While searching on Google I came across a document held in the National Library entitled “21st Inf Bn 1959-1980 by 2/Lt J Scannell” under call number 3A 2747 held in the Main Reading Room. I got a copy and scanned the text and reproduce it here. It remains copyright J Scannell 1980 and if he objects I will remove it. The full text is after the break
21 Inf Bn FCA1959 – 1980
Compiled by 2/Lt. J. Scannell
© 1989 2/Lt. J, Scannell
A 21st. anniversary is always a special occasion and last Wednesday, October 1st., it was the turn of the 21 Inf. Bn. F.C.A., whose headquarters are Rockbrae House, Bray, to celebrate the 21st anniversary of its formation.
As part of the Army policy of integration, on October 1st, 1959 the existing North and South Wicklow Bns 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, Shankill, Greystones and Newtownmountkennedy ,
‘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.
In 1960 the 21 Inf. Bn was part of the 2nd Bde and annual camps were held in Gormanstown. When the Eastern Command was re-organised: the 21 Inf. Bn became part of the 6 Bde, the annual camps were switched to Kilkenny. In 1968 the military barracks in Waterford was opened to the F.C.A. and annual camps have been held there ever since. An added bonus for those attending annual camp in Waterford is that the city is near the seaside resort of Tramore where members can avail of the holiday facilities.
Ceremonials have always been part of the 21 Inf. Bn’s life and every year Guards of Honour have been provided during annual camp for various high-ranking army officers who have visited the Bn over the years.
In 1968 the Bn. had the honour of providing a Guard of Honour in the grounds of Presentation College, Bray, for the late President Eamonn De Valera and the Officer i/c was Comdt. B. Smyth.
Again in 1975 the Bn. provided a Guard of Honour at Bray Town Hall for the late President C. 0’Dalaigh who was in Bray to unveil a sculpture in the grounds of Presentation College, The Officer i/c on this occasion was Capt. B. Hayden.
In addition to the above, Guards of Honour and Colour Parties have been provided for many religious and civil functions.
A sadder ceremonial task has been the provision of graveside firing parties for members of the Bn. who died while serving in an Forsa.
One of the current high spots in the ‘A’ Coy. year is Bray’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade where the national colours are carried by Unit members and every year the Unit has provided a body of men for the parade carrying the Bn. pennants.
While the North and South Wicklow Bns and South County Dublin Bn. no longer exist, these units have not been forgotten. Throughout the year the colours of these units stand on display in the Bn. Headquarters and are carried with the Bn. pennants in the St. Patrick’s Day parade – a day on which former members of An Forsa renew acquaintances.
On a more serious note, Capt. B. Smyth was in the hot seat in 1970 when the Unit was called on to provide security guards on vital installations due to the Northern trouble. The Bn. had the task of protecting Roundwood Reservoir and Callow Hill pumping station. Every weekend the Security Parties moved in and relieved the regular soldiers for the weekend.
The day and night patrols provided invaluable training for the men due to the terrain which consisted of woods, ponds etc. and occasionally intruders.
Even though the conditions were tough it was rare for members to cry off a detail, in fact members of the Unit were only too eager to be on details – and great stories about experiences of F.C.A. Guards at Roundwood are still told. Former Unit members will remember the loyalty and enthusiasm of all ranks who volunteered for this dangerous mission.
In 1971 ‘A’ Coy. decided to build an assault course at Rockbrae House and the then Lt. A. Teevan, Lt. D. O’TooIe and C.S. B. Murphy visited the Curragh assault course where they sketched and planned their own course. The course in Rockbrae House was built over three weekends by members of ‘A’ Coy, and is to this day the only assault course in the Eastern Command.
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 FCA 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 11th Motor Squadron, 11th Field Signal Coy., 11th Field Engineer Coy, 11th Field Supply and transport Coy., 5th Field Military Police Coy, and 11th. Field Medical Coy. had roles to play in this major exercise.
The Bn has also provided troops for Army exercises held over the years in the Dublin area.
Since the 21 Bn. is an Infantry Unit shooting has always been tightly contested by the various teams drawn from the 3 Coys. And the best known shooting teams have been from ‘C’ Coy. who regularly appear at the All Army F.C.A. Shoot held in the Curragh every year.
The Rifle Team from ‘C’ Coy, have won all major events including the greatest – the All Army F.C.A. Shoot.
‘C’ Coy. won the event under the command of Capt. H. Jordan and his then 2 i/c Lt. R. Conroy who also captained the Team to their glorious victory in 1973. The Team members on that occasion were Lt. R. Conroy, Team Captain, Sgt. B. Flynn from Wicklow town, Sgt, P. Foley from Arklow, Pte. Nolan from Glenmalure, Ptes McGrath and Parsons from Rathdrum and Pte. Halpin from Arklow.
In 1978, the L.M.G. team from ‘C’ Coy. won the All Army F.C.A. L.M.G. Shoot. The team under the command of the newly appointed Coy. Comdr. Capt. R. Conroy was Cpls Murphy, Doyle T. and Pte Nolan from Glenmalure. Pte Nolan won the first individual on that great day at the Curragh.
Finally a word of thanks to all the P.D.F. staff attached to the Bn. Who over the past 21 years have done much to improve the lot of the F.C.A. man.
And so with the first 21 years over, the 21 Inf. Bn. now settles down to a second 21 year stretch in which it is hoped there will be much to remember when the Bn. Celebrates its second coming of age on October 1st. 2011.