I found the text of Aidan Teevan’s history of the LDF, South County Dublin Bn and B Coy 21Bn online and am posting it here. I am breaking it up into sections for easier reading, but doing no other editing. This first section is the most recent “B Coy 21 Bn 1959-2005”. The text is Aidan’s and I hope he will not mind my posting it here – I found it in the public domain on-line. 

B Company 21 Infantry Battalion FCA 1959 – 2005

Following the integration on the 1st October 1959, the South County Dublin Battalion became B Company of the 21 Infantry Battalion (now B Company 62 Reserve Infantry Battalion). The officer in charge of the South County Dublin Battalion at that time was Captain T.A. Ryan and on integration he was appointed Officer Commanding B Company 21 Infantry Battalion.

The primary function of the 21 Infantry Battalion was the defence of airfields and vital installations. Due to the reorganisation there was a change in the composition and weapons of the rifle platoon and the introduction of the support platoon. With the introduction of the support platoon, the FCA was issued with additional weapons, the 81mm Mortar and the Vickers Machine Gun. Special courses were held for these weapons prior to integration, during the annual camps of 1959 and subsequent advanced courses for both weapons were held in 1961 and 1962. The duration of the initial courses were 6 weeks for the Vickers and 3 weeks for the mortar, the advanced courses for both weapons were for an additional two weeks. In B Company the support weapons were divided between two centres, the Mortar Section was in the Blackrock centre, and the Vickers in the Dundrum centre. It was decided in July 1960 that due to the lack of numbers in the Dundrum centre, one detachment of the Vickers Section be transferred to the Dun Laoghaire centre.

The 21 Infantry battalion attended annual camp in Gormanstown up to 1961, and then changed to Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny, as due to the reorganisation of the Eastern Command, the 21 Infantry Battalion became part of the 6th Brigade. When Waterford Barracks became available, the battalion opted to hold their annual camps there.

During the 1960s the Gustaf team lead by Lt. Des Walsh were very successful in many competitions, he was promoted to Captain in 1971 and appointed Battalion Adjudant.

In 1963 the company took part in the Guard of Honour in Croke Park for Cardinal Agagianian. At the outbreak of the troubles in Northern Ireland in 1969 members of the unit, at the request of higher authority, volunteered for full-time and part-time security duties, both on the border, and locally to guard vital installations. These duties, because of the numbers involved places a heavy burden on the Company. Normal security training and courses continued alongside the demanding security commitments.

A new battalion flash was introduced in 1970. And these were available at the price of three shillings each.

B Company was involved in many exercises over the years, both during annual camp and during the rest of the year. “Operation Timmie” was conducted during annual camp in Kilkenny in 1968. The company played a part in “Operation Glenview” that was held in 1973. It was a very extensive exercise involving three hundred FCA personnel, together with Panhard Armoured Personnel Carriers and a helicopter.

In 1975 Captain Jack Haughton, the Company Commander, was promoted Commandant and transferred as Area Commander Carlow. As a result of this vacancy, Lt. J.A Teevan was transferred from A Company, promoted Captain and appointed Company Commander of B Company.

A TEWT (Tactical exercise without troops) was held in 1976 on platoon in attack, for the NCO’s of the Company by Captain Teevan in the Kilpeddar area. This was followed at a later date by a platoon in attack exercise over the same ground.

“Operation Groupie” conducted by the 21 Infantry Battalion in 1978 at Kilruddery, County Wicklow, was supported by cops units from Eastern Command.

In that year Sgt. Pat Holahan (Now Lieutenant Colonel) and John Bigley were commissioned and stayed with the company as platoon commanders. The next year Sgt. Browne (now Captain) was commissioned and he also stayed with the company. In the following years two more Sergeants were commissioned, Rossa Lyons (now Captain) in 1981 and Alan Kavanagh (now Captain) in 1982.

Sergeant major Tom Byrne retired in 1983 after 42 years service. He was one of the longest serving members in the whole country, having joined the LDF Rathfarnham District Command in 1941, and he continued his service with the South County Dublin Battalion, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major, and on the reorganisation of the FCA in 1959, he became Sergeant Major of the 21 Infantry Battalion, an appointment which he held until his retirement.

