Well done for your birthday and the outstanding planning and preparation, from your lovely mum and dad, to have such good foresight for your birthday on this very special day for you and Northern Ireland 🇮🇪 🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊. From an ex soldier. What lovely countryside, has to offer. I loved it 😊.
Don’t forget the ECM! Violet Joker, White Sifter, Red Antler, good for interfering with TV reception when the big football matches were on TV in the pub and you could loiter the area. Apparently……..!
@@bugler75 that's a brilliant comment m8 I just couldn't help being petty it's in my nature.once had to clear a restaurant because of a suspect device in a bank about 400 yards away out of line of sight me and my hoppo eat well that night nice pint to team commander couldn't believe the cheek of us keith my body is wrecked that antler was so heavy hated it.
In the early 70s we carried the old A41 larkspur radios and the old LMG (Bren,) converted to 7.62 and over the 22 years I served equipment changed drastically.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd When we did the training for UNTAG (UN Tech Assistance Group Namibia) we got Brens for self defence. Our M60s were considered too aggressive or something. I still remember butt, body, barrel, buffer, bipod! Carried it, stripped it, cleaned it but on range day I was in the butts and we were forgotten about for a shoot!
When troops first deployed, they were wearing plain green 1960 pattern combats. It was basically a copy of the American M43 uniform. DPM was 1970 pattern, and units deploying to NI were priority for issue. All my tours were on the border, we never wore lightweights. We also had INIBA for when we patrolled in the town, which we didn't wear on rurals. A lot of us used chest rigs as they were easier to wear with a Bergen. On my first tour, 1988-89, we also had M16/M203 grenade launchers, one per multiple. These were withdrawn about half way through as they were thought to be 'too aggressive'.
Thank you Keith for this video. Keep it up, you have a gift. I like especially the way you keep politics out of it. Now, back tothe subjct in hand. In September 1971 I was in training at the RMPTC at Chichester when I and four other lads were ordered in front of the OC commanding basic training one afternoon and told that we should pack our kit in MFO boxes, take basic kit in sutcases and go home for a long weekend, then report to Heysham to take the ferry to Belfast one evening in the following week. We were all northern lads, two transferees and Geof (later shot in the head) both ex CCF boys. So we'd been in the army four months and no training specific to NI; In fairness there was none for our role. Our kit was olive greens, puttees, SD caps. Weapons were Sterling 9mm, Browning 9mm and truncheons. The Flak jackets that Keith remembers from later on were ex' Vietnam War yankee kit, some with collars some without, all smelly with Yank graffiti written on them some with with boodstains. Belfast was wild at that time. We, RMP, acted as a fast response team to RUC and our own people. I was the youngest Redcap/mokey in NI for 3 months. MY CSM gave me shit for a few weeks but I thank him for toughening me up. Later, when I was sationed At The ACP at Helmstedt (a mall detachment) he appeared as the WO and what a great bloke he was, enjoying his last days in the army.
I joined the RUC reserve in 86, we were still wearing tunics and Gannex greatcoats, "turtle shell" body armour, and carrying SMG's and M1 carbines. PPW was a Walther PP.
I first started going over to Northern Ireland in the mid 80s, about 84. We used to go to Fermanagh to fish the lower Lough Erne and I remember The RUC Carrying M1 Carbines and a some of them had Ruger Mini 14s as well if I remember right. Fermanagh was a Beautiful part of The World. I spent a lot of time In later years in Belfast, my missus is from there and to be honest I loved the place, mainly because of The People, so friendly and genuine 👍👍
@stephensmith4480 Sounds wonderful there. And yes there are more lovely people in Northern Ireland than bad. Thank you for taking the time to comment its very much appreciated.
Nice to see you making the rounds, FlyingHaggis, must catch up on some off yours vlogs. For a civi your PPP prevents PPP as you know and used it in one off your vlogs, many a moon ago 😊😊😊.
👍 I Love this. I did a 10 mile load carry Tab with the Paras a few years back but as all Matelots will tell you, Tabbing will get you there.. but Yomping will stop at more pubs 😉
I only had one tour with 2QUEENS in the Creggan 73-74. By then we had some more modern radio other than the A40 and A41, but what I remember was having Field Dressings gaffa taped onto buts . Patrol commanders had a little outline street map taped to their but as well. This had nick-numbers for easy coms. back to Company HQ. The prob. was the locals could hear and learnt what each nick referred to and could tell the patrol where they were! Some people experimented with putting these maps on an old tobacco tin (dates us!) which had a bit of perspex over put into a cut out on the lid and an electric light and batteries inside the tin so they could see in the dark! Our Bn. got through without any serious casualties because we always kept the baton buns slung and patrolled SLRs in hand. A Royal Anglian bn. that preceded us patrolled with the baton man with the baton gun at the ready and his SLR slung. This encouraged stone throwing and we felt put the patrol at risk in being diverted from looking for gunmen using stone throwers as a distraction. The following Bn. were Wooden Tops where their NCOs objected to being told to take cover by our privates when on introductory patrols!
Just found your channel, enjoyed the video my dad was in the RCT (Royal Corp of Transport) in 1980s and he remembers his kit well, also you'd sometimes carry A S6 respirator usually when Riots were likely. Thank you for your service ❤
Yes your Dads absolutely correct, we carried the S6 and then later the S10 respirators for riots. Hope your Dad is well, the RCT were a god send they were the ones that could handle driving the old Pigs. Thank you for commenting and your support it's very much appreciated.
In the Aussie Army (1977-86) we were lucky. I think I did one 2 week exercise with steel helmets, the rest of the time it was the hat, Utility, JG (giggle hat or bush hat) As MPs we would wear our cherry berets in rear areas on exercise, bush hats or slouch hats (not your parade one) when up the sharp end. In the Engineers we had Vietnam era flak jackets which I only ever wore on the same exercise as the helmet, fortunately it was winter. That was an NBC exercise so we had the suits, boots and gloves, gasmasks etc. Thankfully only once nd never again. We put one on a mannequin and set off a claymore mine... stopped sod all! Our booby trap and IED instructors were a pair of RE corporals on exchange, just back from NI. Really switched on NCOs, as you'd imagine.
