HQ Northern Ireland
Encyclopedia
HQ Northern Ireland was the command formation responsible for the administration of all British Armed Forces
stationed in and around Northern Ireland
. It was established in 1922 and disbanded, replaced by a brigade-level Territorial Army formation, 38 Brigade, in 2009.
in 1922 and was originally based at Newtownards
.
On 30 January 2006 the Secretary of State for Defence
announced to the House that 19 Light Brigade, then stationed at Catterick
, would be re-roling to a light brigade and relocating to Scotland
and Northern Ireland
.
On 10 May 2006 it was further announced that "in addition to the HQ and other units of 19 Light Brigade that we expect to relocate to Northern Ireland in 2007 and 2008, a new and non-deployable regional brigade headquarters will form at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn
. The current 107 (Ulster) Brigade, based at Ballymena
, will merge on 15 December this year into HQ 39 Infantry Brigade, which will itself be replaced by the new regional brigade headquarters, 38th (Irish) Brigade
under the command of the 2nd Division, on 1 August 2007".
On 6 August 2007 Headquarters Northern Ireland and 38 (Irish) Brigade combined to create a single transitional headquarters with a two star General Officer Commanding. HQ 38 (Irish) Brigade is now the main headquarters, residual regional functions having been migrated to HQ 2 Division in Edinburgh
.
The RAF's presence in Northern Ireland was based at RAF Aldergrove
.
The Royal Navy no longer maintain a regular presence in Northern Ireland waters with the disbandment of the Northern Ireland Squadron
. The Royal Navy's main presence is HMS Caroline
, which serves as the HQ of the Royal Naval Reserve
's Ulster Division.
Northern Ireland District
Northern Ireland Command
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
stationed in and around Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was established in 1922 and disbanded, replaced by a brigade-level Territorial Army formation, 38 Brigade, in 2009.
Organisation
HQ Northern Ireland was established following the partition of IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1922 and was originally based at Newtownards
Newtownards
Newtownards is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies at the most northern tip of Strangford Lough, 10 miles east of Belfast, on the Ards Peninsula. Newtownards is the largest town in the Borough of Ards. According to the 2001 Census, it has a population of 27,821 people in...
.
On 30 January 2006 the Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Defence
The Secretary of State for Defence, popularly known as the Defence Secretary, is the senior Government of the United Kingdom minister in charge of the Ministry of Defence, chairing the Defence Council. It is a Cabinet position...
announced to the House that 19 Light Brigade, then stationed at Catterick
Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison is a major Army base located in Northern England. It is the largest British Army garrison in the world with a population of around 12,000, plus a large temporary population of soldiers, and is larger than its older neighbour...
, would be re-roling to a light brigade and relocating to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
On 10 May 2006 it was further announced that "in addition to the HQ and other units of 19 Light Brigade that we expect to relocate to Northern Ireland in 2007 and 2008, a new and non-deployable regional brigade headquarters will form at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn
Lisburn
DemographicsLisburn Urban Area is within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and is classified as a Large Town by the . On census day there were 71,465 people living in Lisburn...
. The current 107 (Ulster) Brigade, based at Ballymena
Ballymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
, will merge on 15 December this year into HQ 39 Infantry Brigade, which will itself be replaced by the new regional brigade headquarters, 38th (Irish) Brigade
38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 38th Infantry Brigade was a British Army unit formed initially after the start of World War I, without the title 'Irish'.-History:...
under the command of the 2nd Division, on 1 August 2007".
On 6 August 2007 Headquarters Northern Ireland and 38 (Irish) Brigade combined to create a single transitional headquarters with a two star General Officer Commanding. HQ 38 (Irish) Brigade is now the main headquarters, residual regional functions having been migrated to HQ 2 Division in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
The RAF's presence in Northern Ireland was based at RAF Aldergrove
RAF Aldergrove
RAF Aldergrove was a Royal Air Force station situated northwest of Belfast. It adjoined Belfast International Airport, sometimes referred to simply as Aldergrove which is the name of the surrounding area...
.
