A brief honeymoon as peace keepers between two warring communities locked in civil unrest descended into a virtual civil war between Republican IRA and Protestant para-military groups during the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ that were to last 37 years.
Troop reinforcements were sent in late 1969 to check demonstrations, marches, riots and inter-communal house burnings. A ‘Peace Line’ was set up between the Falls Road and Shankhill Road to keep the Catholic and ascendant Protestant communities apart.
All three parachute battalions were regularly deployed for an average of nearly 14 tours each between 1964 -2005. Tours meant from four months to over two years on the streets of Belfast and Londonderry, or operating in the hills and countryside of South Armagh. Routine consisted of patrolling, vehicle check-points, ambushes and observation point surveillance and riot control; all under the constant threat of sniping and the bomb.
The accumulated total in months spent operating in the Province for 1, 2 and 3 PARA amounted to 24 years and six months. The cost was high: Sergeant Michael Willetts with 3 PARA was awarded a posthumous George Cross in 1971; in January 1972 1 PARA was involved in the riots on ‘Bloody Sunday’ in Londonderry and the following month the 16th Parachute Brigade Officer’s Mess was bombed at Aldershot; 17 soldiers from 2 PARA were killed in one bombing incident at Warrenpoint on August 27th 1979.
The Parachute Regiment received over 40 gallantry awards and 180 honours and commendations and 60 MIDs in this, the longest campaign, in the history of airborne forces.
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Units Engaged
Photos_98
Typical accomodation for soldiers during the early days of the troubles.
2 Images Buy PrintsA soldier from 2 PARA conducts a body search.
1 Image Buy PrintsSoldiers of 2 PARA at a vehicle checkpoint.
1 Image Buy PrintsA patrol of 1 PARA stand in front of an old stone building.
1 Image Buy PrintsPrivate Lowton in covert observation position on snowy ground.
1 Image Buy PrintsMen of 2 PARA among rubble on a training exercise in 1993.
1 Image Buy Prints2 PARA foot patrol, 1993. The back two members of a 'brick' (four men) can be seen.
1 Image Buy PrintsPrince Charles talks to four armed members of the Parachute Regiment
1 Image Buy PrintsCaptain Simon Barry relaxes after an operation.
1 Image Buy PrintsIRA bombing of HQ 16 Parachute Brigade Officers' Mess at Aldershot, 1972.
1 Image Buy PrintsParatrooper on a rooftop observation post.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Scarratt (left) and Pte Gibson on joint operation with member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
1 Image Buy Prints2 PARA's destroyed mess after the IRA bomb in 1972.
2 Images Buy PrintsMargaret Thatcher talks to troops around a table during a visit early on in the troubles.
1 Image Buy PrintsColin Thomson, CO of 2 PARA with Margaret Thatcher who wears a red beret.
1 Image Buy PrintsParatroopers attend a pre-operation briefing.
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo paratroopers on a foot patrol through a housing estate.
1 Image Buy PrintsParatrooper holding a SA 80 gun on foot patrol through a housing estate.
1 Image Buy PrintsGraffiti on a building wall giving the Irish view of many emergency tours.
1 Image Buy PrintsJoint Parachute Regiment and RUC foot patrol.
1 Image Buy PrintsOfficers of HQ 16 Parachute Brigade stand in Aldershot barracks.
1 Image Buy PrintsParatroopers including Captain Graham Gilbert, adjutant fo 3 PARA clean up IRA bomb damage at Aldershot.
1 Image Buy PrintsA body is removed from the bombed Officers' Mess at Aldershot barracks.
1 Image Buy PrintsThe destruction done to the Officers' Mess by an IRA bomb can be seen.
1 Image Buy PrintsCars damaged by the IRA bomb at Aldershot barracks in 1972.
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo armed paratroopers on vehicle patrol, Northern Ireland, undated.