Wow, I can imagine the damage caused to the old flak jacket. I didn't mind wearing the noddy suit when it was really cold but apart from that they were nasty. Thank you for commenting.
@@bugler75 we had the Vietnam veterans plus the NI vets, so we were well trained. This was also the time of parcel bombs and letter bombs. We even had the 'Woolies Bomber' who planted IEDs in Woolworths stores for ransom. I got called out on a couple of those in the Engr Bomb Search Team. Your whole perspective radically changed as you sat in the back of the truck on the way, finally realising this was real and things could get very noisy. The Brit NCOs injected a sense of reality to our training so we took it more seriously than before... just in time for the Woolies jobs. Never found anything, never had a live one after the first, from memory. Rather glad, actually.
@@fatmanfaffing4116 it was better have you fellas there and trained for these events. Did any of your Sappers ever come up to UK to do a tour in NI? We had a Captain from the NZ Infantry seconded to us in NI serving on an operational tour. A very good Officer, he would bring out a coffee to the sangar at 0300 for the sentry when he was Orderly Officer (BHQ at Malone Rd Belfast).
@@bugler75 FAIK no ORs were ever allowed to go to NI when on LongLook or any other exchange program but I know officers who were. A mate of mine who did the MP basic course later became an officer and was on exchange when his unit went to Gulf War 1. He went too and scored an Iraqi motorcycle side car combination; brought it back to the UK and bought it off Regt. funds. However when he was going back to Oz they wanted it back so he put a bunch of old washing machine parts in a crate and dropped that off at the Q store while sending the combination home via the RAAF. He used to ride to work in it with a scarf pinned out with some wire; quite the character, an ex-tankie. But I digress...
In the early days we were authorized to cut side slits in the ammo pouches so that we could wear them as belt kit and without the yoke, and in Bally Kinler where the NIRT training was done you could get your boots modified by a local cobbler for £5, to make them high boots.
Really enjoying your videos, only recently discovered them. Ex RAF Regt, 6 yrs Regular. Done a 22month tour on Banner '88-89, loved it as a young bloke for the most part. Everything you've described is bang on from when I was there. Signals & ECM kit changed as well & aye changing to the SA80 was beneficial...only in NI though, I missed the SLR on other deployments later on!!I Keep up the good work Sir Kind regards
Served in NI all of 1974 & 1975. Drove all over and some heli drops as REME PRE Team. Civi cloths all the time, carrying a brief case, felt a right divi. Inspected regular and tour units everywhere, even police posts right on the border. Go by Armouered Pig to some hot locations (West Belfast). Work nights, sleep days during General Strike building Pig suspention units as civi's on strike. When in L'Derry accomodated on WW2 Liberty ship in the river. Only benefit - no BFTs!
Yep those were the days when the sa80 came out there was a few teething problems with it, I loved the SMG I could strip that down blindfolded taught in the 80s still remember it now that good army training
Originally the front ceramic plate was curved and the rear plate was flat. My best guess is they replaced the flat plate with the curved version because it lacked structural integrity. 🙂
The comfict in ulster should never be forgotten. Got nothing but admeration for any vetrans that served there. If you blokes had not been there it would have been worse than it was all the best ftom an ulster loyalist
Steve, that's a really great comment mate. All OP Banner vet's should be remembered for their contribution especially the UDR guys and girls. Cheers my friend.
I was REME attached to 1 KOSB. We were deployed to Belfast in 1979. I remember that we had to modify all the Landrovers before we went. Gave them a shell of makrolon, a fold up grid for the windscreen and a cheesewire cutter on top.
Pig driver on my 2nd tour 1981-82 which was in Belfast we had SLRs. Although I had an SMG in 1976-77 as an infantry radio operator in Germany, when we went to Londonderry I got an SLR. I released in 1982 and they were testing the SA80, Clansman radio, and the Crusader Tank Transporter, from what I heard I didn’t miss anything. 😂
Whiterock rd belfast June 81 just me and the RCT driver on escort little 5 year old scrote in short trousers got a direct hit with a petrol bomb exploded on our open hatches flames on him and me had to put him out he said thanks pal what a guy went to whiterock base on the way back they had put a car in the middle of the rd to try and stop us no prob to this guy he just rammed it what a legend ❤❤❤😂😂. then on the reverse side xmas day 79 RCT driver reversed his pig over my pack in Rosemount police station managed to save my boogie box xmas cake made a right mess 😢😢😢😢.seriously you RCT GUYS WITH YOUR PIG DRIVUNG SCOOBY DOO,S AND PADDY PUSHERS AND MEDIC SARACENS😊😊😊.YOUR BARS WERE PRETTY GOOD TO❤
The classmates radio and crusader were the better of the 3 improvements. The SA80 should have taken some point from the French FAMAS rifle. The FMAS had 2 extractors. A primary for most use and a secondary for other hand use. The receiver cover was hard plastic and removable. Switching it from one side to the other in about 2 seconds allowed using left or right hand cover as required. French ingenuity at it's best. The magazines held 25 rounds but it could fire rifle grenades without modification.
I was on standbye to go to the Falklands in April 1982, i went down to the the army navy store in exeter, bought a pair of german para boots... Best buy i ever did. then went to Falklands no probs with feet
First tour I did 86 we had slr, s bren guns, armalites and gimpy, second tour sa80 and sa80 extended with tripod which replaced the bren (think it was called smg. Not sure now) and only had gimpies in the sangers. Still had to buy your own decent boots, coats etc. and rations 😊 Both border tours so your army issue combats got shredded after a few weeks, happy days. 😊
7 Non ceasefire tours for me & a couple after the Good Friday Agreement (which I don’t really count. W Belfast, S Armagh, W & S Fermanagh & SE & W Tyrone. Bar one summer City tour all the others were winter, & only two were the original 4 month deployments…the rest being six months. As a young Lance Jack (not a paid rank back in the 1980’s in the RM) It’s where I feel I cut my teeth. Berets changed to the Combat Helmet in July ‘89 when we were the BRB during the 20th Anniversary of “The Troubles”. Out in the cuds…tbh I developed an almost “jungle routine” getting piss wet through whilst moving & carrying often 4-7 days of scran & kit on extended patrols. I used to put on the Arctic Issue padded zip up trousers & button up top before getting in my issue slug if that was tactically sound. In my bag I’d change into a black pair of slip on cheap plimsoles & put my boots inside a sandbag inside my sleeping bag. On some patrols we just took along a couple of Pussers issue brown wooden blankets … since it would be 2 on watch & 2 under a couple of blankets for a couple of hours. Scarpa 3 season boots, Berghaus Yeti Gaiters & sometimes in lieu of them the first issue full below the knee length GoreTex socks although they were not feasible for Yomping/Tabbing in since your foot got soaking wet just from sweating!!! No NIIBA in the cuds…always in the urban areas. You really learned to utterly minimise what you actually needed. The advent of Epigas stoves with the rubberised tube to the gas tank was a revelation. I must have taken a few young lads through this harsh & arduous routine. On one 6 month rural tour as the Multiple 2i/c I distinctly remember at the end of the tour totting up the amount of 24hr ORP I had drawn for us … 4 months & 12 days worth. That’s how many nights we spent out on the ground. We were as fit as butchers dogs.
