The final part of the History of B Coy. I got this from Aidan Teevan when I met him at the Annual Mass 2012. He also gave me some corrections for previous posts, but I think I will incorporate them into a complete history and post it here as a PDF file (Portable Document Format, not the other PDF!) for download in due course.
Gormanston Camp was the venue for Annual Camp in 1992. In that year Sergeant Eamon Timlin was commissioned.
The Unit went to Castlebar for Annual Camp in 1993. The first female recruits joined “B”. Company on 14-7-1993, among those who joined on that day was Pte.Suzanne Wall, she went on to become the first female officer in the 21st Battalion.
The Battalion returned to the Glen of Imaal for the years 1994/95/96. On the social and personal side of the unit in 1996 the highlight was the wedding of Eamon Timlin and Suzanne Wall.
Mullingar Barracks was the host to the Battalion in 1997.1n addition to normal training, the preparation of a Guard of Honour for the Taoiseach to be held at Fitzpatrick’s Castle, Killiney, after camp was one of the priorities of that camp. In command of the Guard of Honour was Lt. Eamon Timlin, the colour party were Lt. Michael Campion, Sgt. Kevin Phelan and Sgt. Gary O’Toole. In charge of the training of the Guard was C.S. Noel Lyster and his hard work and that of others paid off, as the Guard of Honour was a resounding success drawing praise from the G.O.C.
This year saw the retirement of a very popular member of the unit, Sergeant Bernard Swan, known to his friends as Swanny, after 25 years service. Sergeant Suzanne Wall was commissioned and appointed as platoon commander in “B” Company. A very successful camp was held in Dundalk Barracks in 1998. One of the highlights of that camp was a visit of an Air Corps helicopter to familiarize the Recruit Platoon with the Border Area. Some Officers and Senior N.C.Os also got a sight seeing tour of the area. A/B.S.M. Fergie Doyle was not a happy man as the pilot weaved and rolled through the hills and almost landed on a small plateau and took off at great speed. Sergeant Johnny Byrne was orderly room Sergeant, and his fellow conspirator was A/B.S.M. Fergie Doyle and what a team that pair made.
Captain Rossa Lyons was transferred from “B”. Company to Battalion H.Q. as Battalion Operation’s Training Officer, and Sergeant Gavin Kelly was commissioned in November of that year.
The passing out parade for 2 to 3 Star’s was held in Wicklow, after which saw the retirement on age grounds of the last two members of ‘B’. Coy who had served in the South County Dublin Battalion, Capt John Bigley, who was one of the nine recruits who joined up when a new centre was established in Oatlands College on Sunday 6th September 1959. As Centre Commander he was the back bone of that centre for many years and B.Q.M.S. Peter Campbell (noted for his excellent recruiting and foraging ability) a well known member of the old Blackrock Centre. C.Q.M.S. Anthony Duggan also retired that year; all three were honoured at a function in the Royal Hotel in Wicklow. As a result Sergeant Johnny Byrne was promoted to C.Q.M.S. of ‘B’ Company.
1999 also saw the commissioning that year of Sergeant Lynda Doyle. Captain Kevin Browne was moved from ‘B’ Company to Battalion H.Q. as Adjutant and Captain John O’Toole was transferred from ‘A’ Company to ‘B’ Company as 2I/C. Romance again flourished in 2000 with the wedding of Lieutenant’s Gavin Kelly and Lynda Doyle. The first Senior Management Course for the Eastern Brigade took place in Tralee in 2002. ‘B’ Company was represented by Comdt. Patrick Holohan and CQMS. Johnny Byrne.
The stand down parade for CS. Noel Lyster’s was held during annual camp, where he was acting Sergeant Major. In addition to the 21 Battalion a Company from the 20 Battalion also participated. CS. Lyster had served 21 years in the PDF, seeing service in the Belgium Congo and Cypress. And then an additional 25 years in the F.C.A. November saw the promotion of ever popular C.Q.M.S. Johnny Byrne to the rank of B.Q.M.S. The vacancy caused by the promotion of C.Q.M.S Johnny Byrne and retirement of Noel Lyster resulted in the transfer back the following year to ‘B’ Company of CS. Ciaran Giles who had spent a brief period in ‘A’ Company, and the promotion of Sergeant Liam McNamara to C.Q.M.S. ‘B’ Company.