1 Image Buy Prints'Snatch Squad' at work during a riot. The soldier on the right is carrying a riot gun.
1 Image Buy PrintsThe aftermath of a bomb explosion. Paratroopers and civilians look nervously around amid debris.
1 Image Buy PrintsParatrooper on rooftop observation post.
1 Image Buy PrintsPig crew on standby to deal with a riot situation.
1 Image Buy Prints1 PARA conducting arrests and body searches in Londonderry, January 1972.
1 Image Buy PrintsAn urban riot scene involving 1 PARA.
1 Image Buy PrintsMark Magreehan beside some sectarian graffiti, Crossmaglen, South Armagh, Northern Ireland
1 Image Buy PrintsAlbert Street Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsParas patrolling in Northern Ireland, 1970s.
1 Image Buy PrintsSoldier ready to go on patrol with radio in Northern Ireland, date unknown.
1 Image Buy PrintsPara on street patrol in Northern Ireland, date Unknown.
1 Image Buy PrintsMen of Zulu Sqn, 1 Parachute Logistic Regiment leave base in Northern Ireland
1 Image Buy PrintsStuart Woods on Northern Ireland Border Ops
1 ImagePicking up Patrols from 2 Para C (Bruneval) Coy Northern Ireland, 1980
1 ImagePte Martin Broughton in South Armagh, 1978
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Tony Harrison Palace Barracks Northern Ireland 1989-91 Tour
1 ImagePte Gary Parkins and Pte Alex Seggie, West Belfast 1974.
1 Image Buy PrintsKremlin and Flying Pigs, Northern Ireland, c.1980s.
1 Image Buy PrintsHumber Pig with 12 PL, D COY, 2 PARA, West Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1992.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 12 PL D COY, 2 PARA, with a Humber Pig, West Belfast, 1992.
1 Image Buy PrintsAT105 Saxons with 2 PARA on the Colin Glen Road, north of Poleglass, 1993.
1 Image Buy PrintsLCpl Dave Arnold and Cpl Moose Millar, 2 PARA, in front of an AT 105 Saxon, Woodbourne RUC Station, July 1993.
1 Image Buy Prints2 PARA, Forkhill, Northern Ireland, 1979-81.
1 Image Buy PrintsL/Cpl Mark Magreehan with the 2 PARA painting he painted next to the helipad, Crossmaglen, 2003.
1 Image Buy PrintsAndy Warner, Steve Lewis,'Taff' Pearce, B Coy, 1 PARA, South Armagh, 1978.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA, responding to a road traffic incident, Crossmaglen, 2003.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Harker, 2 PARA, West Belfast, 1993.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Cutler (Left) and Cpl Greenwood observe a riot. Butler Street, 2nd February 1971.
1 ImageGrave of KC Hewitt
2 Images Buy PrintsHeadstone for Cpl Leonard Jones
1 Image Buy Prints‘Victory to the IRA’ mural, Twin Brooks, West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsOn patrol in the Lenadoon estate, West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsPara on patrol in the Lenadoon
1 Image Buy PrintsObservation tower Cookstown SF base
1 Image Buy PrintsPermanent vehicle check point Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsBlast walls at Cookstown SF base
1 Image Buy PrintsLowering of the 3 PARA flag
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA on Shankhill Road 1970
1 Image Buy PrintsThree members of 1 PARA, Op Banner, c1970.
1 Image Buy PrintsThe funeral cortege of Sgt M Willetts GC 1971
1 Image Buy PrintsFuneral for Padre Weston, killed at Aldershot by an IRA bomb, Liverpool 1972.
1 Image Buy PrintsFerret armoured cars patrol the streets of Belfast, 1973.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA Belfast July 1973
