Regimental History
The Irish Guards were formed by order of Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the 1st April 1900 in recognition of the bravery of the Irish regiments in the Boer War.
The Regiment fielded two battalions in the Great War and won a number of battle honours including Loos, Ypres, Marne and the Somme. The Irish Guards also achieved a considerable number of gallantry awards, notably four Victoria Crosses.
At the end of the war the 2nd Battalion was disbanded. The 1st Battalion saw service in Constantinople, Egypt and Palestine.
In the Second World War the Regiment fielded three Battalions. The 1st Battalion saw action in Norway, North Africa and Italy, for which battle honours were awarded. The 2nd Battalion fought in the Hook of Holland and was instrumental in the rescue of the Dutch Royal Family. They also served in Boulogne in 1940. In 1941 the 2nd Battalion joined the Guards Armoured Division, and along with the 3rd Battalion formed the Irish Group, a combination of an armoured and an infantry battalion. They took part in the landings at Normandy and the advance from the Seine to Nijmegen. Two Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the Irish Guards during the war. At the end of the war the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were disbanded.
The 1st Battalion moved to Palestine after the war where they carried out internal security duties. They spent time in England and Germany. They saw service in Egypt and were part of the 1st Guards Brigade in Cyprus in 1958. In 1966 the 1st Battalion was deployed to Aden where it was involved in operations for a year. On moving back to England, the Battalion carried out Public Duties for a time in London and Windsor, interspersed by training in Canada.
In 1970 the Battalion was sent to Hong Kong for a two-year tour, carrying out border patrols, surveillance and general security duties. On return to England the Battalion carried out Public Duties, took part in a number of overseas training exercises and also helped to fight fires during the 1978 fireman's strike. During this time the Battalion also carried out two tours in Belize.
During the 1980's the Battalion was stationed in London and Germany. It also took part in the trials of the new APC, now known as Warrior, in Canada.
In 1990 the Battalion was stationed in Berlin and was privileged to be there at the time that the Berlin Wall came down. In 1992 the Battalion carried out its first operational tour in Northern Ireland. They also served in Germany, Hong Kong and the Falkland Islands.
In 1998 the Battalion moved to Munster, Germany where it converted to the Armoured Infantry role. In March 1999 No 1 Company deployed to Macedonia as part of the King's Royal Hussars Battle Group, in response to the Kosovo crisis. The rest of the Battalion formed the Irish Guards Battle Group. On the 12th June the Battle Group entered Kosovo and were the first NATO troops to reach Pristina.
The Battalion returned to Munster and the Companies were reunited in time for the centenary in 2000. This was a year of great celebration with events being held all over England and Ireland.
Ceremonial Duties
To find out about the ceremonial duities of the Irish Guards click on the dropdown menu below. To view all the Ceremonial duties of the Guards regiments click here Ceremonial Duties
To find out about the Irish Guards Operational Infantry Role Visit the Irish Guards Home Page
To find out how to join the The Irish Guards you can contact them useing the E-mail below
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