As a result of the retirement of Sergeant Major Byrne, the following promotions took place. Company Sergeant (CS) Reynolds to Battalion Sergeant major, 21 Infantry Battalion; Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) Dickie Haughton to Company Sergeant, B Company; and Sergeant Peter Campbell to Company Quartermaster Sergeant, B Company, Corporal J Bryne (now Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant) to Sergeant.

In May 1984 a night attack exercise was held in the Kilpeddar area in conjunction with A Company.

On Sunday 4th November 1984 the Company was presented with its new pennant by Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Colonel Flemming at Rockbrae House. The Colonel also presented certificates to members of the company who had Twenty Five years service. Eastern Command FCA held a company group exercise on 5/6 May and the 21 Infantry Battalion supplied a platoon under the command of Lt. A Plunkett of B Company.

Annual camp 1985 was held in the Glen of Imaal and for a change they were blessed with good weather. During the camp, in addition to normal training, a very successful night exercise was held under the command of Lt. Pat Holahan. B Company supplied troops to the battalion from a Support Platoon fro “Operation Springtime”, a company in defence exercise in 1985. This exercise was conducted in the Wicklow area by Eastern Command FCA.

On Sunday 24th November the annual GOC’s inspection of the Battalion was carried out in Wicklow by Brigadier General Savino. After the inspection the 21 Infantry Battalion garden of Remembrance for deceased members of the Battalion was opened at the Murragh beside C Coy HQ.

The venue for Annual camp in 1986 was Kilkenny Barracks. Due to lack of accommodation, the battalion camp was over a period of two weeks. B Company occupied the camp for the first week, under the command of Captain Teevan with Lt. A. Nichol acting as adjutant, and A & C companies occupied the camp for the second week. During B Company’s period of camp the NCOs of the 30 Infantry Battalion presented Battalion Sergeant Major (BSM) Paddy Reynolds with a plaque in honour of it being his last camp before retiring.

The Company was involved in a 84mm anti-tank shoot in the Glen of Imaal in October. Lt. P. Holahan was the officer in charge, and in November the company was again in the Glen, this time firing the 60mm and 81mm mortars with Captain Teevan in charge. B Company, for their Christmas competition held a very successful programme of Riot Drill. Battalion Sergeant Major Paddy Reynolds retired in 1987 after 43 years service, 39 of those years with B Company. CQMS Peter Campbell was promoted to BQMS 21 Infantry Battalion to fill the vacancy left by Paddy, and his replacement as CQMS in B Company was Sgt. Paddy Whelan.

B Company participated in a company in attack exercise in the Glen of Imaal in March 1987. The mission of the exercise was for a company to move across the mountain from Glenmalure to set up a base camp in the Glen of Imaal for the night and the following morning to carry out a company in attack on enemy positions further down the Glen. The exercise was very successful despite the terrible weather conditions. The Company Commander for the exercise was Lt. Pat Holahan, and his 2ic was Lt. John Bigley. Lt. Arthur Plunkett acted as signals officer.

The Battalion held their annual camp in Tralee Barracks for the first time that year (1987) and it was a resounding success. Two TEWTS were held for officers during that camp. The first was a company in attack by Captain J.A. Teevan, and the second a company in defence by captain D Shortt. Both of these officers were assisted by Lt. Pat Holahan. One of the highlights of these two exercises was an excellent alfresco meal supplied at midday by Captain F Yorke. During camp the Battalion was honoured by a visit of the Officer Commanding Southern Command, Brigadier General F.D. O’Connell, a former O/C of the 21 Infantry Battalion.

Ex BSM Paddy Reynolds presented Sgt. J Byrne of B Coy with the P. Reynolds perpetual trophy, for the most outstanding NCO during the current year.

In October the Battalion conducted 81mm mortar and 84mm anti-tank shoots in the Glen of Imaal, Captain Teevan acted as safety officer and the officers in charge of the two shoots were, Lt. A Kavanagh and Lt. P. Holahan respectively.

