end NI tour 1981

Hey All,

Walters' grey matter failing.....YET again.

My I turn to those whose power of recall still functions and ask a Q ref the Op BANNER tour of NI, W Belfast, 1981.

I recall, of course, that we were held back at what should have been the conclusion of the tour for further Hunger Strike duties (and the amazing gallantry decorations which resulted, Mark Adams MM and JCW MC etc) and were then held in the Maze prison grounds before departure (the 'Blanket' photo etc), but when were we actually pulled off the streets and when did we depart the Emerald Isle?

Thanks guys......there is SO much collected memory and wisdom and willingness to help within the members of the Forum. Much appreciated.

Owen W

Feb 1981: (Northern Ireland)

Jul 1981: Germany: Lemgo 4 Armd Div

Bn took over Operational Command of West Belfast on 1 Mar 81 and handed over to RRW In July 81. The Bn finally left after the death and funeral of Joe McDonnell

It was Mark Adams MM, not Derek he is the much younger better looking one so he tells me lol

Gentlemen,

Many thanks for the rapid replies furnishing me with the info I sought. The Forum is am amazing resource for everything Royal Welch and much besides.

......and HUGE thanks for the name correction, which I have amended in the original. Even a choice of two seems to confuse Walters currently! Many thanks and apologies to both D and M.

Thanks one and all, Owen

Did the Regt Sec get his DCM at same time as Mark Adams?

Yep, he led his Platoon into the action and played a key personal part in the engagement as well.

An amazing end to what we all recall as a real experience of a tour; with the Hunger Strikes etc.

Owen

Bertie, if i remember right, it was 42 commando that took over from us in Belfast, not the RRW.

RRW joined us over there when the hunger strikers were dieing off. They must have been on spearhead battalion. We were due to leave Belfast on the first few days of July but held back for the July the 12th marches.

I think we left about the 15th July. Some of A Coy "sneaked" out of the Maze on the night of the 12th and went to a local loyalist bonfire for a few beers!!! 45 Commando took over from the battalion. The Co was Col Whitehead, who the following year led his guys in the Falklands campaign.

Again, gentlemen, very many thanks for the input.

Yes, your nudges have stirred by grey matter (rare event then or now) and I seem to recall it was, indeed, the Cdo who took over from us and RRW who 'reinforced' during the Hunger Strikes.

Most grateful. Owen