Shropshire's Royal Irish Regiment parades to mark St Patrick's Day

The annual event, which always takes place on the Saturday before St Patrick's Day, was held at the Tern Hill barracks.

Watched by their parents, wives, girlfriends, partners and children, the men marched in their best dress uniforms, complete with medals, and were accompanied by the regimental band. Also attending the parade was regimental mascot Brain Bru, an Irish Wolfhound dog who has the rank of Lance Corporal.

Lieutenant Colonel Ivor Gardiner, commanding officer of 1 R Irish, said the parade was of huge importance to the unit.

He said: "It is very much a family day and after the parade the men get together with their loved ones. We are a regiment that prides itself on our family links, with generations of the same family choosing to serve with the Royal Irish Regiment.

"In addition, the parade helps us to celebrate Irish culture and heritage."

The parade is not only held as a celebration of St Patrick's Day, awards are handed out and each man receives a piece of traditional Shamrock as a mark of respect.

The regiment draws 75 per cent of its recruits from Ireland, with a third of those from the Republic.

One of the chief areas of operations for the unit is the Balkans and their history in that area goes back to being involved in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War.

Captain Steve Mcguire said that this year is going to be a very busy one for the battalion. He said: "Firstly we are heading off to Germany to train with the Americans.

"Then in the autumn we will take part in Operation Trident Juncture, a NATO operation which will be led by Spain.

"Our combat role is changing, we are now becoming a light mechanised force using the Foxhound patrol vehicle.

"The Foxhound, which was developed in Afghanistan's Helmand desert, is designed to take us as close to the fighting as possible."

He added: "We are an infantry fighting unit and, as one of the army's vanguard units, are always on a high state of readiness."