17th March in wartime Northern Ireland

On St. Patrick's Day during the Second World War, officers presented sprigs of shamrock to soldiers in historic Irish regiments. The tradition carries on today.

Dunmore Park, Belfast, 1942

On St. Patrick's Day, 17th March 1942, Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. presented sprigs of shamrock to members of 31st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles in Belfast.

A Company Commander of the Auxiliary Territorial Service receives the presented shamrock. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17926 Info

An Officer of the Auxiliary Territorial Service presents the shamrock to Colonel F.T. Gillespie of the United States Army. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17927 Info

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Panter of the Royal Ulster Rifles presents the shamrock to an Officer of the United States Army. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17928 Info

Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. speaks with Colonel F.E. Gillespie and Major R.E. O'Connor of the United States Army. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17929 Info

Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. places a sprig of shamrock in his cap. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17930 Info

Presentation of the shamrock to members of the Royal Ulster Rifles. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17931 Info

Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. presents a certificate for devotion to duty during an air raid to Sergeant Pauline Ann Bromwich of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17932 Info

Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. presents a certificate for devotion to duty during an air raid to Lance Sergeant Lisle C. Chute. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Brigadier P.H. Hansen V.C. to members of 31st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, U.S. Army Officers of Irish descent, and members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service at Dunmore Park, Belfast. — ©IWM H 17933 Info

Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 1943

On St. Patrick's Day, 17th March 1943, the wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C. presented shamrocks to recruits at 25th Infantry Training Centre in Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C. receives the shamrock from his wife Mrs. Heard. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28221 Info

Major R.G. Scott, Second in Command at 25th Initial Training Centre affixes the shamrock to his cap. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28222 Info

Regimental Sergeant Major E.C. Jerome M.M. on his final parade as R.S.M. after 3.5 years service receives the shamrock. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28223 Info

Mrs. Heard and Regimental Sergeant Major E.C. Jerome M.M. on his final parade as R.S.M. after 3.5 years service. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28224 Info

Mrs. Heard distributing the shamrock to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28225 Info

Mrs. Heard presents the shamrock to an Officer of the Auxiliary Territorial Service in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28226 Info

Mrs. Heard presents the shamrock to the Padre at 25th Initial Training Centre in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28227 Info

Recruits march past the band at 25th Initial Training Centre following the St. Patrick's Day ceremony. The event is the presentation of the St. Patrick's Day Shamrock by Mrs. Heard, wife of Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Heard M.C., Commandant of 25th Infantry Training Centre to soldiers in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. — ©IWM H 28228 Info

Anzio, Italy, 1944

On St. Patrick's Day, 17th March 1944, 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers enjoyed a- brief rest with an extra ration of meat and tot of rum in Anzio.

Lieutenant Colonel Slane M.C. (Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers) holding maps holds a conference with Company Commanders including Major J.B. Miller and Captain E.T. Irving (Adjutant). 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13053 Info

Lieutenant Brennan of Bonds Hill, Derry~Londonderry looks on as Regimental Sergeant Major Kilduff of Lucan, Dublin, Ireland issues a rum ration to Lance Corporal Bannan of Main Street, Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, and Lance Corporal Niland of Devenish Road, Dublin Ireland plays the pipes. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13056 Info

Regimental Sergeant Major Kilduff of Lucan, Dublin, Ireland issues a rum ration to Fusilier Rogers of Drumsteeple, Co. Londonderry, and Lance Corporal Niland of Devenish Road, Dublin Ireland plays the pipes. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13057 Info

Fusilier Ince of Gurney Road, Stratford, London England watches as Sergeant O'Neill of Leper Street, Belfast cuts up a special meat ration alongside Sergeant Brine of Fenian Street, Dublin, Ireland, and Sergeant Smitty of Leicester Road, Narborough, Leicestershire, England. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13058 Info

Fusilier Moore of Cowley Hill Lane, St. Helens, Lancashire, England, Fusilier O'Shea of South Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland, Sergeant Gallagher of Brandywell Avenue, Derry~Londonderry, Second Lieutenant Scarrall of Laurels, Neston, Cheshire, England, Fusilier Hogg of Ballylucas, Co. Down, and Fusilier J. Burns of Phillips Street, Derry~Londonderry enjoy a tot of rum. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13059 Info

Sergeant Gallagher of Brandywell Avenue, Dery~Londonderry writes a letter home. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13060 Info

A Company Sergeant Major checks hand grenades. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13061 Info

Fusilier Clarke of Marquis Street, Newtownards, Co. Down and Fusilier Hickey of Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland sit in a trench reading the Belfast published 'Ireland's Saturday Night'. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13062 Info

Corporal Raynor od Cumberland Avenue, New Brudsley, Nottinghamshire, England writes a letter home. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13064 Info

Fusilier Morton of 149 Oxford Street, Church Grasely, Burton-on-Trent, England and Lance Corporal Cartwright of Mill Road, Wellingborough, Northamptsonshire, England. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13065 Info

D Company cookhouse staff Lace Corporal Arnett of Swainton Road, Leicester, England, Lance Corporal Mabey of Nightingale Road, Carshalton, Surrey, England, Fusilier McCusker of Church Street, Dromore, Co. Tyrone, Fusilier Hackson of Middlesborough Road, Coventry, England, and Lance Sergeant Hart of Barkergate, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England cut up a special meat ration. 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers celebrate St. Patrick's Day during their time in the fighting line at Anzio, Italy. — ©IWM NA 13066 Info