Fantastic and detailed account, bought back some memories. Those rural tours and 6 day patrols really sap the morale. Thank you very much for sharing that, your comments are very much appreciated mate 👍
Main reason for wearing combats trousers on riots (I’ve been in a few West Belfast ones) was the fact that combats had liners, when combat 95 came in you had to wear long joins.
the NI gloves were usually referred to as "paddy bashers" because of the extra reinforcing over the knuckles and I still till wear them when walking the dogs lol.
You covered it very well Sir, but used my smock, German Para boot and my faithful Norwegian shirt a great bit kit. Wind proof, warm even when wet and dries very quickly. As always good research and a great vlog Sir.😊😊.
I remember ECBA replacing the old flak jackets INIBA kit. I can remember being told not to wear helmets as it was too aggressive lol. I remember sleeping in full kit with just my webbing belt undone in RUC stations as bombs went off and we got banged out again into the Rovers and Pigs and off into the night. I remember the old Europa Hotel where journos would buy you whiskey trying to scoop the gen. Egg banjos and tea that took the enamel off your teeth. Constant rain and deep hatred by the population. Give me sun, sand and camels anytime lol.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd I still knock myself up an egg banjo on a beach tab, can't beat them lol. The "good" old days Sarnt Major, when we were kids bored, scared and excited all the time and life was a game.
I remember the first flak jackets with the flat black patches on the shoulders, also the first NI gloves with the pads in the backs of the fingers and knuckles. Anyone remember Twiggy the huge night sight?
Imagine a traffic cone turned on its side, slightly smaller and mounted on a small tripod. In green kit I saw them mostly with COTs and occasionally in certain OPs and Sanger’s. In another life we had more than you could shake a stick at!@@LetsTab59-bd4fd
Right of passage split ring from throwing your first live grenade, leather padded gloves and NI high-leg boots from NI along with Yellow card and green cards, blackened metal Reg badge, note book with stop and search notes.
I myself had a 2 year tour beginning in 78. The helmet I wore when I was out the top of the land rover was a pain in the backside. The visor would not stay up and kept flopping down so we used to use a field dressing and stuck it under the raised visor. The OC did not like us doing this and we were told not to do it. Not long after that the OC was hit in the face with a milk bottle containing battery acid because he himself used a field dressing under the visor. I did not like the idea of only being given 10 rounds of ammunition when on on patrol. Think that was a decision made by our officers. I still have a de-ac SLR black stock rifle with the suit sight in my home. I pick it up now and then and wonder how the heck I managed to carry the thing around all day long? Feels much heavier now then it used to. Old guy syndrome.
When we got issued combat boots in 79 i was told they were compressed cardboard .NI gloves just for protection didnt keep your hands warm.my 1st flak jacket had a zip had to exchange it because if you got shot in the chest zip would enter you to .flak jackets were always minging 😂😂😂 collars stinking .on 81 tour in Belfast guys got issued anti flame light weights like some thing issued in the 60s .on 85 armagh tour 1 guy in the team carried M79 grenade launcher our team commanders carried M16 armalites and a few of the guys and each team had an LMG.and Norwegian shirts to great invention ❤❤❤
We did our conversion training on the SA80 in Palace Barracks, going down to the ranges at Ballykinlar the platoon idiot fell getting into the back of the 4 tonner and bust the hand guard into a hundred tiny pieces needless to say the CSM wasnt amused
@roberthewer2268 I know they told us it was very complicated with training videos they we seen for ourselves Compared to the SLR it's was more awkward fr daily cleaning too many small parts My favourite was the firing pin retaining pin The number of guys I saw doing the TOET's or their APWA who forgot about that was hilarious until the DS caught you laughing
Depending on when you served you would know it as Borucki (‘Brookie’) sangar or Golf 5-0. Turn right out of SF base into Cullaville Road and it stood at the edge of the town square. It was named after a para James Borucki who was killed by a booby trap bomb in a bicycle left on the corner in Aug 76. The sangar and tower were built off site and helo’d in. For that reason it had to be small dimensions and was really awkward for two back to back with weapons so it was usually single manned and a manikin was place in front of one of the unmanned embrasures. Access was via a ladder dropped down on stag changeovers. It was built due to the high number of casualties taken in the square by unobserved PIRA sneaking in and setting booby traps and ambushes. @@LetsTab59-bd4fd
Sort of served on op Banner from 76 to 02, I was a MOD CAP with the RMP and the Green Howard's at Alexander Bks then the UDR and Royal Irish untill 01 got called back in 02 for an Investigation, got my golden jubilee for that lol
I've been massively enjoying listening to your experiences served in Northern Ireland. Massive respect to you and all who served I thank you for your part in preserving the union. There is something so awesome and iconic about the Summer kit during the early years with the old flak vests you guys wore paired with the SLR. I was wondering if during your time here did you have any run ins with the likes of the RUC Special Branch or anything that was kept particularly "hush hush" if you know what I mean. Here's a great video that will hopefully bring you some nostalgia. ruclips.net/video/8xv5vkLwDVk/видео.html
Cheers Tomo, thank you for your support and kind words it's really appreciated. I do remember having a couple of SF guys joining us on a foot patrol near the boarder and after a couple of hours they just slipped away, before they left they marked a couple of grid squares on my map with a red marker pen and told me I should avoid leading the patrol into that area. Spooky.