The Royal Navy no longer maintain a regular presence in Northern Ireland waters with the disbandment of the Northern Ireland Squadron
Northern Ireland Squadron
The Northern Ireland Squadron was a unit of the Royal Navy. It was established during the conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles to interdict the movement by sea of illegal arms for paramilitaries and to provide other material support for anti-terrorist operations in Northern...
. The Royal Navy's main presence is HMS Caroline
HMS Caroline (1914)
HMS Caroline was a C-class light cruiser of the British Royal Navy. Caroline was launched and commissioned in 1914. At the time of her decommissioning in 2011 she was the second-oldest ship in Royal Navy service, after HMS Victory...
, which serves as the HQ of the Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
's Ulster Division.
Formation
- Permanent Units
- HQ Northern Ireland
- 15 Signal Regiment
- 38 Infantry Brigade38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)The 38th Infantry Brigade was a British Army unit formed initially after the start of World War I, without the title 'Irish'.-History:...
- HQNI Support Battalion
- 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)
- 591 (Independent) Field Squadron, Royal EngineersRoyal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
- 152 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic CorpsRoyal Logistic CorpsThe Royal Logistic Corps provides logistic support functions to the British Army. It is the largest Corps in the Army, comprising around 17% of its strength...
- 253 Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical CorpsRoyal Army Medical CorpsThe Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
- Queen's University Officer Training Corps
- B (North Irish Horse) SquadronNorth Irish HorseThe North Irish Horse is a yeomanry unit of the British Territorial Army raised in the northern counties of Ireland in the aftermath of the Second Boer War...
, Queen's Own YeomanryQueen's Own YeomanryThe Queen's Own Yeomanry is an armoured regiment of the British Territorial Army. The Queen's Own Yeomanry is the only Yeomanry regiment that serves in the formation reconnaissance role, equipped with the CVR family of armoured reconnaissance vehicles, including Scimitar and Spartan.On... - 40 (Ulster) Signal Regiment
- 206 (Ulster) Battery206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers)206 Battery Royal Artillery "The Ulster Gunners", is part of British Army's 105th Regiment Royal Artillery . It is a TA artillery sub-unit based in Northern Ireland and is split between two locations, Newtownards and Coleraine.-8th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery:The 8 HAA Regiment...
, 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)105th Regiment Royal Artillery The Scottish & Ulster Gunners is a British Territorial Army Regiment of the Royal Artillery. The regiment is part of 51st Brigade... - 204 Field Hospital, Royal Army Medical CorpsRoyal Army Medical CorpsThe Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
- No. 230 Squadron, RAFNo. 230 Squadron RAFNo. 230 Squadron is an RAF squadron, currently based at RAF Benson.The squadron was part of Royal Air Force Germany, operating the Puma HC.1 there from 1980. Following the drawdown at the end of the Cold War, the squadron disbanded on 30 April 1992...
(Former) - No. 3 Squadron, RAF RegimentRAF RegimentThe Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
- 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps
- 25 Engineer Regiment
- 8 Detachment, Lisburn, Northern Ireland - 243 Provost Company (Volunteers)
General Officers Commanding Northern Ireland
General Officers Commanding have included:Northern Ireland District
- General Sir Archibald CameronArchibald Rice CameronGeneral Sir Archibald Rice Cameron of Locheil GBE KCB CMG was a British Army General during the 1930s.-Military career:...
1922-1925 - General Sir Felix ReadyFelix ReadyGeneral Sir Felix Fordati Ready GBE KCB CSI CMG DSO was Quartermaster-General to the Forces.-Military career:Educated at Wellington College, Ready was commissioned into the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1891. He took part in the Nile Expedition and the Siege of Khartoum and also the Second Boer...
1926-1929 - General Sir Arthur WauchopeArthur Grenfell WauchopeGeneral Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope GCB GCMG CIE DSO was a British soldier and colonial administrator.-Military career:Educated at Repton School, Wauchope was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1893. He transferred to 2 Bn Black Watch in 1896.He served in World War I as...
