1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Belfast 5th March to 17th March 1973

            On Friday, 2nd March 1973, the Sergeants' Mess Ball took place and during the evening OC D Company withdrew early in order to catch the early morning boat to Belfast, (Shades of Waterloo). The Company advance party of Coy Comd and small Admin team spent two days with the Grenadier Guards on the Maidstone and then when the rest of the Company arrived on Monday, 5th March all moved to Long Kesh, the home of 2 RTR. These it assisted during the Polling Day by covering 6 polling stations for a 48 hour period. This proved the non-event of the year and was really more of an Administrative Exercise trying to maintain 6 groups of 6-10 men each about 20 miles apart. Having safely deposited the ballot boxes at the Floial Hall in Belfast the company again joined the Grenadiers on board the Maidstone. At this stage it was warned that it would be moving to the Ardoyne district to help 2 Para during the announcement of the White Paper. The Colour Sergeant (C/Sgt Cairns) at this point nearly disappeared in a cloud of steam as his stores were about to make the 4th move in as many days. The company took over the Old Park Police Station from 4 members of 2 Para (the local police were glad to see 110 Jocks in lieu!) and were given responsibility for 4 major OPs overlooking the Ardoyne, the 2 Egg-lane OPs and 2 Rings OPs. Both very exposed to small arms fire from the hard-line Ardoyne area. The Company thoroughly enjoyed the period until the return to Kirknewton on 28th March. It was shot at approximately 50 times and in return killed 1 gunman from the Rings OP. (We claimed one more, but this was not confirmed). It patrolled in mixed Para/Argyll patrols and took part in search, funeral and escort duties.

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            The company returned to Scotland on the LSL Sir Tristram and were greeted on return by Miss Scotland. Her Press agent had warned the Jocks that she would wear a Royal Stewart Tartan mini-skirt and underwear to match. During the Press photos Cpl McCulloch and Pte Davie held her shoulder high and the Company was able to verify the claim. The Battalion Advance Party crossed on 12th March and the Main Body on the 15th March. Apart from D Company, the Battalion was based on HMS Maidstone, an old submarine supply ship which was moored in the docks, and operated under command of 39 Infantry Brigade. There then existed a fairly unique situation with the Battalion serving under the Colonel of the Regiment, who was Brigade Commander, and also serving in Belfast were Lieutenant Colonel John MacMillan Commanding 1 Gordons and Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Lorimer Commanding 3 Parachute Regiment. D Company remained under command of 3 Parachute Regiment for the whole of the tour and the remainder of the Companies were attached to the other Belfast Battalions for varying periods of time. This meant that they saw and operated in virtually the whole of Belfast and the battalion thus gained a very good knowledge of how operations differed between the Rural and Urban areas. One of the most satisfying aspects of the tour was that we found that the Battalion took naturally to this type of operation and fitted in very easily with the other units with whom they had to work. Apart from D Company, there was very little excitement as the Referendum and the issue of the White Paper were two of the "non-events" of the year. One particularly pleasing link up was when Companies worked with the Royal Marines and re-established the old Plymouth Argyll affiliations.

            The whole Battalion returned to Kirknewton on the 27/28th of March and took a well-deserved long weekend.

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Updated: 25 February 2015