An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | VEtERAN'S NEWS VEtERAN'S NEWS VEtERAN'S NEWS REPoRt & PhotoS by SGT WAyNE FITzGERALD 20th Anniversary of Collins Bks Departure O n 18th April 1997 the 5 Inf bn marched out of Collins barracks, Dublin, for the last time, led out through the gates by the Army No 1 band. Watched by a size- able crowd, the troops marched along benburb Street and through Phoenix Park to their new home in McKee bks. At the time, Collins Barracks (originally Royal Barracks) held the record as the oldest continually occupied military barracks in the world. Construction commenced in 1701 and Royal Bks was first occupied by Col Pierce's Foot in 1704. The last British unit was 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, who handed over the barracks to Irish Free State troops on 17th December 1922, ending 218 years of occupation by the Brit- ish Army. It was soon renamed Collins Bks. While 5 Inf Bn was originally established in Custume Bks, Athlone, in February 1923, it is most associated with Collins Bks, having been stationed there from 1928 to 1940 and from 1959 to 1997. The battalion's departure in 1997 saw the barracks transformed into the location for the Decorative Arts and History section of the National Museum of Ireland. On a fine Saturday morning, 8th April 2017, the 5 Inf Bn Association commemorated this historic event by march- ing out of the barracks' arched gateway once again. For- mer BSM Gerry Hanley called the markers on parade, with veterans 'Anto' Finn and Wally Doyle marching out with the unit pennants, still in pristine condition thanks to the Association. Over 50 former members of the battalion then marched onto the parade ground with the smartness and pride typical of former soldiers. President of the 5 Inf Bn Association, former Chief of Staff and OC 5 Inf Bn, Lt Gen Gerry McMahon DSM (retd), then took control as parade commander. Colours were marched onto parade by retired NCOs Joe Hanley, Marlow Brien, and Eamon Doyle. Speaking to those gathered, Lt Gen McMahon said he was honoured to take the parade, particularly as 5 Inf Bn was the only unit he had commanded during his career. He com- mended former members of the battalion for their commit- ment, many of whom had spent their entire careers with 5 Inf Bn, as well as thanking the families who had supported their loved ones, particularly during long periods of service overseas. "The 5 Inf Bn was a proud unit and I'm glad steps were taken to preserve the memory of the Battalion. We parade here to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the March Out of Collins Bks." Regrettably Lt Gen McMahon was unable to march at the head of the parade and was deputised by Comdt John Picard (retd), another former 5 Inf Bn officer. The IUNVA pipe band provided fine musical accompani- ment to the parade as it left the hallowed ground of Collins Bks, adding greatly to the excitement of unsuspecting tour- ists visiting the National Museum. Arriving onto Clarke Square, where the music and march- ing feet echoed once again for this memorable occasion, they proceeded out through the archway of the Clock Block, where the ionic photo was taken 20 years previously. They marched out of the main gate and onto the streets of Dub- lin City, where everything stopped momentarily as these men and women once again marched out of Collins Bar- racks, keeping their former unit's history alive. (In 2012, 5 Inf Bn was amalgamated with 2 Inf Bn to form 7 Inf Bn, based in Cathal Brugha Bks, Rathmines.) 5 Inf Bn Association march on to their marker Wally Doyle. Lt Gen Gerry McMahon DSM (retd) saluting the Colours marching on to parade. Retired Sgt 'Anto' Finn once again leads the 5 Inf Bn through the archway.

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