1 ImageTwo members of 3 PARA, Finiston School, Northern Ireland, 1974.
1 Image Buy PrintsFlax Street Mill, Ardoyne, Belfast 1975.
1 ImagePte Mark O'Connell on patrol in the Ardoyne, 1975.
1 ImageMembers of Special Patrol group, Belfast 1975.
1 ImageSoldier on foot patrol in Northern Ireland, 1976
1 ImageJames Borucki (left) on the day before his death, 1976
1 Image Buy PrintsBessbrooke helipad Co Armagh, 1976.
1 Image Buy PrintsKeith Bromley and Dale Gibson A Coy 1 PARA, Crossmaglen, 1978.
1 Image Buy PrintsMargaret Thatcher's visit to Fork Hill, Northern Ireland, Christmas 1979.
1 Image Buy Prints'Lest We Forget' - soldiers killed in the Warrenpoint bombing
1 ImageSoldiers 'Yank' and 'Egor' of the Close Observation Point (COP), 2 PARA, Northern Ireland, 1980
1 ImageSoldiers from 2 Para Patrols Pln, Northern Ireland, 1980
1 ImageWessex collecting Patrols Platoon, 2 Para C (Bruneval) Coy Northern Ireland, 1980
1 ImageReturning Patrols from 2 Para C (Bruneval) Coy Northern Ireland 1980
1 ImageMembers of 2 PARA in South Armagh, 1979-81.
1 Image2 PARA Company rotation at Forkill, 1980-81.
1 ImageSgt 'Ted' Barrett and Pte 'Meano' Smith on patrol at the Kilnasagart Bridge, Co Armagh, NI, 1981.
1 Image Buy PrintsPte Greg Allen, 1 PARA, waiting to go out Northern Ireland, 1982.
1 Image Buy PrintsGreg Allen and Paul Skidmore, A Coy, 1 PARA, emergency tour in Northern Ireland, c1982.
2 Images Buy PrintsMembers of Close Observation Platoon (COP), 1 PARA, Northern Ireland, 1982.
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo members of Close Observation Platoon, 1 PARA, Northern Ireland, 1982.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of the Mortar Platoon, 2 PARA, South Armagh, 1984/85 Tour.
1 Image Buy PrintsCpl George ‘Geordie’ Guthrie & Pte ‘Bob’ Hilton, 2 PARA, Int Sect, in the rear of a covert van, South Armagh, 1984.
1 Image Buy PrintsCrossmaglen Army Base following an IRA mortar attack, c1989.
1 Image Buy PrintsLt Col C F Hicks, Commanding Officer 2 PARA, paying his respects at Warrenpoint, 1990.
1 Image Buy Prints1,000lb Bomb found at the junction of Pantridge/Brianswell Road Poleclass Estate, December 1993.
1 Image Buy PrintsBob Hilton and 'Dangerous' Davies, A Coy, 2 PARA, Overwatch of Newtownhamilton, Northern Ireland, 1997.
1 Image Buy PrintsHelmet Steel, Universal Pattern, Mk III, with visor, from the Airborne Assault Museum Collection, Duxford.
3 Images Buy PrintsRemembrance Poppy for Christoper G Ireland
2 Images
Maps_1
Map of Armagh, Northern Ireland (1: 10,000)
1 Image Buy Prints
Video clips_7
Propaganda_2
Aerial photos_2
Forkhill Base, photographed from a Lynx on patrol, May 1994.
1 Image Buy PrintsFlying top cover on 'Round Robin' of locations, Golf Tower in background, South Armagh, May 1994.
1 Image Buy Prints
Documents_1
Group photos_83
C Coy 1 PARA Palace Barracks, Holywood Northern Ireland, 1971
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA, Northern Ireland, 1970.
1 ImageFour members of 1 PARA, Northern Ireland, 1980s.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA, Armagh, Northern Ireland, date unknown.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of B Company 3 PARA, Belfast, date unknown.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 9 Para Sqn RE, Northern Ireland, date unknown.
1 Image2 PARA, Ballymurphy 1976 / 1977.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 5 Platoon B Company 3 PARA, County Fermanagh in 1980/81
1 Image Buy PrintsAnti Tank Platoon, Support Company,2 PARA, Woodbourne RUC Station West Belfast, 1993.
1 Image Buy PrintsC Coy, 3 Para. Northern Ireland, 1980-81.
1 ImagePeter M Docherty Belfast 1970
1 Image1972 Donegall Street Bombing, Belfast
1 Image3 Platoon, ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. Operation BANNER tour, Crossmaglen, South Armagh, Northern Ireland. 1984-85
1 ImageAnti-Tank & Mortar Platoon, Support Company, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. Operation BANNER tour, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. 1990.
