North Irish Brigade facts for kids
The North Irish Brigade was a special group, or Brigade, within the British Army. It existed for about 20 years, from 1948 to 1968. This brigade was made up of three important army groups, called regiments, from Northern Ireland. Each of these regiments became smaller, forming just one main fighting unit, or battalion, in 1948.
After World War II, the British Army had many places called depots where soldiers were trained and organized. One of these depots, named "Infantry Depot M," was located in Omagh, Northern Ireland. This depot was specifically for the regiments from that region.
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What Was the North Irish Brigade?
In 1948, the army changed the names of its depots. The depot in Omagh became known as the North Irish Brigade. At the same time, all the regiments that belonged to this new brigade were made smaller, each becoming a single battalion. The North Irish Brigade officially started on 14 July 1948. Its main job was to manage and organize the infantry regiments from Northern Ireland.
Regiments in the Brigade
The North Irish Brigade was formed to oversee these three famous regiments:
- The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
- The Royal Ulster Rifles
- The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's)
These regiments had a long history and were an important part of the British Army.
Where Was the Brigade Based?
From 1964 onwards, the North Irish Brigade had its main base at St Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena, a town in Northern Ireland. This barracks served as their headquarters for a few years.
How Did the Brigade Change?
The North Irish Brigade did not last forever. On 1 July 1968, the three regiments that made up the brigade joined together. They formed one much larger regiment called the Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and 87th).
At the same time, the North Irish Brigade itself joined with two other brigades: the Yorkshire Brigade and the Lancastrian Brigade. Together, these three brigades formed a new, bigger group called the King's Division. This change helped to make the British Army more organized and efficient.
