Okay here comes a dumb question from a Canadian doing family tree research.

My Great Grandfather, James Alexander WARD, joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers around 1899. His father might have been a soldier too.

PENAL LAWS in Ireland were brutal . What year was it that the Irish were finally allowed to join the Military ?

Posted by Crowsnest | 03.07.09, 22:03 GMT

As a ex FCA part-timer in the south I joined The Queens Regiment (5th Battalion TA) during the troubles. I joined and served to be acquainted with professional soldiery.

Whilst I enjoyed my time in the FCA there was only limited opportunity to learn top flite skills whereas in the British Army there was a Cold War conflict and much effort was required to stare down the threat from the Eastern Block.

I do remember with much affection how well I was treated in 5th Queens in Tonbridge. I still have my atestation papers. They remind me of a time when if you were in the British Army you were a traitor and I did have to answer some vicious phone calls.

Remember the song how it goes '...... some say the devil is dead the devil is dead - others say he rose again and joined the British Army' I'm no devil. But I do expect some hate mail.

Posted by mark sloan | 09.02.09, 14:11 GMT

It annoys me, not that Irish people join the British Army but that often the reason they do it is because our own one rejects them. The Irish defence forces are very strict on who they let in, especially when it comes to colourblindness and laser eye treatment. It's ridiculus the US Army will even pay for your surgery if you'll join them but for us it's either perfect vision or you'r out. Also I've heard that red/green colourblind people find it easier to spot camoflague as it just stands out to them.

Posted by Craig Murray | 15.12.08, 23:33 GMT

Rupert, thought you were dead. They told me you had been captured by the fuzzywuzzies during the Chad campaign.
Don't forget the Gurkhas. a braver bunch of chaps you will never meet. I think they come from the Isle of Man or one of the other Shetland counties.
By the way, I married your wife - truly sorry. She's now 84 and has lost her marbles. I put her in a home - but can't remember which one.

Posted by Col Melchitt | 07.09.08, 02:08 GMT

Each of the home countries has its place in the Army. The English being the natural leaders and thinkers have the command (helped with generous quaffs of good old Pimm's No1 Cup), the Irish being the natural fighters and brawlers are the business end of the stick and the Welsh and the Scots fit in somewhere in between. Jolly terrific combination and a winner every time.

Colonel Rupert(Ret), Epsom, UK

Posted by Rupert | 06.09.08, 18:18 GMT

Is that all you have to say Joe? Go you and join up or are you a wimp aswell

Posted by wilma | 06.09.08, 15:49 GMT

All members of the British Army serve under the same terms and conditions no matter what part of Ireland they are from. Came as a shock to my Unionist pride to be classed in the Army as "British /Irish". There was me going round for year shouting I was not Irish but British and they scuppered my charade the day I signed up. In the Army we were all classed as Irish no matter what part of the Island we came from.

Most Irish, be they North or South, joined not to fight for Queen and country but because they needed a a job, a trade (there's more to the Army than Infantry) and a chance to see the world. It didn't quite work out that way, I ended serving guess where ....Belfast in 76.

Posted by Sam Farrell | 06.09.08, 13:54 GMT

Do Irish members of the Crown Forces receive the same terms and conditions as the Gurkha members of the Crown Forces or do they receive the same terms and conditions as British members of the Crown forces?
The Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Gurkha's always seem to be at the sharp end while the English make the plans and fix the tanks.

Posted by Peter-John | 06.09.08, 13:11 GMT

The British Empire was won with Irish soldiers, administered by Scottish and Welsh managers, and lost by English politicians.

Posted by JerryF | 06.09.08, 02:50 GMT

Punctuate Wilma. Punctuate.

Posted by Joe | 05.09.08, 21:57 GMT

I spoke to an Irish immigrant to the USA who told quite proudly that her great grandfather had been a Sergeant in the British Army in India in the 1800s. This is a field of historical study that has been sadly neglected.

Posted by Henry Kennedy | 05.09.08, 19:09 GMT

McRee you probably have not got it in you to fight for Queen and country or for the harp or shamrock you all make me laugh all are willing to take your wages or social security payments with the Queen on the money you talk a lot of bull and anyway Northern Ireland is the United Kingdom ireland is down south so if you live down south stay there but if you live in the north you are in the UK I will always support Our Troops for the great job they do in dangerous countrys only the Brave can do the work that they are doing God Save Our Queen

Posted by wilma | 05.09.08, 16:00 GMT

I will never accept fighting for Queen and Country. Fighing for Ireland should be in one's heart. But fghting for a person who thinks she is better than anyone else is pathetic. In England you are a subject. Here we are a citizen. I will always die for the Harp and Shamrock. Not for royalty. And what makes them so royal?

Posted by McRee | 05.09.08, 15:02 GMT

News coming through that the latest soldier killed in Afghanistan was an Irish citizen.

RIP

Posted by Phil | 05.09.08, 10:24 GMT

I agree with many comments here. I too am ex BA. I too have served alongside Irishmen from north and south. I just see them as Irish soldiers who were good at what they did, being professional soldiers.

Men from the Republic don't join because of any sense of loyality or become British overnight for joining up! Don't be stupid. They join to become professional soldiers, because many of them were either unable to join the Irish Army or want to go get the chance to go on combat operations. Why they want to see action... well thats another disscussion.

By the way, served alongside the Irish Army (or Irish Defence Force I think they are called) in KFOR and I was very impressed with them. Good lads. The more that want to join up with us... game on I say. We are the better for it!

Posted by Phil | 05.09.08, 10:20 GMT

Hi Liam - You sound like a nice guy who has probably just smoked a little too much... So until the day we all live in the utopia you imagine, I think its best we have strong armed forces to protect us all (not just fat cats) from becoming others slaves. I do agree that us Humans have a long way to go but we are not a horriffic species, when we are given the opportunity to flurish, not just survive, we can do amazing things for eachother. The men and women of the armed forces protect your ability to freely spout your nonsence; its not the best use of your freedom but at least its your choice. Please try to be little more grateful

Posted by Stuart | 05.09.08, 07:04 GMT

Life goes on as usual nothing really changes.

Posted by benbarr | 05.09.08, 01:19 GMT

Well boys , lets take a deep breath and consider , Irishmen of all persuasions like a bit of excitement , whether servinging in McALPINES FUSILIERS or The British Army , so sit back lads gather yer spite and let them all learn to serve together and watch each others backs , it might help the peace process .
It also might help us to recruit into the services of LAW and ORDER both North and South and let them fight the Drug Dealers and eradicate them the same way that That Ould Scotsman got rid oh the snakes

Posted by SAIGEADOIR COLLAC ABU | 05.09.08, 00:32 GMT

Seamus i am from Belfast and live in Ballymena many young lads from here are in the Forces what is wrong with you years ago during the first and second wars no cared what religion anyone was they all served to-gether my mum lost 4 great uncles in the first world war and we lost 5 uncles in the second world war all brothers along side them 3 catholics all brothers lost their lives its people like you stirr things up and make me mad if you have nothing better to do why dont you join up and see what the force go through oh sorry i forgot bigots and cowards dont do that do they

Posted by wilma | 05.09.08, 00:15 GMT

seamus sucks the big one!!!!!!!!if he is in the trenches with me i dont care if he is irish or british.i have got his back and i TRUST he has mine.

Posted by billy | 05.09.08, 00:03 GMT