1 Image'Brummie', Brian Aydon, 'Binge' Thompson 1972
1 Image Buy PrintsBessbrook Mill, NI 10 Pln, 2 Para c1979/81
1 Image10 Pln, 2 Para, on Ops in Forkhill, NI c1979/81
1 ImageNorman Menzies MBE with Queen Elizabeth II (early 1970s)
1 ImageNigel Yarwood on patrol in NI
1 ImageBrothers, Tony, Lionel and Nigel Yarwood in NI 1989 to 91 tour with 3 PARA
1 ImageN.Ireland Bob Wade, Steve McConnel, Mark Burnett, Sean Walker
1 ImageBob Wade, Steve McConnel, Mark Burnett, Sean Walker by armoured car in NI
1 Image10 Pln, D Coy, 2 PARA on Ops Forkhill C1979/81
1 ImageParatroopers on patrol in the Pole Glass estate West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsParatroopers on the brow of a quarry in West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsPhoto taken from the inside of a snatch vehicle of a stop and search vehicle check point in West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsQuick Reaction Force in West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsQRF night duty near a Bobby Sands mural in the Twin Brooks West Belfast
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo Brave Zero callsign posing with 'PIGS' at Woodbourne RUC SF base, 1990
1 Image Buy PrintsTwo off duty Paras in the accommodation block
1 Image Buy Prints2 Paras pose with a large mushroom during live firing training at Ballykinlar.
1 Image Buy Prints3 PARA wait in England as they prepare to move to Northern Ireland
1 Image Buy PrintsConcrete barrier Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsMakeshift television area
1 Image Buy PrintsOn patrol in Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsOn patrol in Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsOn the Chinook with 3 PARA on route to East Tyrone
1 Image Buy PrintsPage 3 models visit Dungannon SF base, Tyrone
4 ImagesParatrooper applies camouflage cream to teenage boys in Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsReturning to Cookstown after a 5 day operation.
1 Image Buy PrintsYoung boy wearing Para helmet for a photo in Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsParas arrives back at Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsParatroopers getting there provisions, Cookstown
1 ImagePlaying football with locals Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsRUC Cookstown helicopter pad
1 Image Buy PrintsRUC officer and Paras waiting to go out on patrol Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsParas returning from patrol
1 Image Buy PrintsMike Jackson with B Coy's Major Bashall and Lt Col Shaw at Drumcree Church, NI June 1999
1 ImageMembers of 1 PARA, Northern Ireland, c1970.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 1 PARA, Northern Ireland, c1970.
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup photo taken outside The Henry Taggart Hall, Ballymurphy in 1971.
1 Image Buy PrintsMortar Platoon,1 PARA, Palace Barracks, Northern Ireland, 1972.
1 Image Buy Prints7 Platoon, 3 PARA, Northern Ireland, 1973.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 PARA, in front of a Humber Pig, Belfast, 1973.
1 Image Buy PrintsPtes Keith Schofield, 'Taff' Jennings and Tony 'Scouse' Blake, 3 PARA Belfast, 1973.
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup portrait of 664 Para Sqn AAC at RAF Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, 1974
1 ImageMain building of Castle Dillon , Co Armagh, December 1974.
1 Image Buy PrintsTennent Street Police Station, Shankill Road, Belfast, 1970s.
1 Image Buy PrintsMortar Platoon 2 Para Ballymurphy Northern Ireland 1976
1 ImageMembers of 7 Field Regiment RHA, Northern Ireland, 1978
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 7 Plt C Coy 1 PARA awaiting transport out of Forkhill 1978
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 8 Platoon, C Coy 3 PARA, Lenadoon, West Belfast, Northern Ireland, February 1978.