Please forgive me Sir, I'm 67 with eyesight issues. Can't make out your cap badge. What regiment were you in? I'm former Death or Glory Boys - 17/21st Lancers, joined early '70s. Great channel, brings back some memories i can tell you! 🤫
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd thank you for your kind words too. Looked up your regiments history. Something to be proud of for sure. Take care, and do a 20 miler for me! 🙂
@jamesmorgan9474 20 miler! We did manage a 26.2 mile night march last November over Remembrance, there is a video on here of us. I will be doing more fundraising tabs this year.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fdjust finished watching the four videos. Berets off lads! Mad respect to you and Tracy. Did the South Downs Way in 2021, you know, when we were told to stay in and not contaminate each other. 😱 Was spotted a few times by Old Bill but none of them came over and said anything. Did more 25 milers in the Cadets (Royal Engineers TA unit) than I ever did in the regulars. Stay safe and healthy both of you. 👍💪
Dont forget the other branches like royal marines, Raf, and Rn. They were all involved, i was with the RN doinv sea patrols we had same weopns but were slightly different. Slr or fnla we only had the semi automatic version. Smg naval version gpmg naval version. Browning pistol had a mind of its own pretty dangerious safety did not alway work.
Yes, well brought up, the RN were heavily involved in OP Banner and of course the RAF who were indispensable for air operations. The RN air service were particularly good with their helicopter support, great air crews. Thank you for commenting.
In a unit I served the RSM was an evil sadistic individual, who was pissed before NAAFI break. (In the end, he had to leave due to sexual misconduct!!!) Malibu, said it was milk... Soldiers under SSgt were required to wear shirts hairy.... I read unit regs, I was a Cpl at the time. It started if you wore barrack dress you could wear No.2 shirts.... On the Monday morning RSMs parade I was wearing a No.2 shirt. The RSM tried to intimidate me with his pace stick as to why I was wear a No2 dress shirt... I showed him later that day the para in unit regs.... Needless to say a lot more soldiers wore Barrack dress! Oh NI boots were great for a good BFT time!
Thinking back now, putties were an antique item even then! Crazy, we must have been one of the only western armies to have held on to such a useless bit of kit for so long.
Why do Brits say " Out There " surely when us N Ireland people talk about England we say "Over there"...Out there sounds like it is half way around the globe and not 14 miles from Great Britain
Bloody good point jock, well spotted, mate I don't know in fact until you mentioned it I'd never looked at it like that. Thank you I feel a bit humbled now. 🙂
Chest webbing in the 90s and N.I day sack. Replaced GPMG with LSWs which seemed daft. Best thing for us was we could actually wear our own boots danner etc.
Joy to listen to your experiences I was born in NI on good friday the day the conflict officially ended thank you for your service.
That's very kind of you, many thanks.
Well done for your birthday and the outstanding planning and preparation, from your lovely mum and dad, to have such good foresight for your birthday on this very special day for you and Northern Ireland 🇮🇪 🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊. From an ex soldier. What lovely countryside, has to offer. I loved it 😊.
Don’t forget the ECM!
Violet Joker, White Sifter, Red Antler, good for interfering with TV reception when the big football matches were on TV in the pub and you could loiter the area.
Apparently……..!
Yes ECM , forgot to mention the deferent systems, thank you for bringing them up, brilliant job!
I was told it would send ATMS nuts to load of bollocks that😂😂😂😂😂 true about tv reception 😂😂😂 did it on purpose
@@roberthewer2268 Im admitting to nothing ! 😂😂😂
But if we couldn’t watch the match then they weren’t either 😂
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd My back hasn’t forgotten them 😂
@@bugler75 that's a brilliant comment m8 I just couldn't help being petty it's in my nature.once had to clear a restaurant because of a suspect device in a bank about 400 yards away out of line of sight me and my hoppo eat well that night nice pint to team commander couldn't believe the cheek of us keith my body is wrecked that antler was so heavy hated it.
In the early 70s we carried the old A41 larkspur radios and the old LMG (Bren,) converted to 7.62 and over the 22 years I served equipment changed drastically.
Yes remember the Bren converted to 7.62 mm as LMG. Cheers for that 👍
Peter, did my sigs training 1980, Larkspur, 13 weeks on Larkspur and morse, got to my Commando unit they had Clansman radios, WTF !!!
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd When we did the training for UNTAG (UN Tech Assistance Group Namibia) we got Brens for self defence. Our M60s were considered too aggressive or something. I still remember butt, body, barrel, buffer, bipod! Carried it, stripped it, cleaned it but on range day I was in the butts and we were forgotten about for a shoot!
@@fatmanfaffing4116 good old gun and very accurate 👌
Early to mid 80's we still had the Bren gun, on the NI borders.
When troops first deployed, they were wearing plain green 1960 pattern combats. It was basically a copy of the American M43 uniform. DPM was 1970 pattern, and units deploying to NI were priority for issue. All my tours were on the border, we never wore lightweights. We also had INIBA for when we patrolled in the town, which we didn't wear on rurals. A lot of us used chest rigs as they were easier to wear with a Bergen. On my first tour, 1988-89, we also had M16/M203 grenade launchers, one per multiple. These were withdrawn about half way through as they were thought to be 'too aggressive'.
Nice one Jimmy, yes I remember M16's being carried by one guy in the multiple. Cheers for your comment 👍
Yes we had them and we carried light machine gun as well as a gimpy. 😊
Thank you Keith for this video. Keep it up, you have a gift. I like especially the way you keep politics out of it. Now, back tothe subjct in hand. In September 1971 I was in training at the RMPTC at Chichester when I and four other lads were ordered in front of the OC commanding basic training one afternoon and told that we should pack our kit in MFO boxes, take basic kit in sutcases and go home for a long weekend, then report to Heysham to take the ferry to Belfast one evening in the following week. We were all northern lads, two transferees and Geof (later shot in the head) both ex CCF boys. So we'd been in the army four months and no training specific to NI; In fairness there was none for our role. Our kit was olive greens, puttees, SD caps. Weapons were Sterling 9mm, Browning 9mm and truncheons. The Flak jackets that Keith remembers from later on were ex' Vietnam War yankee kit, some with collars some without, all smelly with Yank graffiti written on them some with with boodstains. Belfast was wild at that time. We, RMP, acted as a fast response team to RUC and our own people. I was the youngest Redcap/mokey in NI for 3 months. MY CSM gave me shit for a few weeks but I thank him for toughening me up. Later, when I was sationed At The ACP at Helmstedt (a mall detachment) he appeared as the WO and what a great bloke he was, enjoying his last days in the army.