Eastern Command was given the task in 1987 of raising money for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, and B Company participated by organising a gun-pull from Dalkey to Cathal Brugha Barracks collecting money along the way. It was a very successful operation. The total collected by the three companies of the Battalion was £9,715.00

The annual inspection by the GOC Eastern Command, Brigadier General Monaghan, was held that year in Blackrock College. The Blackrock College centre under the command of Lt. Rossa Lyons was the largest centre in the Battalion. A special mass was held in the college chapel for members of the centre and their parents. The mass was con celebrated by the priests of the college and Army Chaplain, Father Sheamus Dunican. The Rector of the College was very impressed by the turn out and thanked all concerned at the reception which was held afterwards.

Annual camp in 1988 was in Kilworth. The troops were transported to camp in double decker buses hired from CIE and true to form, one of the buses broke down just outside Dublin and resulted in a very slow journey to camp, arriving some four hours late. The potential NCOs course was conducted that year by B Company, the course was held in Rockbrae House and Cathal Brugha Barracks prior to camp and terminating in Kilworth Camp. The officer I/C of the course was Lt. P Holahan.

It was during this camp that the tragic death of Lt. Arthur Plunkett occurred. He was given full military honours, and all available officers and NCOs travelled from camp to Bray to participate in it. CS Dickie Haughton cancelled his stand-down parade, which was due to take place during camp, as a mark of respect. The postponed stand-down parade for CSD Dickie Haughton was held in October of that year in the Coastguard Station. Dickie had 34 years service, starting in the South County Dublin Battalion and finishing his service with B Company.

The vacancy caused by the retirement of CS Dickie Haughton was filled by Sgt. Noel Lyster. The company held a two day tactical exercise code named “Operation Crowfly” in August 1988 across the slopes of Kippure Mountain starting from Kilbride Camp and finishing at Glencree. The exercise was under the command of Captain J.A. Teevan, security was under the control of Lt. Pat Holahan and the platoon in attack was conducted by Lt. A Kavanagh.

On the 23rd of that month An Post issued a set of four stamps. The subject of this issue was “Irish Security Forces” and the stamps featured An Garda Siochana, the Army, The Navy / Aer Corps, and the Reserve Defence Forces (FCA and An Slua Muiri – the Naval Reserve). The reception to launch the stamps was held on board the L.E. Eithne in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Captain J.A. Teevan attended representing the FCA.

The officers of the company were introduced to the Steyr rifle for the first time on a Battalion field day held on 23 October 1988. The instruction and TOETS (Test of Elementary Training) for the officers in the Steyr were carried out in Rockbrae House and then fired at Kilpeddar Range. The day concluded with an orienteering competition for the officers in the Glenealy area.

In November 1991 Commandant J. A Teevan retired after 39 years service. He had served in the old 44th Battalion, by coincidence the same battalion from which Commandant Brendan White (Coy Commander B Coy, 1965 – 1969) has also served, before transferring to the South County Dublin Battalion in 1959. Lt. Teevan as he was then served in the 44th battalion until integration when it became B Company 20 Infantry Battalion. In 1970 he transferred to A Company 21 Infantry Battalion. In 1975 he was promoted to Captain and transferred to B Company as Company Commander, an appointment he held until his retirement. His stand-down parade was held in Cathal Brugha Barracks on Sunday 4th November. The officer in charge of the parade was Commandant P. Ferguson O/C C Company, and on the same day Commandant Teevan had the honour of being Parade Commander for the annual inspection of the Battalion by the GOC Eastern Command. In addition to the 21 Infantry Battalion, also taking part in the inspection was the 11 Field Signals Company (now 62 Reserve CIS – Communications and Information Services Company).

The first female recruits joined B Company on 14th July 1993. Among those who joined on that day was Pte. Suzanne Wall who later became the first female officer in the 21 Infantry Battalion.

During 1999 saw the retirement on age grounds of the last two members of B Company who had served in the South County Dublin Battalion, captain 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, and BQMS Peter Campbell (noted for his excellent recruiting and foraging ability), a well known member of the old Blackrock centre.