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup photograph of 8 Platoon, C Coy 3 PARA, Belfast, 1978.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 8 Platoon, C Coy 3 PARA, Belfast 1978.
1 Image Buy PrintsMick Flannigan, Ian Barrie and Jack Fisher, A Coy, 1 PARA, town patrol Crossmaglen, 1978.
1 Image Buy Prints3 Platoon, A Company 2 PARA, Ballykinler Camp, Northern Ireland, July 1979.
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup photo for the 2 PARA Wife’s Club Olympics winners, Northern Ireland, June 1980
1 Image Buy Prints1 PARA Spearhead Tour 1981-1982 CS 11c and 11d
1 Image Buy Prints1 Para Anti Tanks waiting for helicopter transport Fermanagh 1982
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of A Coy, 1 PARA, Spearhead Tour, Northern Ireland, c1982.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 3 Platoon, A Company, 2 PARA, Crossmaglen, 1985.
1 Image Buy Prints9 Platoon, C Company, 1 PARA, Northern Ireland 1988.
1 Image Buy Prints1 PARA, Close Observation Platoon, Northern Ireland, 1988.
1 Image Buy PrintsGroup photograph of a platoon of Support Coy, 2 PARA, Fermanagh, June 1990
1 Image12 Platoon, D Coy 2 PARA, Woodbourne RUC Station West Belfast, 29 May-16 Jun 1993.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of B Coy 2 PARA on public order training, Belfast, October 1994.
1 Image Buy PrintsD Company, 2 PARA, Palace Barracks, Northern Ireland, 1995.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA, R23, Forkhill, South Armagh, November 1996.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of 2 PARA, Callsign N10A, Forkhill SF Base, South Armagh, 1996-7.
1 Image Buy Prints1 Platoon, A Coy, 2 PARA, Newtownhamilton, 1997.
2 Images Buy PrintsMembers of Assault Pioneer Platoon, 2 PARA, Northern Ireland, 2002.
1 Image Buy PrintsMembers of Assault Pioneer Platoon, 2 PARA, Northern Ireland, 2002.
1 Image Buy PrintsCommemoration of 40th anniversary of Michael Willetts GC death (Photo by Peter Jordan), 2011
1 Image Buy Prints
Solo photos_19
Cpl Pete Gurney, 2 PARA, Crossmaglen, 2003.
1 Image Buy PrintsNigel M. Bennett
1 ImageKenny C Hewitt
1 ImageJames R Whitehouse, wearing body armour, next to Land Rover
1 ImageL/Cpl Gary Bingley 2 Para
1 ImagePte Stuart Hancock, Springfield Road Police Station, Belfast 1976
1 ImageNorman Edward Menzies MBE (early 1970s)
1 ImagePte Paul Crampton - Northern Island 1973
1 ImageNI 1970 Sterling Submachine Gun ready for VCP Patrol
1 ImagePara on patrol
1 Image Buy PrintsPara poses against Nationalist graffiti
1 Image Buy PrintsPara returning back to the security forces base at RUC Woodbourne, West Belfast.
1 Image Buy PrintsAn old woman who gives British troops prayer cards is caught by the photographer
1 ImageLCpl injury claim photograph
1 Image Buy PrintsPara on patrol in Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsJunior officer on patrol Cookstown
1 Image Buy PrintsParatrooper with GPMG
1 Image Buy PrintsA young Stuart Griffiths
1 Image Buy PrintsPeter King in Northern Ireland as Helicopter Rigger Marshaller
1 Image Buy Prints
Object_1
Lt Col PM Kingston MC medal set
1 Image Buy Prints
Newspaper extracts_3
Copy newspapers that featured the ‘macabre’ artworks of A Company, 3 PARA in Palace Barracks
3 ImagesNewspaper article 16 Para Bde HQ bombing, Aldershot, February 1972.
1 ItemNewspaper extract on the death of Padre Gerry Weston, February 1972.
1 Item
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