Irish Battalion parade at Clive Barracks to celebrate St Patrick's Day - with video and pictures

Under blustery skies and with a light snow falling, more than 200 soldiers were led out to the parade ground at Clive Barracks, near Market Drayton to take part in the tradition.

With the regimental mascot Brian Boru, an impressive golden coated Irish Wolfhound, at the head of the parade the soldiers, the majority of whom come from Ireland with a smattering from across the UK and the Commonwealth, followed the regiment’s band, The Bugles, Pipes and Drums as it made it’s way to the bleak grassed parade ground where tents and marquees had been set up under greying skies for families and visiting military and local dignitaries.

After the regimental chaplain Ivan Linton addressed the crowd, the Colonel of the Regiment, Michael Murdoch inspected the troops and handed each man a Shamrock, which had been flown in from Ireland on Thursday especially for the event.

This was the first time in two years that the parade has taken place.

Last year the regiment was on deployment to Afghanistan, meaning the annual parade was not held at their home barracks.

Around 100 families watched in temperatures which struggled to get above freezing point.

Taking part for the first time was Ranger David Morrissey, 24 from Dublin. He had just completed his preliminary military training at Catterick and was keen to see what happened at a traditional military parade. “I have seen many St Patrick’s Day parades back in Ireland but they were all civilian and so this one is a bit special. They are a lot more different to a civilian parade. These are neater and better.”

Ranger Jake Naughton, 20 from Offaly in the Republic of Ireland added: “I had my passing out parade at Catterick last Friday. It is good to see one here. I am only used to seeing a parade of between 40-50 soldiers so it is great to see one on a much bigger scale here.”

Sergeant Robert Smith joined the Army as a young 16 year old more than 20 years ago. He said that although he had seen numerous St Patrick’s Day parades during his time in the Army, he enoyed evey one.

“I have been all over the world,” he said. “Last year I was in Kenya helping to rebuild schools and orphanages. I joined the Army as I was keen to get away from Northern Ireland but this is a tradition that I enjoy.”

For Commanding Officer Matt Lewis it was his first time at a military St Patrick’s Day parade having moved to take over at Clive Barracks in November.

He had been nervous in the run up to the event, but the keen wind had kept his mind on the matter at hand. “It is a real family occasion,” he said. “The day went very well. The parade was cut short because of the weather, we were not anticipating the hail and snow. But it seemed that everyone enjoyed it and it was a great way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.”

The regiment will be deployed to Afghanistan next year where they will work with the Kabul Security Force and train the Afghan military.