Thanks again for your kind words of support it means alot. 71 in N.Ireland must have been rough as. Thank you for sharing your story, appreciated 👏
I joined the RUC reserve in 86, we were still wearing tunics and Gannex greatcoats, "turtle shell" body armour, and carrying SMG's and M1 carbines. PPW was a Walther PP.
Yes I remember you guys carrying M1's. Tough job you guys had, much respect 🙏
I first started going over to Northern Ireland in the mid 80s, about 84. We used to go to Fermanagh to fish the lower Lough Erne and I remember The RUC Carrying M1 Carbines and a some of them had Ruger Mini 14s as well if I remember right. Fermanagh was a Beautiful part of The World. I spent a lot of time In later years in Belfast, my missus is from there and to be honest I loved the place, mainly because of The People, so friendly and genuine 👍👍
@stephensmith4480 Sounds wonderful there. And yes there are more lovely people in Northern Ireland than bad. Thank you for taking the time to comment its very much appreciated.
I appreciate this Olde Soldier 07
What an interesting, articulate and detailed explanation of N.I. kit, really facenating to me as a civillian 80s surplus user. Cheers, be the best 👌
Thank you very much
Nice to see you making the rounds, FlyingHaggis, must catch up on some off yours vlogs. For a civi your PPP prevents PPP as you know and used it in one off your vlogs, many a moon ago 😊😊😊.
@@davidkelly8299 Thanks David,very good of you to say, much appreciated. Harry 👍
Urban Patrol Boot made a very brief appearance, We had them on a 77 Tour . Very light but not long lasting
That's right they fell apart and the end of a tour
👍 I Love this. I did a 10 mile load carry Tab with the Paras a few years back but as all Matelots will tell you, Tabbing will get you there.. but Yomping will stop at more pubs 😉
I'm all for that, fantastic, thanks
I only had one tour with 2QUEENS in the Creggan 73-74. By then we had some more modern radio other than the A40 and A41, but what I remember was having Field Dressings gaffa taped onto buts . Patrol commanders had a little outline street map taped to their but as well. This had nick-numbers for easy coms. back to Company HQ. The prob. was the locals could hear and learnt what each nick referred to and could tell the patrol where they were! Some people experimented with putting these maps on an old tobacco tin (dates us!) which had a bit of perspex over put into a cut out on the lid and an electric light and batteries inside the tin so they could see in the dark!
Our Bn. got through without any serious casualties because we always kept the baton buns slung and patrolled SLRs in hand. A Royal Anglian bn. that preceded us patrolled with the baton man with the baton gun at the ready and his SLR slung. This encouraged stone throwing and we felt put the patrol at risk in being diverted from looking for gunmen using stone throwers as a distraction.
The following Bn. were Wooden Tops where their NCOs objected to being told to take cover by our privates when on introductory patrols!
Great account of the 70's on OP Banner. I remember the Butt maps and field dressings very well. Thank you for commenting 🙏
Just found your channel, enjoyed the video my dad was in the RCT (Royal Corp of Transport) in 1980s and he remembers his kit well, also you'd sometimes carry A S6 respirator usually when Riots were likely. Thank you for your service ❤
Yes your Dads absolutely correct, we carried the S6 and then later the S10 respirators for riots. Hope your Dad is well, the RCT were a god send they were the ones that could handle driving the old Pigs. Thank you for commenting and your support it's very much appreciated.
In the Aussie Army (1977-86) we were lucky. I think I did one 2 week exercise with steel helmets, the rest of the time it was the hat, Utility, JG (giggle hat or bush hat) As MPs we would wear our cherry berets in rear areas on exercise, bush hats or slouch hats (not your parade one) when up the sharp end. In the Engineers we had Vietnam era flak jackets which I only ever wore on the same exercise as the helmet, fortunately it was winter. That was an NBC exercise so we had the suits, boots and gloves, gasmasks etc. Thankfully only once nd never again. We put one on a mannequin and set off a claymore mine... stopped sod all! Our booby trap and IED instructors were a pair of RE corporals on exchange, just back from NI. Really switched on NCOs, as you'd imagine.
Wow, I can imagine the damage caused to the old flak jacket. I didn't mind wearing the noddy suit when it was really cold but apart from that they were nasty. Thank you for commenting.
We learnt a lot about booby traps in NI.
Glad it was put to good use with our brothers and sisters from Australia.
@@bugler75 we had the Vietnam veterans plus the NI vets, so we were well trained. This was also the time of parcel bombs and letter bombs. We even had the 'Woolies Bomber' who planted IEDs in Woolworths stores for ransom. I got called out on a couple of those in the Engr Bomb Search Team. Your whole perspective radically changed as you sat in the back of the truck on the way, finally realising this was real and things could get very noisy. The Brit NCOs injected a sense of reality to our training so we took it more seriously than before... just in time for the Woolies jobs. Never found anything, never had a live one after the first, from memory. Rather glad, actually.
@@fatmanfaffing4116 it was better have you fellas there and trained for these events.
Did any of your Sappers ever come up to UK to do a tour in NI?
We had a Captain from the NZ Infantry seconded to us in NI serving on an operational tour.
A very good Officer, he would bring out a coffee to the sangar at 0300 for the sentry when he was Orderly Officer (BHQ at Malone Rd Belfast).
@@bugler75 FAIK no ORs were ever allowed to go to NI when on LongLook or any other exchange program but I know officers who were. A mate of mine who did the MP basic course later became an officer and was on exchange when his unit went to Gulf War 1. He went too and scored an Iraqi motorcycle side car combination; brought it back to the UK and bought it off Regt. funds. However when he was going back to Oz they wanted it back so he put a bunch of old washing machine parts in a crate and dropped that off at the Q store while sending the combination home via the RAAF. He used to ride to work in it with a scarf pinned out with some wire; quite the character, an ex-tankie. But I digress...
