landings....
during the D-Day landings in 1944 and Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
, the airborne landings over the Rhine in 1945.
Also of note, the Rifles had the unique distinction of being the only Allied unit to arrive in Normandy by both Sea (2nd Battalion) and Air (1st Battalion).
Great Irish Warpipes
The Great Irish Warpipes are an instrument that in modern practice is identical, and historically was analogous or identical to the Great Highland Bagpipe. "Warpipes" is an English term; The first use of the Gaelic term in Ireland is recorded in a poem by John O'Naughton , in which the bagpipes...
.
Korean War
The 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles disembarked at Pusan in early November as part of the 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group. They were transported forward to Uijongbu, where under the direct command of the 8th United States Army they were directed against guerrilla forces swept past by the rapid progress of the United Nations Army.By mid December a defensive line was being prepared on the south bank of the River Imjin protecting the approach to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. As the New Year started, the 64th Chinese Communist Army engaged the United Nations troops focusing on the 29th Brigade, who were dispersed over a very wide front (12 miles). The Rifles fighting with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers were able to hold their position in their first major action at the Battle of Chaegunghyon and the Communist Army's progress was halted, at least temporarily.
The Chinese Fifth Phase Campaign or the Battle of the Imjin River
Battle of the Imjin River
The Battle of the Imjin River, also known as the Battle of Kumgul-san, P'ap'yong-san and Solma-ri or the Battle of Xuemali , took place 22–25 April 1951 during the Korean War. Forces from People’s Republic of China attacked UN positions on the lower Imjin River in an attempt to achieve a...
began on 22 April with the goal of taking Seoul. By the 25th April, the Brigade was ordered to withdraw as the Communist forces were threatening to encircle the whole brigade. With virtually no cover and seriously out numbered, the Rifles came under heavy fire as they withdrew to a blocking position. The Brigade was able to hold its position, despite fierce fighting, and neutralized the effectiveness of the 64th Chinese Communist Army. Although the enemy's offensive had come within 5 miles of Seoul, the capital had been saved.
At the time, the Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
reported the Battle of Imjin concluding with:
The fighting 5th wearing St George and the Dragon and the Irish Giants with the Harp and Crown have histories that they would exchange with no one. As pride, sobered by mourning for fallen observes how well these young men have acquitted themselves in remotest Asia. The parts taken by the regiments may be seen as a whole. The motto of the Royal Ulster Rifles may have the last word Quis Separabit. (Who shall separate us)
As a result of this action, members of the Rifles were awarded 2 Distinguished Service Orders, 2 Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
es, 2 Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
s, and 3 men were mentioned in despatches. When the area was recaptured, a memorial was erected to the 208 men killed or missing after the battle. It stood over-looking the battlefield till 1962 when Seoul's growth threatened to consume it, and it was carried by HMS Belfast back to Ireland where it was the focus of the Regiment's St.Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena
Ballymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
. When the barracks were closed in 2008, the Imjin River Memorial was again moved, this time to the grounds of the Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, it faces north and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.-History:...
.
In 1968, under reforms of the army, the Royal Ulster Rifles was amalgamated with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was a Irish infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot...
and the Royal Irish Fusiliers
Royal Irish Fusiliers
The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Irish infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of the 87th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot in 1881. The regiment's first title in 1881 was Princess Victoria's , changed in 1920 to The Royal Irish Fusiliers...
to form The Royal Irish Rangers
Royal Irish Rangers
The Royal Irish Rangers was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army.-Creation:...
(27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th).
Royal Ulster Rifles Museum
The Royal Ulster Rifles Museum is located in the Cathedral Quarter, BelfastCathedral Quarter, Belfast
The Cathedral Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland is a developing area of the city, roughly situated between Royal Avenue near where the Belfast Central Library building is, and the Dunbar Link in the city centre. From one of its corners, the junction of Royal Avenue, Donegall Street and York...
at 5 Waring Street The museum's artefacts include uniforms, badges, medals, regimental memorabilia, trophies, paintings and photographs.
Victoria Cross
Recipients of the Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
:
- Rifleman William Frederick McFadzeanWilliam Frederick McFadzeanWilliam Frederick "Billy" McFadzean VC was born in Lurgan, County Armagh. From Ulster, he was a Northern Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:McFadzean...
. 1st Bn Royal Irish Rifles. 1916. Thiepval. - Rifleman Robert QuiggRobert QuiggRobert Quigg VC was a recipient of the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War.-Youth:...
. 12th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. 1916. HamelHamelHamel may refer to:* Hamel, Western Australia, town* Hamel, Nord, a commune of the Nord département, in northern France* Beaumont-Hamel, a commune of the Somme département, in northern France...
, Somme. - Second Lieutenant Edmund De WindEdmund De WindEdmund De Wind, VC was a British Army officer during the First World War, and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy"....
. 15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. 1918. GrugiesGrugiesGrugies is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France....
, France.
Great War Memorials
- Ulster Tower MemorialUlster Tower ThiepvalThe Ulster Tower is a memorial to the men of the 36th Division. The memorial was officially opened on November 19, 1921 and is a very close copy of Helen's Tower which stands in the grounds of the Clandeboye Estate, near Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland...
Thiepval, France. - Irish National War Memorial GardensIrish National War Memorial GardensThe Irish National War Memorial Gardens is an Irish war memorial in Islandbridge, Dublin dedicated "to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914–1918", out of over 300,000 Irishmen who served in all armies....
, Dublin. - Island of Ireland Peace ParkIsland of Ireland Peace ParkThe Island of Ireland Peace Park and its surrounding park , also called the Irish Peace Park or Irish Peace Tower in Messines, near Ypres in Flanders, Belgium, is a war memorial to the soldiers of the island of Ireland who died, were wounded or are missing from World War I, during Ireland's...
Messines, Belgium. - Menin Gate Memorial Ypres, Belgium.
See also
- Young Citizen VolunteersYoung Citizen VolunteersThe Young Citizen Volunteers of Northern Ireland had its first meeting just prior to the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant , opposing Home Rule, in Belfast City Hall on September 10, 1912...
- List of British Army regiments (1881)
Further reading
- James W. Taylor The 1st Royal Irish Rifles in the Great War Four Courts Press (2002) ISBN 1-85182-702-1
- James W. Taylor The 2nd Royal Irish Rifles in the Great War Four Courts Press (2005) ISBN 1-85182-952-0
- David R Orr & David Truesdale The Rifles are There: 1st and 2nd Battalions, The Royal Ulster Rifles in the Second World War Pen & Sword (2005) ISBN 1844153495