This piece of Brian Hayden’s History includes the Introduction and “Promotions and Retirements”.

21st INFANTRY BATTALION

(O’DWYER)

1959-1984

INTRODUCTION

As part of the Army policy of integration, on October 1st, 1959, the existing North and South Wicklow Bn’s and the South County Dublin Bn. were merged to form the 21 Inf. Bn. The boundaries of the new unit were Arklow in the south and Dun Laoghaire in the North. This area was divided amongst the 3 Coys. of the Bn.

‘A’ Coy. based in Bray at Bn. Headquarters covers Bray, Newtownmountkennedy and surrounding areas.

‘B’ Coy. based in Dun Laoghaire covers Dun Laoghaire and the surrounding area.

‘C’ Coy. based in Wicklow covers Wicklow, Arklow, Rathdrum and the surrounding areas.

Unit Commanders 1959-1984 were as follows:

Comdts, J. Crowe, J. Breen, E. DeBlacam, J.M. Fitzpatrick, D.A. Byrne, F.N. O’Connell, M.E. Minehane, S. Norton, P.J. O’Brien, T. Murphy, M.E. Lucey.

Adm. and Training Officers included the following:

Capts. V. Lynch, T. Healy, F. O’Donovan, M. Sweeney,

P. Kiernan, J. Martin, C. Cullen, M. Lucey, T. Young,

M. McGrath, N. Loughnane, M. Quinlan, P. Feeley, J. Duggan,

T. Gilleran, J. Sayers, M. Rock, J. Manahan, M, Beary and

M. Minehane.

The Bn. had two B.S.M.’s after integration – B.S.M. Liam O’Brien from Bray and B.S.M. Tom Byrne from Dundrum. Both Sgt. Majors took turns to be B.S.M. until B.S.M. O’Brien retired in 1977. B.S.M. Tom Byrne retired in 1983 after 41 years service. The newly promoted B.S.M. is now Paddy Reynolds who is in the force since 1944. Regular NCO’s who filled various positions within the Unit were CQM’s McLoughlin O’Donovan, Morey, Gibbons, Seery, Graham, Richardson, T. Boyle, Morgan, Dease and Leggett, Sgts. Power, Boyle, McGuinness, Butler, Miskella, Gregory, Maher and Wall, Cpls. O’Hagan, Boyle, Murphy, Tighe, Cronin, Larkin, Keeley and Briggs.

1960

The 21 Bn which was then in the 2 Brigade held their Annual Camp in Gormanston until 1961 when the Eastern Command was re-organised and the 21 Bn became part of the 6 Bde (Stephen’s Bks. Kilkenny). The Unit then travelled to Kilkenny Bks for the Annual Camps and all were delighted with the good facilities of the Bks. The City of Kilkenny was a new discovery to many of the lads in the force who really enjoyed themselves touring the many historical places of interest and indeed the very enjoyable night spots which included the Mayfair Ballroom, three cinemas and a couple of great pubs.

Shortly afterwards, Waterford Bks was opened to the F.C.A. and the 21 Bn. immediately applied to hold their Annual Camp there, as it is very near Tramore Holiday Resort, offering Amusements galore.

Training after integration centred around Annual Range Practices and Brigade and All Army F.C.A. Shoots, tactical trg and special courses for Pot. Offrs. and NCO’s.

During all these years training proceeded with the Rifle, LMG, Gustav, BAP, the Energa, the 81mm Mortar and the .84 A/Tk Rifle. Special courses were held for these advanced weapons and all weapons were fired including the Mortar under the control of Capt. J. Geraghty, who was the: Bn Mortar Training ‘ Officer for many years.

The Unit survived the critical years from 1970 onwards. The number remained high in all Coys which showed that there was fostered in the Unit a vital “Espirit De Corps” and was a credit to all Officers & NCO’s.

In 1978, after many fruitless years, six new Officers were promoted in the Unit. Four from ‘A’ Coy. and two from ‘B’ Coy – 2/Lts. T. Shortt, J. Good, J. Scannell, E. Doyle, P. Holahan and J. Bigley.

