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March marks home battallions' end March marks home battallions' end
(40 minutes later)
A major parade is to be held to mark the disbandment of the Royal Irish Regiment's home service battalions.A major parade is to be held to mark the disbandment of the Royal Irish Regiment's home service battalions.
Several thousand members of the regiment, and its predecessor the UDR, will attend the ceremony in Belfast. Several thousand members of the regiment, and its predecessor the UDR, will attend the ceremony at Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast.
The three home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment will be disbanded next July.The three home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment will be disbanded next July.
The event is the Army's official farewell, a tribute to more than 60,000 men and women who have served in the regiment or the UDR since 1970. More than 60,000 men and women have served in the Royal Irish Regiment or the UDR since 1970.
Some 300 home service soldiers drawn from the Holywood-based 2nd Battalion, the Armagh-based 3rd Battalion, and the Omagh-based 4th Battalion will parade at the showgrounds.
They will be accompanied by musicians from the band of The Royal Irish Regiment and 100 former UDR soldiers of the Regimental Association.
The parade will be attended by a range of political figures, current and former members of the regiments, disabled veterans and relatives of many of the 210 soldiers killed by the IRA and other republican paramilitaries.The parade will be attended by a range of political figures, current and former members of the regiments, disabled veterans and relatives of many of the 210 soldiers killed by the IRA and other republican paramilitaries.
The vast majority were killed while they were off-duty, and another 64 were killed after they had left the Army.The vast majority were killed while they were off-duty, and another 64 were killed after they had left the Army.
The home service battalions are being disbanded because of the end of Operation Banner, which is what the Army called its support role for the police during the Troubles.The home service battalions are being disbanded because of the end of Operation Banner, which is what the Army called its support role for the police during the Troubles.
Colonel Mark Campbell, who is among those attending, said today's peaceful society could not have been achieved without the RIR's help.Colonel Mark Campbell, who is among those attending, said today's peaceful society could not have been achieved without the RIR's help.
"Today is deeply significant, it is about bringing an honourable and dignified closure to 36 years of continuous operational service," he said."Today is deeply significant, it is about bringing an honourable and dignified closure to 36 years of continuous operational service," he said.
"During this time, 60,000 men and women - full-time and part-time - served within the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal irish Homes Service. "During this time, 60,000 men and women - full-time and part-time - served within the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Homes Service.
"274 serving and ex-members paid the ultimate sacrifice - and many more carry physical and psychological scars." "Two hundred and seventy four serving and ex-members paid the ultimate sacrifice - and many more carry physical and psychological scars."
He added: "There have been many difficult years but our job is now done and we march into history with dignity and with heads held high."He added: "There have been many difficult years but our job is now done and we march into history with dignity and with heads held high."