BAND OF THE ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT TOUR 2014 – BRITISH FORCES GERMANY

The Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment – all Army Reservists – have just completed a two week intense engagement programme in support of British Forces Germany (BFG) HQ, at Bielefeld, Germany (incidentally twinned with Enniskillen) where they were conducting a series of concerts and parades. The engagements were to mark the reduction in strength of local units as part of the Army draw down in Germany. During the tour, which was also their annual camp, the Band played an impromptu concert in the Officers Mess at BFG HQ Bielefeld to a number of local dignitaries and senior officers.  This was part of an ongoing series of anniversary engagements to celebrate the 800 years of the city.

To ease the Band into the engagements programme they played at an open air concert in Herford, a small historic town a few miles to the North of Bielefeld, to a crowd of almost 1000. 

The Band also spent time in the town of Bad Fallenborstal and St Barbara’s Camp, a large base to the North of Germany, where 16 Tank Transporter Squadron was being disbanded.  The Band played to a huge crowd of families and supporters of the Squadron where Major General CM Stein CBE took the salute. 

The next engagement was at the Hanover Congress Centrum where over 7000 people attended to celebrate the links between Britain and Hanover.  The 300th Anniversary of this British-German royal link was celebrated by a military musical event organised by Commander 1st Panzer Division (Bundeswehr). Mr Richard Douglas, the Band Master, was given the opportunity to conduct over 70 musicians of the world famous 1st Panzer Division Band and Reservists from the Regimental Band played alongside their German counterparts. The Pipes and Drums performed at the reception, piping in the dignitaries and guests.  The night ended with an amazing firework display which lit up most of Hanover as they were set off to both the British and German National anthems.

The Band moved to Gütersloh camp for the final event and disbandment parade of 45 Close Support (CS) SQN 2 Logistic Support Regiment (LSR) Royal Logistics Corp (RLC).  HRH the Duke of Gloucester, the Inspecting Officer, took time to speak to the Band.