Regimental Headquarters The Royal Irish Palace Barracks British Forces Post Office 806

Military Network (Holywood): (9)491 43162 Military Network Fax: (9)491 58627

Civil Direct Dial: (028) 9042 0162

Civil Direct Dial Fax: (028) 9042 0627 [email protected]

Ref: G7/001

See Distr Date: 24 Apr 18

OLD SOLDIERS’ DAY – SATURDAY 2rd JUNE 2018 ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTION

Introduction

1. Old Soldiers’ Day will take place at Palace Barracks, Holywood, County Down, on Saturday 2rd June 2018. This is will also coincide with the formation of the , as such will be a duel event.

Background

2. Old Soldiers’ Day is the premier annual Royal Irish Regiment all ranks veteran and serving reunion event in the calendar. Although focussed principally on The Royal Irish Regiment and its antecedent and foundation Regimental Associations, it has evolved as an event supported and attended by a wide range of veterans with service in other Irish , including Defence Forces veterans, all of whom are welcome to participate on the Parade and other events through the day. It is also hoped to again have representation of the disbanded Irish Regiments with branches in the Republic of Ireland. However, this year will mark the formation of the Royal Irish Rangers and will be the main event to commemorate their formation.

Execution

3. Conception of Operations.

a. Intent. To deliver a well-run event that fosters closer links between serving and veteran members of the Royal Irish Regimental family.

b. Scheme of Manoeuvre. Old Soldiers’ Day / Rangers 50th 2018 will be delivered as a 3-phase event.

(1) Phase 1. Set up and preparation.

(2) Phase 2. Old Soldiers’ Day event.

(3) Phase 3. Infrastructure removal and After Action Review (AAR).

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Main Effort

4. Phase 1. Old Soldiers’ Day tented village build.

5. Phase 2. Parade and wreath laying then lunch and social activity.

6. Phase 3. Removal of temporary infrastructure in a timely manner.

Security

7. All tickets can be obtained on-line, no ticket and you won’t gain access to the event. Online site for tickets is www.ticketsource.co.uk/oldsoldiersday and the code OSD2018$ 8. If individuals do not have access to the internet, and as a last resort, they can approach RHQ by phoning and the tickets will be secured on their behalf. The POC for all phone queries will be RHQ Chief Clerk.02890420629

Co-ordinating Instructions

PHASE 1. SET UP AND PREPARATION.

9. Seating. Spectators Stands and Tented Village with a capacity of 800 will be erected by a works party which will be under the control of the Asst Regt Sec. RST Commander is to nominate 8 individuals to assist with the setup, this will ensure there is adequate manpower to complete the build. The stands will arrive on the 21 May and be dismantled on 8th June. The Asst Regtl Sec (Vets & Comms) will arrange an H&S inspection to ensure the venue is safe for use. Soft seating will be provided for VIP guests. Blankets will be available for those who require them.

10. Toilet Facilities. Toilets facilities for visitors will be available; Portaloos will be located close to the parade ground and outside the Station Church. There will be disabled toilets, there is toilets and disabled toilets also provided in the Station Church.

11. Feeding. The feeding for OSD 18 will be provided by Street Food Vendors. There will be a selection of options available: fish and chips to burgers, Pizzas & Mexican burritos. In addition to ice cream van, a Belgian Waffle or Crepe.

12. Refreshments. Tea / coffee will be provided alongside the bar. There should also be adequate waste bins provided for empty cups and general rubbish.

13. Wreaths. The Regtl Adjutant is requested to procure 7 wreaths for wreath laying at the Regimental Memorials.

14. Smoking. There is to be no smoking in any building or the vicinity of the parade ground. Areas will be set aside for those who need to partake and will be clearly marked.

15. Parking. Only official parking areas are to be used by R IRISH personnel, these are all clearly marked and easily accessible.

16. Fatigue Parties. RST Comd is requested to ensure that he provides the required manpower to Asst Regt Sec.

17. Responsibilities. All RST soldiers will be required to support Asst Reg Sec with the set-up and dismantling of the parade infrastructure. A detailed sync matrix is at Appendix 1 to this document.

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18. Changing facilities. R IRISH Band & 2 R IRISH Personnel will change in building Station Church. Outline tasks. The table below reflects the responsibilities for the key personnel accountable for the setting up of OSD/ Rangers 50th 20 18.

Responsibility Task Remarks NIGSU UESA Overall co-ordination and H&S WO2 K Tunstall Asst Regtl Sec Supervision of set-up and dismantling of Darren Anthony OSD/ Rangers 50th 2018 Callow Events Booking, stores, seating, marquees, Chief Clerk Portaloos, consumables Callow Responsible to the Asst Sec for all Asst Reg Sec Events feeding requirements and supply of food refreshments. Sam Bailie Booking all transport. Arrange VIP Chief Clerk movement from Mess to Parade Ground. Col Retd Ted Setting up Mess facility and the Regt Sec Glover management of VIPs and invited quests. RST Comd Organise and supervision of VIP Asst Regt Sec reception Supervise the build and the dismantling of tiered seating and marquees on PG

19. It is requested that Holywood Station provide the following facilities:

a. Rugby Pitch for the Parade.

b. Car parking area for 150+ cars.

c. 100 chairs.

d. PA system.

e. Stand-alone Flag Poles.

f. Manpower (Provided by RST)

NB Marquees to be erected on Thursday 31st May and dismantled on Monday 4th June after the parade.