1929-1931 - Major-General Sir Eric GirdwoodEric GirdwoodMajor General Sir Eric Stanley Girdwood KBE CB CMG was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:Educated at the Belfast Royal Academy Girdwood was commissioned into the Cameronians in 1899...
1931-1935 - Major-General James Cooke-CollisJames Cooke-CollisMajor-General Sir James Norman Cooke-Collis KBE CB CMG DSO was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:...
1935-1938 - Major-General Robert PollockRobert Pollock (British Army officer)Major-General Robert Valentine Pollock CBE DSO was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:Pollock was commissioned into the 15th Hussars in 1903...
1938-1940 - Major-General Hubert HuddlestonHubert HuddlestonMajor-General Sir Hubert Jervoise Huddleston GCMG GBE CB DSO MC was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:...
1940 - Major-General Ridley Pakenham-WalshRidley Pakenham-WalshMajor-General Ridley Pakenham Pakenham-Walsh CB MC was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:Pakenham-Walsh was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1908. He became an Instructor at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Australia in 1914.He served in World War...
1940-1941 - Major-General Vivian MajendieVivian MajendieMajor-General Vivian Henry Bruce Majendie CB DSO was an English cricketer and British Army General.-Military career:Majendie was commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry in 1905...
1941-1943 - Major-General Alan Cunningham 1943-1944
- Major-General Gerard BucknallGerard BucknallLieutenant General Gerard Corfield Bucknall, CB, MC was a British Army officer and corps commander during World War II.-Military career:...
1944-1948 - Major-General Ouvry RobertsOuvry Lindfield RobertsGeneral Sir Ouvry Lindfield Roberts, GCB, KBE, DSO was an officer in the British Army and the British Indian Army during World War I and World War II.-Military career:...
1948-1949 - Lieutenant General Sir Reginald DenningReginald DenningLieutenant-General Sir Reginald Francis Stewart Denning KCVO KBE CB MC was a British Army staff officer and administrator.-Military career:...
1949-1952 - Lieutenant General Sir John WoodallJohn Woodall (British Army officer)Lieutenant General Sir John Woodall KCMG KBE CB MC was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:Woodall was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1915 during the latter phases of World War I...
1952-1955 - Lieutenant General Sir Brian KimminsBrian KimminsLieutenant General Sir Brian Charles Hannam Kimmins KBE CB was General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland District.-Military career:...
1955-1958 - Lieutenant General Sir Douglas PackardDouglas PackardLieutenant General Sir Charles Douglas Packard KBE CB DSO was a British Army General who achieved high office in the 1950s.-Military career:Douglas Packard was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1923....
1959-1961
Northern Ireland Command
- Lieutenant General Sir John Hackett 1961-1963
- Lieutenant General Sir Richard AndersonRichard Anderson (British Army officer)Lieutenant General Sir Richard Neville Anderson KCB CBE DSO was a British Army General who achieved high office in the 1960s.-Military career:...
1963-1965 - Lieutenant General Sir Desmond FitzpatrickDesmond FitzpatrickGeneral Sir Geoffrey Richard Desmond Fitzpatrick, GCB, GCVO, DSO, MBE, MC was a senior British Army officer who served as commander of the British Army of the Rhine and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe...
1965-1966 - Lieutenant General Sir Ian HarrisIan Harris (British Army officer)Lieutenant General Sir Ian Cecil 'Tommy' Harris KBE CB DSO was a British Army General who reached high office in the 1960s.-Military career:Ian Harris was commissioned into the Royal Ulster Rifles in 1930....
1966-1969 - Lieutenant General Sir Ian FreelandIan FreelandLieutenant-General Sir Ian Henry Freeland GBE KCB DSO DL was a British Army officer, who most notably served as Army General Officer Commanding and Director of Operations in security matters in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of rioting in 1969, and the beginning of the Troubles.-Early career...
1969-1971 - Lieutenant General Vernon Erskine-CrumVernon Erskine-CrumLieutenant-General Vernon Forbes Erskine-Crum, CIE, MC was a British Army officer, who briefly served as General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland during the early period of the Troubles.-Regimental career:...