The only thing the flap jacks did was to keep you warm ,, Stay safe Sir
Very true 👍
I am slightly taller than the average squaddie, 6'4" they only covered my upper chest....
@@TheJon2442 Are you an Ex Guardsman’s , 🫡
In the early days we were authorized to cut side slits in the ammo pouches so that we could wear them as belt kit and without the yoke, and in Bally Kinler where the NIRT training was done you could get your boots modified by a local cobbler for £5, to make them high boots.
🪖🫡
Really enjoying your videos, only recently discovered them.
Ex RAF Regt, 6 yrs Regular.
Done a 22month tour on Banner '88-89, loved it as a young bloke for the most part.
Everything you've described is bang on from when I was there.
Signals & ECM kit changed as well & aye changing to the SA80 was beneficial...only in NI though, I missed the SLR on other deployments later on!!I
Keep up the good work Sir
Kind regards
Thanks John, your support is very much appreciated mate. Much respect to the Infantry of RAF Regt.
Served there with the RAF early 90's and we still had SLR and LMG (BREN).
Good channel sir, keep it up 👍🏻
Cheers Steve, always good to hear from the RAF mate, nice one.
Served in NI all of 1974 & 1975. Drove all over and some heli drops as REME PRE Team. Civi cloths all the time, carrying a brief case, felt a right divi. Inspected regular and tour units everywhere, even police posts right on the border. Go by Armouered Pig to some hot locations (West Belfast).
Work nights, sleep days during General Strike building Pig suspention units as civi's on strike.
When in L'Derry accomodated on WW2 Liberty ship in the river.
Only benefit - no BFTs!
Yep those were the days when the sa80 came out there was a few teething problems with it, I loved the SMG I could strip that down blindfolded taught in the 80s still remember it now that good army training
SMG was a cracking bit of kit.
INIBA had ceramic plates and not steel plates, later plates were curved rather than flat so the corners did not wear through the jacket fabric.
Thank you Chris, my error, well spotted 👍
Sorry to be pedantic (ex-Sapper of course!!) but the plates were concave, 'bullet proof' glass, off-centre to cover the heart!
Originally the front ceramic plate was curved and the rear plate was flat. My best guess is they replaced the flat plate with the curved version because it lacked structural integrity. 🙂
The comfict in ulster should never be forgotten. Got nothing but admeration for any vetrans that served there. If you blokes had not been there it would have been worse than it was all the best ftom an ulster loyalist
Steve, that's a really great comment mate. All OP Banner vet's should be remembered for their contribution especially the UDR guys and girls. Cheers my friend.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd💯
Takes me back sir, a joy to listen to thank you 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for listening
I was REME attached to 1 KOSB. We were deployed to Belfast in 1979. I remember that we had to modify all the Landrovers before we went. Gave them a shell of makrolon, a fold up grid for the windscreen and a cheesewire cutter on top.
Thanks Tom, appreciated mate 👍
Pig driver on my 2nd tour 1981-82 which was in Belfast we had SLRs. Although I had an SMG in 1976-77 as an infantry radio operator in Germany, when we went to Londonderry I got an SLR. I released in 1982 and they were testing the SA80, Clansman radio, and the Crusader Tank Transporter, from what I heard I didn’t miss anything. 😂
Whiterock rd belfast June 81 just me and the RCT driver on escort little 5 year old scrote in short trousers got a direct hit with a petrol bomb exploded on our open hatches flames on him and me had to put him out he said thanks pal what a guy went to whiterock base on the way back they had put a car in the middle of the rd to try and stop us no prob to this guy he just rammed it what a legend ❤❤❤😂😂. then on the reverse side xmas day 79 RCT driver reversed his pig over my pack in Rosemount police station managed to save my boogie box xmas cake made a right mess 😢😢😢😢.seriously you RCT GUYS WITH YOUR PIG DRIVUNG SCOOBY DOO,S AND PADDY PUSHERS AND MEDIC SARACENS😊😊😊.YOUR BARS WERE PRETTY GOOD TO❤
The classmates radio and crusader were the better of the 3 improvements. The SA80 should have taken some point from the French FAMAS rifle. The FMAS had 2 extractors. A primary for most use and a secondary for other hand use. The receiver cover was hard plastic and removable. Switching it from one side to the other in about 2 seconds allowed using left or right hand cover as required. French ingenuity at it's best. The magazines held 25 rounds but it could fire rifle grenades without modification.
Greetings from Alaska. Just sub'ed .. Stay safe.
Hey there, up in Alaska fantastic, thank you so very much, its appreciated
I was on standbye to go to the Falklands in April 1982, i went down to the the army navy store in exeter, bought a pair of german para boots... Best buy i ever did. then went to Falklands no probs with feet
Those German para boots were excellent, why on earth we didn't get something similar issued is beyond me.
They learnt after the horse had bolted mate
@@LetsTab59-bd4fdWW1 MENTALITY KEITH
First tour I did 86 we had slr, s bren guns, armalites and gimpy, second tour sa80 and sa80 extended with tripod which replaced the bren (think it was called smg. Not sure now) and only had gimpies in the sangers. Still had to buy your own decent boots, coats etc. and rations 😊 Both border tours so your army issue combats got shredded after a few weeks, happy days. 😊
That's right Kev and I think the light machine-gun was the LSW, Light Support Weapon. Cheers for commenting it's appreciated as always mate 👍
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd yeah it was mate thinking back.
7 Non ceasefire tours for me & a couple after the Good Friday Agreement (which I don’t really count. W Belfast, S Armagh, W & S Fermanagh & SE & W Tyrone. Bar one summer City tour all the others were winter, & only two were the original 4 month deployments…the rest being six months. As a young Lance Jack (not a paid rank back in the 1980’s in the RM) It’s where I feel I cut my teeth.
Berets changed to the Combat Helmet in July ‘89 when we were the BRB during the 20th Anniversary of “The Troubles”.
