British Army Dress in Northern Ireland 1969 - 1979

[removeduser185]

They're from The Parachute Logistic Regiment (Para Log) who were serving in NI in the infantry role in 1972. So the cap badge is RAOC and the DZ flash that of ordnance - what later became 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC.

But, the interesting thing about that photo is, yes, unless they are taking the mick by wearing their berets French style - ie with the pull to the left and badge over the right eye (which they aren't, of course, then the photo is indeed reversed. But, if that is the case, it is odd that most of them seem to be carrying their rifles in their left hands!

As for Andy's third photo - with the soldiers and the WRAC Provost girl in the back of the Land Rover. Apart from being rather overweight the drills are appalling - both soldiers have their fingers inside the trigger guards of their SLRs - a place you don't go to unless you intend to squeeze the trigger!

Fred

[GAZ_XB9R]

Can anyone tell me the pattern of the smocks in the third photo?

I'm keeping an eye out for some authentic uniform from the early days of my lighty which spent most of its time in NI.

Would this be an earlier pattern?

Shaun's write up with pics in the uniform - impressions section unfortunately no longer shows the pics. Pity really as it sounds like it's exactly the info I'm looking for.

[Sidders101]

Wait for it....wait for it....

[Tinweasel]

Wait for it....wait for it....

What are we waiting for?

Shaun

[GAZ_XB9R]

Beats me Shaun.

You still got the pics to go with your descriptions of the correct period attire?

And any idea of the somewhat lighter looking pattern in pic 3?

[Tinweasel]

You still got the pics to go with your descriptions of the correct period attire?

Good question actually, I will have a look and see what I can dig out, my intention was to do a few more of that type of post. However I became a full time dad shortly after and haven't gotten around to it, and we have some very knowledgeable individuals on the forum now who would probably be able to pick my humble impression to bits

And any idea of the somewhat lighter looking pattern in pic 3?

It looks to me as if the camera was set up to define the darker areas and the details of the better little area's have washed out giving an artificially light appearance and washing out the details, but that looks like 68 pattern uniform which started being issued around 1971/72. The guys using your lightweight assuming it started being used in 1970 would have been issued 60 pattern in plain green or in DPM (sometimes known as 66 pattern) which can me hard to find but it didn't take 68 pattern long to be issued fairly universally through the regular units, though maybe a little longer for the TA

Is that any help mate?

[GAZ_XB9R]

Cheers Shaun.

Looked like a different pattern altogether to me.

68 pattern it is then.

Fancy an AFV boilersuit too.

We'll see how it goes. No surplus stores local. Hopefully something will surface eventually.

[Notsob]

Yes Air despatch did wear the Denny - one I bought a while back had the Air Despatch badge on the lower left arm.

Found this showing the 216 Sigs leaving for patrol in '71.

http://www.216parasigs.org.uk/history/i ... late36.jpg

I'm also told by an ex 2 para friend that later on NI they were not supposed to wear lightweight trousers but had to wear 68 Pattern combats. The lightweights were made of a poly cotton and were flammable!

[emma88]

http://flashbak.com/photos-of-the-briti ... 979-27624/

I came across this. I thought it topical for a number of current threads.

It is of interest to anyone who is interested in the dress and equipment of the British Army in NI during the first two decades of the troubles. There is something for everyone as most of the photos are in colour: a green and khaki camouflaged Pig, lots of different examples of combat dress, including black anklets, puttees (early photos of officers in "Fox's" puttees - lighter shade, dropped later as a bit of a giveaway) A flare pistol (unmodified) being used for rubber bullets and, if you look carefully, in the photo of Gen Tuzo one of his RMP close protection NCOs (the one behind him) can just be seen to be sporting a twin pair of SMG mag pouches! I wonder how many of them were wishing to just live their boho life in their boho formal dress.

Fred

That's really interesting! It's amazing how much detail there is in the photos you shared. It's almost like we are able to step back in time and get an inside look at the British Army in Northern Ireland during this period. Thank you for sharing!