1971 - General Sir Harry TuzoHarry TuzoGeneral Sir Harry Craufurd Tuzo, GCB, OBE, MC was a British Army officer who was Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and GOC of the British Army in Northern Ireland during the early period of the Troubles.-Early life:...
1971-1973 - General Sir Frank KingFrank King (British Army officer)General Sir Frank Douglas King GCB MBE was a British Army officer who was General Officer Commanding of the British Army in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles...
1973-1975 - Lieutenant General Sir David HouseDavid HouseLieutenant General Sir David George House GCB, KCVO, CBE, MC was a British Army officer who was General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and later held the office of Black Rod.-Regimental career:...
1975-1977 - General Sir Timothy CreaseyTimothy CreaseyGeneral Sir Timothy May Creasey KCB OBE was a British Army officer who became General Officer Commanding of the British Army in Northern Ireland, as well as the commander of the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces....
1977-1979 - General Sir Richard LawsonRichard Lawson (British Army officer)General Sir Richard George Lawson KCB, DSO, OBE, KCSS is a former British Army officer, who served as General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, and later as Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces Northern Europe....
1979-1982 - Lieutenant General Sir Robert RichardsonRobert Richardson (British Army officer)Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Francis Richardson KCB CVO CBE was a British Army officer. Among other posts, he commanded a battalion and a brigade during the Troubles before becoming General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland....
1982-1985 - General Sir Robert PascoeRobert PascoeGeneral Sir Robert Alan Pascoe KCB MBE is a former Adjutant-General to the Forces.-Army career:Educated at Tavistock Grammar School and at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Pascoe was commissioned into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 1952...
1985-1988 - General Sir John WatersJohn Waters (British Army officer)General Sir Charles John Waters GCB CBE is a former Commander in Chief, UK Land Forces.-Army career:Educated at Oundle School, John Waters was commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment in February 1956. He was made Commanding Officer of 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regiment in 1975...
1988-1990 - General Sir John WilseyJohn WilseyGeneral Sir John Finlay Willasey Wilsey GCB, CBE, DL is a former Commander-in-Chief, UK Land Forces.-Army career:Educated at Sherborne School, John Wilsey was commissioned into the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment in 1959. He served in Northern Ireland between 1976 and 1977 where he was mentioned in...
1990-1993 - General Sir Roger Wheeler 1993-1996
- General Sir Rupert SmithRupert SmithGeneral Sir Rupert Smith KCB, DSO & Bar, OBE, QGM was an officer in the British Army until his retirement in 2002. He was educated at the Haileybury and Imperial Service College and later at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.- Military career :...
1996-1998 - Lieutenant General Sir Hew PikeHew PikeLieutenant-General Sir Hew William Royston Pike KCB, DSO, MBE is a retired British Army officer known for his service in the Falklands War and for his command in Northern Ireland.-Education and early career:...
1998-2000 - General Sir Alistair IrwinAlistair IrwinGeneral Sir Alistair Stuart Hastings Irwin KCB CBE is a former Adjutant-General to the Forces in the United Kingdom and Commandant of Sandhurst.-Army career:...
2000-2003 - Lieutenant General Sir Philip TrousdellPhilip TrousdellLieutenant General Sir Philip Charles Cornwallis Trousdell KBE CB is a former General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland.-Army career:Educated at Berkhamsted School, Philip Trousdell was commissioned into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968. He was Commanding Officer of 1Bn Royal Irish Rangers from...
2003-2005 - General Sir Redmond WattRedmond WattGeneral Sir Charles Redmond "Reddy" Watt KCB, KCVO, CBE was Commander-in-Chief at Land Command.-Army career:Reddy Watt was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford and was commissioned into the Welsh Guards in 1972...
2005-2006 - Lieutenant General Nick Parker 2006-2007
- Major General Chris BrownChris Brown (British Army officer)Lieutenant-General Christopher Charles Brown CBE was the last General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland.-Military career:Educated at Brentwood School and University College, Cardiff, Brown was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1974....
2008-2009