Training

Tactical exercises have always been part of the Bn’s activities and over the years the following exercises come to mind.

“Operation Timmie” conducted outside Kilkenny in 1968 and organised by the late Capt. T. Conroy.

In 1973 “Operation Glenview” was held in the Devil’s Glen, Ashford, Co. Wicklow. The exercise included the use of Panhard armoured personnel carriers, a helicopter and 300 F.C.A. Infantry troops.

Again in 1978, the Bn. took part in “Operation Groupie” which was held near Belmont House in Kilruddery near Bray. In addition to the members of the 21 Inf. Bn. taking part, members of the llth Motor Squadron, llth Field Signal Coy., llth Field Engineer Coy., llth Field Supply and Transport Coy., 6th Field Military Police Coy and llth Field Medical Coy, had roles to play in this major exercise.

In recent years the Eastern Command FCA have conducted a series of tactical exercises mainly in the Wicklow area. The 21 Bn, formed part of these exercises along with other Units and Corps. In 1984 an exercise was held, code-named “Springtime”, in which Comdt. B. Murphy, Area Commander South County Dublin, was a key figure in implementation. 2/Lt. A. Plunkett was a Platoon Commander in this major event along with a platoon of NCO’s and men from the 21 Bn.

The Bn. has also provided troops for Army exercises held over the years in the Dublin area.

(The seperate histories for A, B, C Coys were here)

PROMOTIONS AND RETIREMENTS

In 1973 Capt. Pat Rochford was promoted Comdt. and appointed Area  Commander South Dublin. He held this position until his retirement in 1983 after 39 years service with the L.D.F. and F.C.A. Pat served 29 years as an Officer. He was highly respected by all. His stand-down parade at Cathal Brugha Bks. was a sad occasion as many of his comrades, both P.D.F. and F.C.A., wished him well after a fine career in the force where he earned the respect and esteem of all ranks. In 1979 Capt. H. Jordan was promoted Comdt. and appointed Area Commander South Wicklow.

Another old sweat and a great friend of Harry was also promoted Comdt. He was none other than the much liked Jack Haughton. Jack was appointed Area Commander Nth. Wicklow until his retirement in 1981 after long and faithful service with the L.D.F. and F.C.A.

In 1982 Capt. B. Hayden, O/C A Coy. for 11 years, was promoted Comdt. and appointed Area Commander Nth. Wicklow.

In 1984 Capt. R. (Bob) Murphy, who was transferred from the 24 Bn. Western Command, was promoted Comdt. and appointed Area Commander South Dublin.

Between 1979 and 1983 several Sgts. from the Bn. were selected to attend a Pot. Officers Course. Having passed all exams and tests, they were then promoted 2 /Lt. and posted to the Companies within the Bn.

They were 2/Lts. B. Flynn, K. Browne, J. Burke, R. Lyons, N. Murphy, J. O’Toole, A. Kavanagh, A. Plunkett, B. Walsh and R. Doyle.

Sgt. Con Walsh was transferred from the 21 Bn. to the llth Engineers and promoted full Lt.

Two Officers who were commissioned with the Nth. Wicklow Bn. and who were transferred to Dublin units prior to integration, resigned on age grounds in 1983/84.

Both these Officers, Comdt. Des Mortell, 6th Field Military Police, and Comdt. Johnny O’Brien, 2 AA. Battery, were closely associated with the 21 Bn. over all these years and attended several annual training periods with the 21 Bn. We wish them well.

CONCLUSION

To cover the Bn. activities adequately in all areas of training, ceremonial and sporting occasions would require very deep research.

The Bn. has excelled itself over the years, mainly due to its leaders plus the fact that all events, no matter what sphere they are in, are looked upon by all as a challenge and not just another detail.

The Esprit-de-corps, loyalty and efficiency of this unit was forged by all its members over the last 25 years and we will continue to uphold this great tradition in the future.

Compiled By:

Comdt. Brian Hayden,

Area Commander,

North Wicklow.