20. Conclusion. OSD/ Rangers 50th Parade is a high-profile Regimental event aimed primarily at our veteran community as an opportunity for them to gather in a social environment with each other and serving members of the Regiment. We must ensure that we provide a safe venue with adequate facilities to cater for the needs of up to 800 personnel. This can only be achieved if all key enablers fully understand their roles and responsibilities and are willing to perform a broad range of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.

PHASE 2. OLD SOLDIERS’ DAY EVENT.

21. Palace Barracks Entry Point.

22. Timings.

1100 hrs Assemble in Rugby Pitch.

1130 hrs Display by Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums

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1145 hrs Parade Forms Up by Children Play area.

1200 hrs March On

1205 -1300 hrs Parade – as related at Annex A

1300-1315hrs Opportunity for association to lay wreath at the Regimental memorials

1315 hrs Lunch

1430 -1700 hrs Social

Parade Appointments

23. Command Appointments for the Parade are: -

a. Parade Commander: Capt Retd J Dunlop

b. Commander No1 Company: R Inniskilling

c. Commander No2 Company: RUR

d. Commander No 3 Company: R Ir Fus

e. Commander No 4 Company Rangers

f. Commander No 5 Company: UDR

g. Parade Adjutant: Capt Retd J Downey

h. Conducting Standards: Rangers

i. Parade RSM: W01 Retd Wallace

The parade instruction is included at Annex A.

24. Parade Sundry

a. Guides/markers will be detailed by the Parade RSM.

b. Parade will form up in front of Children’s Pay Area. Association Branch Secretaries are requested to ensure their marching contingent is present, in good order and punctual.

c. It is requested that only genuine and entitled decorations and medals are worn. Commemorative medals of the type sold by Soldier Magazine or The Royal British Legion in aid of fund raising are not to be worn on parade. Medals entitled to the holder are worn on the left breast, if worn on behalf of a deceased relative on the right breast.

25. Parade Appointment Briefing. All those appointed at para 4 are requested to report to the conference in RHQ Bld 8 for a briefing at 1130 hrs on Thursday 8th May 2018.

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26. Standard Bearers’ Competition. A Standard Bearers’ Competition will not take place this year.

27. Admittance to the official luncheon will be by tickets only and there will be limited tickets available on the day, for catering purposes a ticket must be purchased in advance for those attending this luncheon.

PHASE 3. INFRASTRUCTURE REMOVAL AND AFTER ACTION REVIEW (AAR).

28. Outline tasks. The table below reflects the responsibilities for the key personnel accountable for the infrastructure removal of OSD/ Rangers 50th 18.

Responsibility Task Remarks NIGSU UESA Overall co-ordination and H&S Asst Regtl Sec Supervision of dismantling of OSD/ Rangers 50th 2018 CQMS A Returning, stores, seating, marquees, Portaloos, consumables Sam Bailie Booking all transport. Arrange VIP, Rtn movements. Callow Events Organise and supervision of VIP reception Supervise the build and the dismantling of tiered seating and marquees on PG Asst Regtl Sec After Action Review (AAR)

29. Queries. All queries to be addressed to: -

The Assistant Regimental Secretary Regimental Headquarters The Royal Irish Regiment Building 8 Palace Barracks BFPO 806 or BT18 9QA

Telephone: 02890 420248

D J Anthony C2 Assistant Regimental Secretary- Vets Comms

Annex:

A. Old Soldiers’ Day Parade-Parade Instruction

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Distribution:

Action:

RHQ R IRISH - Regt Sec - Asst Regt Sec (Funds) - Asst Regt Sec (Wel) - Regt Adjt - RST Comd - Wolfhound Major 1 R IRISH - Pipe Major 2 R IRISH - QM - RCWO - OC C Coy - CSM C Coy - CQMS C Coy R IRISH Band - Bandmaster - Band PSI NIGSU - UESA Association of the Royal Irish Regiment The Royal Inniskilling Association The Royal Ulster Rifles Association The Association The Royal Irish Ranger Association Regimental Association of the The Association – The Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards Association – Northern Ireland NI Disabled Ex-Servicemens’ Association Royal Irish Regiment (18th of Foot) Association Royal Association Royal Munster Fusilier Association The Association The Leinsters Association

Information:

1 R IRISH - CO - 2IC - Adjt - RSM 2 R IRISH - CO - XO - Adjt - RSM - Company Commanders Holywood Station Commander

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