Creation
The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1 July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three remaining Irish infantry regiments of the British Army:
- The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
- The Royal Ulster Rifles
- The Royal Irish Fusiliers
The date was initially known as "Vesting Day" (and then "Rangers Day"), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were "vested" in the new large regiment.
Soon after creation in December 1968, and as part of a general reduction in the Army, the 3rd Battalion (former Royal Irish Fusiliers) was disbanded.
The three regiments had old and differing traditions (Rifle & Fusilier) and to avoid favouring one above another, a unique designation "Rangers" was adopted. The title had not existed in the British Army since 1922. The title is also used by the US Army, Canada, Ireland and Pakistan.
With the creation of the "Divisions of Infantry", the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the King's Division, along with regiments from the north of England. This continued until 1992 and Options for Change. The Ulster Defence Regiment and The Royal Irish Rangers amalgamated to form The Royal Irish Regiment.
Read more about this topic: Royal Irish Rangers
Famous quotes containing the word creation:
“She sings as the moon sings:
“I am I, am I;
The greater grows my lift
The further that I fly.”
All creation shivers
With that sweet cry.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“Like witches they flew along rows
Keeping creation at ease;
With a tendril for needle
They sewed up the air with a stem;”
—Theodore Roethke (1908–1963)
“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn, and Egypt, Greece, Rome, Gaul, Britain, America, lie folded in the first man.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)