ARMY'S NEWEST REGIMENT PARADES IN CARRICKFERGUS - Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Northern Ireland

The Army’s newest regiment – the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry – marched through Carrickfergus, not only to mark the formation of the new unit but also to commemorate a Second World War battle in which an antecedent regiment, the North Irish Horse, played a pivotal role in breaking through the Hitler Line in May 1944, seeing German troops retreat.

In 1944 the North Irish Horse was, in support of 1st Canadian Division, ordered to force through one of the many defensive lines running coast to coast in Italy to try and halt the advance of Allied Troops. After a hard fight on 23rd May 1944 the German troops retreated. In recognition of the support of the NI troops they were asked by Canadian military to wear the Maple Leaf insignia – still worn to this day.

In memory of this battle, the parade, after being inspected by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie, held a minute’s silence at the Cenotaph before moving to St Nicholas’ Parish Church for a commemorative service.