B Coy 1959 -1984

Final Coy section from Brian Hayden’s history of 21 Bn. There is obviously duplication between this and Aidan Teevan’s more comprehensive history which ran right up to the Bn stand down in 2005.

B Coy., which was founded on the Old South Co. Dublin Bn., made the transition to its new role in the organisation in a very healthy state. Centres were in operation at Rathfarnham, Dundrum, Stillorgan, Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire which conformed to the geographical boundaries, i.e. Donnybrook in the North, Shankill in the South and outwards to Tallaght in the West. There was almost a full transfer of Officers and NCO’s to the new Coy. which maintained the continuity of high administrative and operational standards.

The early years saw the opening of a new Centre at Oatlands College which provided an important addition to the Unit in the flow of recruits which resulted. Both the F.C.A. and the P.D.F. were to benefit from a number of high calibre officers which were to come forward in subsequent years, notably Comdt. Michael Nestor, who met an untimely death on U.N. assignment and Lieut. Dermot Bradley F.C.A. who, on leaving the Forsa, embarked on a highly successful career as a German military historian.

The Unit’s long association with Gormanston was terminated in 1961. For a number of years. Annual Camp was located at Kilkenny Barracks and subsequently Waterford. While ‘B’ Coy. languished in the shadow of the highly successful Rifle and Bren teams in the various weapon competitions, the exploits of the Gustav team, led by Lieut. Des Walsh in the 1960’s, is worthy of mention. Lt. Walsh was promoted Captain in 1971 and appointed Bn. Adj. until his resignation in 1981.

The Officer I/C of the South Dublin Bn. on integration was Capt. T.A. Egan. He was promoted Commandant and appointed O/C B Coy 21 Bn. In 1962, he was appointed Area Commander South Dublin. Other well known officers such as Comdts. Paddy Ryan, Brendan White, Pat Rochford and Jack Haughton were also Company Commanders with this fine Coy.

1960s

Comdt. Egan retired in 1965 after a distinguished career in the L.D.F. and F.C.A.  Tom died in 1982. R.I.P.

In I960 Lt. H.P. Ryan was promoted Captain and in 1962 appointed O/C of B Coy.

In 1965 Capt. Ryan was promoted Commandant and appointed Area Commander South Dublin and retired in 1973.  Paddy died in .1982. R.I.P.

Capt. B. White was promoted O/C B Coy. in 1965. He was promoted to Commandant in 1969 and appointed Area Commander South Wicklow until his retirement in 1971 after great’ service with the old L.D.F. and later the F.C.A.

1970s

Lt. F. Gallagher, who was with the South Dublin Bn., was promoted Captain in 1972 and appointed B.Q.M. 21 Bn.

Capt. A. Teevan is presently O/C of the Coy. He is assisted by his 2 I/C Lt. Tony Nichols and his Platoon Commanders Lts. Pat. Holahan, John Bigley, Kevin Brown, Ross Lyons, Arthur Plunkett and Alan Kavanagh.

Other Officers who resigned on age grounds or personal reasons were:

Capt. M. Delahunty, Capt. Des Walsh, Lt. S. Tate, Lt. N. Coughlan, Lt. D. Bradley, Lt. F. Devlin, Lt. B. Gallagher, Lt. F. Brinkley and Lt. D. O’Toole.

The Coy. was also blessed with great N.C.O.’s such as C/S Cosgrave, C/S Paddy Reynolds, C/S Dick Haughton, CQMS Peter Campbell, Sgts. Paddy Thornton, John O’Neill, Tony Grimes, Paddy Whelan, James Mulvey, .Declan Phelan, Bernard Swan and a lot of dedicated corporals, including Paddy Smith from Shankill.

This well run company under Capt. Teevan have excelled themselves in events such as orienteering and Bn. sports. Training in the Coy. is intense and events such as tactical exercises, the training in and the firing of weapons, including the 81mm. mortar is no problem to this well trained Coy.

1984

B Coy’s C/S Paddy Reynolds was promoted Bn. Sgt. Major and replaced Ex Bn. Sgt. Major Tom Byrne.

C.Q.M. Sgt. Dickie Haughton, well known in F.C.A. circles for his wit, was appointed C/S of B Coy,-

Sgt. Peter Campbell, B Coy’s recruiting wizard, was promoted C.Q.M.S. and moved into a new area of challenge.

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