12th March in wartime Northern Ireland

On 12th March 1941, the traditional presentation of the shamrock to a battalion of Royal Irish Fusiliers took place at Abercorn Barracks, Ballykinler, Co. Down.

Mrs. Allen, the wife of the Commanding Officer places a sprig of shamrock in her husband's cap. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8042 Info

Mrs. Allen, the wife of the Commanding Officer gives a sprig of shamrock to Officers. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8043 Info

Mrs. Allen, the wife of the Commanding Officer gives a sprig of shamrock to Officers. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8044 Info

Mrs. Allen, the wife of the Commanding Officer gives a sprig of shamrock to Officers. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8045 Info

Mrs. Allen, the wife of the Commanding Officer gives springs of shamrock to Drum Major Pogue to distribute among his band. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8046 Info

Mrs. Allen, the wife of the Commanding Officer, accompanied by her husband, gives a sprig of shamrock to Officers. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8047 Info

A Sergeant Major hands out sprigs of shamrock to his soldiers. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8048 Info

A Sergeant Major hands out sprigs of shamrock to his soldiers. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8049 Info

The Battalion march towards the parade ground lead by the Battalion Pipe Band. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8050 Info

The Battalion march from the parade ground following the ceremony. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8051 Info

The Battalion Pipe Band marches from the parade ground following the ceremony. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8052 Info

The Battalion Pipe and Drums following the ceremony. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8053 Info

Drum Major Pogue talks to well-known boxer Fusilier Tate about the historic Battle Honours on his drum. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock to members of a Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers at Ballykinler, Co. Down. — ©IWM H 8054 Info

Military Police on Motorcycles

On 12th March 1941, Lieutenant Bainbridge photographed members of the Corps of Military Police training on motorcycles during their time in Northern Ireland.

A squad of soldiers of the Corps of Military Police on parade while based with British Troops in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7988 Info

Soldiers of the Corps of Military Police mapping out a training route while based with British Troops in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7989 Info

A squad of soldiers of the Corps of Military Police on a motorcycle training run while based with British troops in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7990 Info

Gas Attack Training

On 12th March 1941, soldiers based in Northern Ireland while training demonstrated the right and wrong things to do in the event of a spray gas attack.

Five soldiers demonstrate the wrong thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7993 Info

Four soldiers demonstrate the right thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7998 Info

A soldier hiding under a cape demonstrates the wrong thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7994 Info

A soldier putting on a respirator demonstrates the wrong thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7995 Info

A soldier demonstrates the wrong things to carry in a gas mask container. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7996 Info

A soldier rubbing ointment on his eyes demonstrates the wrong thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7997 Info

A soldier dabbing with cotton waste demonstrates the right thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 7999 Info

A soldier rubbing ointment around his neck demonstrates the right thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 8000 Info

A soldier rubbing ointment on his hands demonstrates the right thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 8001 Info

A soldier throwing away and replacing his soiled eye shield demonstrates the right thing to do during a spray gas attack. These illustrative photographs are from a demonstration held in Northern Ireland. — ©IWM H 8002 Info