inMULLINGAR'S
reserve
| 25
reserve artillery unit
stands down
A
by James Wims
pril 21st 2013 was a sad
occasion for Mullingar and
the Midlands, with 54 Reserve Artillery Regiment, the last
artillery regiment from Columb
Barracks, Mullingar, being stood
down at a ceremony at Carnagh
Range, Co Westmeath.
A year ago last April saw the
closure of Columb Barracks,
Mullingar and the last remaining
Members of 54 Res Arty Regt who attended the stand-down
ceremonies at Carnagh Range, Athlone.
artillery barracks in Ireland. This
was followed last November by
the stand-down of 4 Fd Arty Regt,
based in Mullingar for almost 70 years.
On April 21st this year the stand-down
ceremonies for 54 Res Arty Regt (the successor
of 9 Fd Arty Regt FCÁ), also headquartered at
Columb Barracks, took place
at Carnagh
Range,
Co Westmeath.
The officers, NCOs
and gunners
Pictured are six members of 54 Res Arty Regt who attended the standdown parade: (L/R) Sgt Ted Nugent, Cpl Fran Baker, Sgt Robert Cordial, Sgt
of 54 Res
John Duncan, Sgt Brian Jones and Cpl Barry Byrne.
Arty Regt,
A Family Affair: Comdt Séamus Brennan (Retd),
under the
former OC 9 Fd Arty Regt, and his son, Comdt
command of
John Brennan, who is now OC C Coy (RDF), 6 Inf
Bn, Mullingar.
Comdt Niall
Verling (now with 2 Arty Regt), were joined for
the ceremonies by former members of the unit
and former members of 9 Fd Arty Regt.
Also present was Lt Col Ray Yorke, OC 2 Arty
Regt, which was established in Custume Bks,
Fr Robert McCabe
Athlone, following the disestablishment of 4 Fd
CF blesses 54 Res
Arty Regt.
Arty Regt's colours
at the end of
Although Columb Bks and the artillery
the stand-down
are gone from Mullingar, there is still a military
ceremonies. On the
presence as C Coy, 6 Inf Bn (a Reserve company)
left are members of
is operating in the town from rented
the 2 Bde Band and
right is Capt Shane
accommodation.
Dooley (MC for the
occasion).
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