Regimental Headquarters The Royal Irish Regiment Palace Barracks British Forces Post Office 806 Military Network (Holywood): (9)491 43162 Military Network Fax: (9)491 58627 Civil Direct Dial: (028) 9042 0162 Civil Direct Dial Fax: (028) 9042 0627 E-mail: Ref: G7/001 See Distr Date: 17 Sep 16 OLD SOLDIERS DAY SATURDAY 3 rd JUNE 2017 ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTION Introduction 1. Old Soldiers Day will take place at Palace Barracks, Holywood, County Down, on Saturday 3rd June 2017. This is a change of venue to previous years and it is hoped the Regimental Associations will lend their full support as we establish the new revised venue Background 2. Old Soldiers Day is the premier annual Royal Irish Regiment all ranks veteran and serving reunion event in the calendar. Although focussed principally on The Royal Irish Regiment and its antecedent and foundation Regimental Associations, it has evolved as an event supported and attended by a wide range of veterans with service in other Irish regiments, including Defence Forces Ireland veterans, all of whom are welcome to participate on the Parade and other events through the day. It is also hoped to again have representation of the disbanded Irish Regiments with branches in the Republic of Ireland. Execution 3. Conception of Operations. a. Intent. To deliver a well-run event that fosters closer links between serving and veteran members of the Royal Irish Regimental family. b. Scheme of Manoeuvre. Old Soldiers Day will be delivered as a 3 phase event. (1) Phase 1. Set up and preparation. (2) Phase 2. Old Soldiers Day event. (3) Phase 3. Infrastructure removal and After Action Review (AAR). 1
Main Effort 4. Phase 1. Old Soldiers Day tented village build. 5. Phase 2. Parade and wreath laying then lunch and social activity. 6. Phase 3. Removal of temporary infrastructure in a timely manner. Security 7. The return titled Application for Access to Palace Barracks attached at Annex B is to be returned to this office no later than 12 May 2017. It is emphasised that admittance to Palace Barracks will not be permitted by the Resident Battalion unless this security clearance application has been completed. Co-ordinating Instructions PHASE 1. SET UP AND PREPARATION.. 8. Seating. Spectators Stands and Tented Village with a capacity of 300 will be erected by a works party which will be under the control of the CQMS A Coy 2 R IRISH. RST Commander is to nominate 5 individuals to assist with the setup, this will ensure there is adequate manpower to complete the build. The stands will arrive on the 31 May and be dismantled on 4th June. The Asst Regtl Sec (Vets & Comms) will arrange an H&S inspection to ensure the venue is safe for use. Soft seating will be provided for VIP guests. Blankets will be available for those who require them. 9. Toilet Facilities. Toilets facilities for visitors will be available; Portaloos will be located close to the parade ground and outside RHQ. All VIPS and their guests may use RHQ Facilities. 10. Feeding. The feeding for OSD 17 will be in two separate locations. The RCWO is to provide adequate Chef Support to run both sites. The menu should consist of the traditional OSD barbeque with options for children. 11. Refreshments. Hot and cold drinks will be provided within the Marquees for all. There should also be adequate waste bins provided for empty cups and general rubbish. 12. Wreaths. The Regtl Adjutant is requested to procure 7 wreaths for wreath laying at the Regimental Memorials. 13. Smoking. There is to be no smoking in any building or the vicinity of the parade ground. Areas will be set aside for those who need to partake and will be clearly marked. 14. Parking. Only official parking areas are to be used by R IRISH personnel, these are all clearly marked and easily accessible. 15. Fatigue Parties. CSM A Coy 2 R IRISH is requested to ensure that he provides the required manpower to CQMS A Coy FTRS. 16. Responsibilities. All RST soldiers will be required to support CQMS A Coy FTRS with the set-up and dismantling of the parade infrastructure. A detailed sync matrix is at Appendix 1 to this document. 17. Changing facilities. R IRISH Band & 2 R IRISH Personnel will change in building 11. 2
18. Outline tasks. The table below reflects the responsibilities for the key personnel accountable for the setting up of OSD 17. Responsibility Task Remarks NIGSU UESA Overall co-ordination and H&S Capt Eddie McMillian Asst Regtl Sec Supervision of set-up and dismantling of Darren Anthony OSD17 CQMS A Booking, stores, seating, marquees, CQMs FTRS Portaloos, consumables 2 R IRISH Responsible to the QM for all feeding W02 Armstrong RCWO requirements and supply of food refreshments. Sam Bailie Booking all transport. Arrange VIP Chief Clerk movement from Mess to Parade Ground. WO2 Luney Setting up Mess facility and the management of VIPs and invited quests. CQMS A Organise and supervision of VIP reception Supervise the build and the dismantling of tiered seating and marquees on PG CQMs FTRS 19. It is requested that Holywood Station provide the following facilities: a. Rugby Pitch for the Parade. b. Car parking area for 150+ cars. c. 100 chairs. d. PA system. e. Stand-alone Flag Poles. f. Tentage and Saluting Dias (2 x marquees* provided by 2 R IRISH) g. Manpower (Provided by RST and A Coy 2 R IRISH) NB Marquees to be erected on Thursday 1st June and dismantled on Saturday 4 th June after the parade. 