Out in the cuds…tbh I developed an almost “jungle routine” getting piss wet through whilst moving & carrying often 4-7 days of scran & kit on extended patrols.
I used to put on the Arctic Issue padded zip up trousers & button up top before getting in my issue slug if that was tactically sound. In my bag I’d change into a black pair of slip on cheap plimsoles & put my boots inside a sandbag inside my sleeping bag.
On some patrols we just took along a couple of Pussers issue brown wooden blankets … since it would be 2 on watch & 2 under a couple of blankets for a couple of hours.
Scarpa 3 season boots, Berghaus Yeti Gaiters & sometimes in lieu of them the first issue full below the knee length GoreTex socks although they were not feasible for Yomping/Tabbing in since your foot got soaking wet just from sweating!!!
No NIIBA in the cuds…always in the urban areas.
You really learned to utterly minimise what you actually needed.
The advent of Epigas stoves with the rubberised tube to the gas tank was a revelation.
I must have taken a few young lads through this harsh & arduous routine.
On one 6 month rural tour as the Multiple 2i/c I distinctly remember at the end of the tour totting up the amount of 24hr ORP I had drawn for us … 4 months & 12 days worth.
That’s how many nights we spent out on the ground.
We were as fit as butchers dogs.
Fantastic and detailed account, bought back some memories. Those rural tours and 6 day patrols really sap the morale. Thank you very much for sharing that, your comments are very much appreciated mate 👍
Main reason for wearing combats trousers on riots (I’ve been in a few West Belfast ones) was the fact that combats had liners, when combat 95 came in you had to wear long joins.
Good point Brian, thank you for commenting mate 👍
the NI gloves were usually referred to as "paddy bashers" because of the extra reinforcing over the knuckles and I still till wear them when walking the dogs lol.
They were actually a good bit of kit.
You covered it very well Sir, but used my smock, German Para boot and my faithful Norwegian shirt a great bit kit. Wind proof, warm even when wet and dries very quickly. As always good research and a great vlog Sir.😊😊.
Cheers Dave thank you for your support 🙏
I remember ECBA replacing the old flak jackets INIBA kit. I can remember being told not to wear helmets as it was too aggressive lol. I remember sleeping in full kit with just my webbing belt undone in RUC stations as bombs went off and we got banged out again into the Rovers and Pigs and off into the night. I remember the old Europa Hotel where journos would buy you whiskey trying to scoop the gen. Egg banjos and tea that took the enamel off your teeth. Constant rain and deep hatred by the population. Give me sun, sand and camels anytime lol.
ECBA that's it, I remember now. Also gotta love an egg banjo what we have done without a banjo.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd I still knock myself up an egg banjo on a beach tab, can't beat them lol. The "good" old days Sarnt Major, when we were kids bored, scared and excited all the time and life was a game.
@@vonsprague7913 never a truer word said.
I had a pair of NI boots. Lasted years.😮
I remember the first flak jackets with the flat black patches on the shoulders, also the first NI gloves with the pads in the backs of the fingers and knuckles. Anyone remember Twiggy the huge night sight?
Don't remember Twiggy but do remember the old flak jackets and gloves
Imagine a traffic cone turned on its side, slightly smaller and mounted on a small tripod. In green kit I saw them mostly with COTs and occasionally in certain OPs and Sanger’s. In another life we had more than you could shake a stick at!@@LetsTab59-bd4fd
Right of passage split ring from throwing your first live grenade, leather padded gloves and NI high-leg boots from NI along with Yellow card and green cards, blackened metal Reg badge, note book with stop and search notes.
All the kit, nice one, thanks for commenting 👍
I myself had a 2 year tour beginning in 78. The helmet I wore when I was out the top of the land rover was a pain in the backside. The visor would not stay up and kept flopping down so we used to use a field dressing and stuck it under the raised visor. The OC did not like us doing this and we were told not to do it. Not long after that the OC was hit in the face with a milk bottle containing battery acid because he himself used a field dressing under the visor. I did not like the idea of only being given 10 rounds of ammunition when on on patrol. Think that was a decision made by our officers. I still have a de-ac SLR black stock rifle with the suit sight in my home. I pick it up now and then and wonder how the heck I managed to carry the thing around all day long? Feels much heavier now then it used to. Old guy syndrome.
Wow, a deactivated SLR, now I'm jealous. Thank you for commenting 👍
Carrying the A41 was a pain .
That was a lump Colin, thanks for commenting 👍
Used an M16 as well in COP team
Good bit of kit
When we got issued combat boots in 79 i was told they were compressed cardboard .NI gloves just for protection didnt keep your hands warm.my 1st flak jacket had a zip had to exchange it because if you got shot in the chest zip would enter you to .flak jackets were always minging 😂😂😂 collars stinking .on 81 tour in Belfast guys got issued anti flame light weights like some thing issued in the 60s .on 85 armagh tour 1 guy in the team carried M79 grenade launcher our team commanders carried M16 armalites and a few of the guys and each team had an LMG.and Norwegian shirts to great invention ❤❤❤
Rob, your brilliant at remembering the OP Banner days, brings back memories mate.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd lol that's me keith a kitbag full of information only certain bods find interesting.
@roberthewer2268 well I definitely do Rob so thanks Brother
Bang on mate
Do you remember the gloves that had pads on the fingers as well,
I do, very well
We did our conversion training on the SA80 in Palace Barracks, going down to the ranges at Ballykinlar the platoon idiot fell getting into the back of the 4 tonner and bust the hand guard into a hundred tiny pieces needless to say the CSM wasnt amused
40 min lesson to put that sling on took 5 mins 😂
@roberthewer2268 I know they told us it was very complicated with training videos they we seen for ourselves Compared to the SLR it's was more awkward fr daily cleaning too many small parts My favourite was the firing pin retaining pin The number of guys I saw doing the TOET's or their APWA who forgot about that was hilarious until the DS caught you laughing
We converted to SA 80 and LSW in Sept 88 was suppose to go to ballykinler the nxt day for APWT but had a car crash on way home had to wait to fire it
@roberthewer2268 by any chance you wherent f coy 7/10
@@davidthefirst6195 no m8 f coy 11 udr then HQ COY 88-2001
Someone asked if we remember Claribel - yes, fitted to Brooky (elevated) sangar Crossmaglen (XMG) 1977. Can anyone remember the dummy in the sangar?