2004 began with the attachment to the proposed Brigade Training Centre of long serving members of ‘B’ Company. These were A/CQMS David Molloy, Sgt.Gavin Kavanagh, Cpl Ross O’Colmain, and Pte. Gareth O’Sullivan. This fledging unit was headed by Captain Rossa Lyons. Recruits from ‘B’ Company joined other members of the Battalion at Easter for recruit training in Kilbride Camp. Annual summer training also took place in Kilbride Camp with emphasis on weapon training, firing ARP’s and tactical training. BQMS Johnny Byrne acted as BSM for this camp.
In September there was a change of appointments in the Battalion. The following personal received new appointments, Capt. Alan Kavanagh to Bn. QM, Lt. S. Wall to Signals/ Recruiting Officer, Lt G. Kelly to Platoon Cmdr. A Coy, Lt E. Timlin to 2I/C. A Coy. Two members of ‘B’ Coy. were commissioned in November. These were Andy Reynolds and Paul O’Donovan. Andy spent the previous six years as an instructor on Command Potential NCO, Standard NCO and Tactical Training Courses. Paul had previous service with ‘B’ Coy. prior to serving for three years in the PDF during which he served in the Lebanon. The vast experience of these two new officers will be very beneficial both to the Company and the Battalion in the future.
The last Annual Training Camp for the 21 Infantry Battalion under the present Organization was held in the Glen of Immal from the 30th of July to the 14th of August. It was a very successful camp and they were blessed with the weather being dry and sunny 95% of the time. Sharing the camp with them were the 20 Infantry and the B.T.C. ( Brigade Training Centre). Support Staff from 20 Inf Bn.,11 S&T., 8 Bn., 7 BN., and the 2 M.P.C. ran the camp, supplying Personnel for Guard Duties, Fire Pickets, Security for Exercises and supplied some of the enemy for the Combined Exercise.
Lt. Paul O’Donovan and Sgt. Hempenstal of ‘B’ Coy. were in charge of Recruits and Captain Rossa Lyons (Ex ‘B’ Coy.) was I/C BTC. Camp H.Q. was staffed by Comdt Pat Holahan, acting Camp Commandant, Capt Kevin Browne Adjutant, Capt. Alan Kavanagh, QM. and Capt John O’Toole Ops. Officer.
In additional to normal training, the recruit Platoon was transported to Kilpedder Range to fire their Range Practice. Trained Personnel carried out a Base Camp Exercise, lasting two nights in Stanahealy Wood.; they also supplied some of the enemy for a night attack by the 2nd Battalion. The Officers and N.C.O.’s had a very enjoyable sociable evening in The Germaines Hotel, Baltinglass to mark the last camp of the 21 Infantry Battalion.
From Friday 30-9-2005, B. Company and the 21st. Infantry Battalion ceased to exist in their present form. It was an event that caused mixed emotions, some sadness at the ending of an era but a renewed optimism for the future. As and from Saturday 1-10-2005 the amalgamation of the 20th and the 21st. Battalion was implemented and the 62nd Battalion ( 62 Cathalan Coisithe Cultacha )was formed. “B” Company 21 Infantry Battalion became “B” Company 62 Infantry Battalion. Captain Kevin Browne was appointed Company Commander, of the newly established “B” Company, 62nd. Battalion.
The new Reserve Defence Forces (RDF), which replaced the FCA and An Slua Muiri were formally established on October 1st, 2005. Four officers in the new force were to hold the rank of Lt. Colonel one from each command. Commandant Patrick Holahan was the officer selected to be promoted to that rank in the Eastern Command.
At a ceremony in Limerick at which Eastern Command Reserve Defence Force was represented by LtCol. Patrick Holahan, ex Company Commander ‘B’ Company, the Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea said that the new reserve forces, part-time soldiers will be given better training and equipment, integrated more closely with the regular army, and given the chance to serve abroad. He (Minister O’ Dea) said that part-time soldiers with a particular skill or trade or profession would, after suitable training, would be given the chance to serve abroad with the regular army on peacekeeping missions.