20. Conclusion. OSD Parade is a high profile Regimental event aimed primarily at our veteran community as an opportunity for them to gather in a social environment with each other and serving members of the Regiment. We must ensure that we provide a safe venue with adequate facilities to cater for the needs of up to 300 personnel. This can only be achieved if all key enablers fully understand their roles and responsibilities and are willing to perform a broad range of tasks with efficiency and accuracy. PHASE 2. OLD SOLDIERS DAY EVENT. 21. Palace Barracks Entry Point. 22. Timings. 1100 hrs Assemble in the area of RHQ R IRISH 1130 hrs Display by Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums- 1 st Bn R IRISH Regiment 3
1145 hrs Parade Forms Up at RHQ R IRISH 1200 hrs March On 1205-1300 hrs Parade as related at Annex A 1300-1315hrs Opportunity for association to lay wreath at the Regimental memorials 1315 hrs Lunch 1430-1700 hrs Social Parade Appointments 23. Command Appointments for the Parade are:- a. Parade Commander: R IRISH b. Commander No1 Company: R Inniskilling c. Commander No2 Company: RUR d. Commander No 3 Company: R Ir Fus e. Commander No 4 Company Rangers f. Commander No 5 Company: UDR g. Commander No 6 Company 1 st, 2 nd Bn h. Parade Adjutant: RHQ Adjt i. Conducting Standards: Rangers j. Parade RSM: RSM 2 R IRISH The parade instruction is included at Annex A. 24. Parade Sundry a. Guides/markers will be detailed by the Parade RSM. b. Parade will form up in front of RHQ. Association Branch Secretaries are requested to ensure their marching contingent is present, in good order and punctual. c. It is requested that only genuine and entitled decorations and medals are worn. Commemorative medals of the type sold by Soldier Magazine or The Royal British Legion in aid of fund raising are not to be worn on parade. Medals entitled to the holder are worn on the left breast, if worn on behalf of a deceased relative on the right breast. 25. Parade Appointment Briefing. All those appointed at para 4 are requested to report to the conference in RHQ Bld 44 for a briefing at 1000 hrs on Thursday 25th May 2017. 4
26. Standard Bearers Competition. A Standard Bearers Competition will not take place this year. 27. Meal Tickets. Lunch will be served in the tented dining area. The tented village will be located across from RHQ. A barbeque meal will be provided at a charge of 11.00 per person. A cash bar facility will be available within the tented village for refreshments. As already stated admission to this venue will be ticket only and strictly controlled. The Lunch Ticket Return is at Annex C. Entertainment will follow lunch provided by The Blarney Boys. 28. Admittance to the official luncheon will be by tickets only and there will be limited tickets available on the day, for catering purposes a ticket must be purchased in advance for those attending this luncheon. PHASE 3. INFRASTRUCTURE REMOVAL AND AFTER ACTION REVIEW (AAR). 29. Outline tasks. The table below reflects the responsibilities for the key personnel accountable for the infrastructure removal of OSD 17. Responsibility Task Remarks NIGSU UESA Overall co-ordination and H&S Asst Regtl Sec Supervision of dismantling of OSD17 CQMS A Returning, stores, seating, marquees, Portaloos, consumables Sam Bailie Booking all transport. Arrange VIP, Rtn movements. CQMS A Organise and supervision of VIP reception Supervise the build and the dismantling of tiered seating and marquees on PG Asst Regtl Sec After Action Review (AAR) 30. Queries. All queries to be addressed to:- The Assistant Regimental Secretary Regimental Headquarters The Royal Irish Regiment Building 44 Palace Barracks BFPO 806 or BT18 9QA Telephone: 02890 420162 D J Anthony C2 Assistant Regimental Secretary- Vets Comms Annex: A. Old Soldiers Day Parade-Parade Instruction B. Security Return C. Lunch Return 5
Distribution: Action: RHQ R IRISH - Regt Sec - Asst Regt Sec (Funds) - Asst Regt Sec (Wel) - Regt Adjt - RST Comd - Wolfhound Major 1 R IRISH - Pipe Major 2 R IRISH - QM - RCWO - OC C Coy - CSM C Coy - CQMS C Coy R IRISH Band - Bandmaster - Band PSI NIGSU - UESA Association of the Royal Irish Regiment The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Association The Royal Ulster Rifles Association The Royal Irish Fusiliers Association The Royal Irish Ranger Association Regimental Association of the Ulster Defence Regiment The Irish Guards Association Northern Ireland The Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards Association Northern Ireland NI Disabled Ex-Servicemens Association Royal Irish Regiment (18 th of Foot) Association Royal Dublin Fusilier Association Royal Munster Fusilier Association The Connaught Rangers Association The Leinsters Association Information: 1 R IRISH - CO - 2IC - Adjt - RSM 2 R IRISH - CO - XO - Adjt - RSM - Company Commanders Holywood Station Commander 6