Don't remember that Sangar
Depending on when you served you would know it as Borucki (‘Brookie’) sangar or Golf 5-0. Turn right out of SF base into Cullaville Road and it stood at the edge of the town square. It was named after a para James Borucki who was killed by a booby trap bomb in a bicycle left on the corner in Aug 76. The sangar and tower were built off site and helo’d in. For that reason it had to be small dimensions and was really awkward for two back to back with weapons so it was usually single manned and a manikin was place in front of one of the unmanned embrasures. Access was via a ladder dropped down on stag changeovers. It was built due to the high number of casualties taken in the square by unobserved PIRA sneaking in and setting booby traps and ambushes. @@LetsTab59-bd4fd
Did XMG 4 times or red 650 , did one full tour in bloody baruki Sanger ,not funny ,rather be out on patrol
You didn’t get on with dummy in baruki then?🤣@@johnribble
Sort of served on op Banner from 76 to 02, I was a MOD CAP with the RMP and the Green Howard's at Alexander Bks then the UDR and Royal Irish untill 01 got called back in 02 for an Investigation, got my golden jubilee for that lol
Cheers Harry, you're definitely an OP BANNER Veteran mate 👍
I've been massively enjoying listening to your experiences served in Northern Ireland. Massive respect to you and all who served I thank you for your part in preserving the union. There is something so awesome and iconic about the Summer kit during the early years with the old flak vests you guys wore paired with the SLR. I was wondering if during your time here did you have any run ins with the likes of the RUC Special Branch or anything that was kept particularly "hush hush" if you know what I mean. Here's a great video that will hopefully bring you some nostalgia. ruclips.net/video/8xv5vkLwDVk/видео.html
Cheers Tomo, thank you for your support and kind words it's really appreciated. I do remember having a couple of SF guys joining us on a foot patrol near the boarder and after a couple of hours they just slipped away, before they left they marked a couple of grid squares on my map with a red marker pen and told me I should avoid leading the patrol into that area. Spooky.
looool i love it
Thank you for commenting it's appreciated 👍
Some units had AR15s
Yes I remember that brother
Please forgive me Sir, I'm 67 with eyesight issues. Can't make out your cap badge. What regiment were you in?
I'm former Death or Glory Boys - 17/21st Lancers, joined early '70s.
Great channel, brings back some memories i can tell you! 🤫
Thank you James. I was PWRR (Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment). Your Regiment is such a famous and revered unit. Thank you for your kind comments.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd thank you for your kind words too. Looked up your regiments history. Something to be proud of for sure. Take care, and do a 20 miler for me! 🙂
@jamesmorgan9474 20 miler! We did manage a 26.2 mile night march last November over Remembrance, there is a video on here of us. I will be doing more fundraising tabs this year.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fdjust finished watching the four videos. Berets off lads! Mad respect to you and Tracy. Did the South Downs Way in 2021, you know, when we were told to stay in and not contaminate each other. 😱 Was spotted a few times by Old Bill but none of them came over and said anything. Did more 25 milers in the Cadets (Royal Engineers TA unit) than I ever did in the regulars. Stay safe and healthy both of you. 👍💪
@jamesmorgan9474 respect and Tracey sends a kiss 💋
Dont forget the other branches like royal marines, Raf, and Rn.
They were all involved, i was with the RN doinv sea patrols we had same weopns but were slightly different.
Slr or fnla we only had the semi automatic version. Smg naval version gpmg naval version.
Browning pistol had a mind of its own pretty dangerious safety did not alway work.
Yes, well brought up, the RN were heavily involved in OP Banner and of course the RAF who were indispensable for air operations. The RN air service were particularly good with their helicopter support, great air crews. Thank you for commenting.
INIBA - Improved Northern Ireland Body Armour
That's the badger, thank you for correcting that for me. Appreciate your comment and support 🙏
The worst part of uniform until the 90's was the shirt KF. Better known as the Scotchbright shirt. Warm and itchy.
They were unbelievable and so glad they were replaced.
dont forget nipple rash
@andrewmcculley5765 yes, well remembered Andy 👏
In a unit I served the RSM was an evil sadistic individual, who was pissed before NAAFI break. (In the end, he had to leave due to sexual misconduct!!!) Malibu, said it was milk... Soldiers under SSgt were required to wear shirts hairy.... I read unit regs, I was a Cpl at the time. It started if you wore barrack dress you could wear No.2 shirts.... On the Monday morning RSMs parade I was wearing a No.2 shirt. The RSM tried to intimidate me with his pace stick as to why I was wear a No2 dress shirt... I showed him later that day the para in unit regs.... Needless to say a lot more soldiers wore Barrack dress!
Oh NI boots were great for a good BFT time!
@TheJon2442 John I remember that, No2 shirts in Barrack Dress. Well done mate you stood your ground with a very poor and useless RSM.
Everything changed since the Falklands war, equipment, ships, I have never known so many diff boots after 1982, DMS and Putees was a disgrace
Thinking back now, putties were an antique item even then! Crazy, we must have been one of the only western armies to have held on to such a useless bit of kit for so long.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fdthey were better than the gateers we were issued with
@grahampayne6221 yes, I had gaiters in the army cadets, we must of thought putties were an upgrade 😆
Riot , not pc in saying that now , it’s a Civil Disturbance, two words replaced one , cobblers lol
Yes, and the other term was Public Order I believe.
SMG
IWS. Hated it.
Why do Brits say " Out There " surely when us N Ireland people talk about England we say "Over there"...Out there sounds like it is half way around the globe and not 14 miles from Great Britain
Bloody good point jock, well spotted, mate I don't know in fact until you mentioned it I'd never looked at it like that. Thank you I feel a bit humbled now. 🙂
its like vets who went to the falklands, down south, just a name for a place, they not in mate
I think we all say "Across the water" or in N.I. GB is "the mainland".
Chest webbing in the 90s and N.I day sack. Replaced GPMG with LSWs which seemed daft. Best thing for us was we could actually wear our own boots danner etc.
Yes, I remember the N.I. Daysack, was a god send. Thank you for commenting it's appreciated 👍