Blast from past: reunion of 23rd Recruit Platoon

The 50 years fall away, banter and good natured ribbing pass among the men gathering in a room at Columb Barracks. There is a youthful mischief among the group in the room with the big fire, as teas and sandwiches are served.

This is the reunion of the 23rd Recruit Platoon, a group of soldiers who trained in Mullingar before passing out in 1976.

“I’ve been researching old records to try and track down the guys, because some of them have never been back here since,” Tommy Owens says as he holds his hardback notebook, a tome containing details of the troops who 50 years ago paraded in front of the officers mess where they now gather in reunion.

“Most of the platoon were transferred to the border immediately after they passed out, for border operations. A lot of them spent their careers up on the border, they married women up there, raised families up there, you know,” he says.

The soldiers who concluded training as part of the 23rd Recruit Platoon had varied military service, some left after three years, others stayed for 23 years. Members of the platoon were part of nearly every major operation throughout the age of civil power in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s and 2000s.

“Members of the platoon served in all ranks in the army, from private up to sergeant major. So it was a varied experience. And they have a cumulative service of over 300 years between them,” Tommy says in the soothing burr of his soft Derry accent.

“Two of us came down from Derry at the time. I was just talking to one of the guys about my other county man, he died, so I’m the only surviving Derry man. There was guys from Dublin, a good few from Mullingar, some from Longford, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Castlebar.

“They were from around the country. We all formed up here in 1975, then went through our training the whole way up to April 15. Fifty years ago we passed out on that square out there,” he gestures to the parade ground now occupied by prefab houses.

Eight of the 32 returned to the officers mess in Columb Barracks to mark the transition of a half of a century. Joining them was Lieutenant Platoon Commander Padraic McDunphy.

Tommy was compelled to mark the half century milestone: “I just realised during the year, it’s 50 years now this year,” then the researching began. “A good few of them are dead, I think there’s about 10 of them have passed away. Some are overseas and they’re sending their best wishes today.

“The platoon sergeant lives in Thailand and he sent a lovely email. A lot of the lads are just dispersed, some are in Canada, two are in Australia, they’re all over the place.

“Some members couldn’t even be traced. They left the army after maybe three years, six years, and there was no trace of them after it. We tried to get them, but there was nothing we could do about that.”

Among those who passed away were the Flynn brothers, Pat and Dermot, and Hugh O’Friel from Derry, Kevin Bulger from Dublin, and Frank Kiernan.

Passing out in 1976, the members of the 23rd Recruit Platoon could not have envisioned how the army would change in the course of their life: “I retired in 2011. I was 34 years in the army,” Tommy says. “We were just talking about the equipment we had back in ‘75, ‘76. It was rudimentary equipment.

“We had no wet gear, nothing like that. We had a poncho, which was ridiculous. The equipment has evolved so much now. We’re the best equipped ground troops in Europe for personal soldiers. Not for the big weapons though, obviously, but the actual soldier is really well equipped now at the moment.”

The half century that has passed has left a different Columb Barracks. In the officers mess, there are mementos around the walls: “Most of the guys in the platoon served in all major border operations through the Troubles. But they also served in most of major deployments overseas as well,” Tommy says as he turns to point to three image of troops in action: “That’s Ballinamore, remember that incident? The ones on the top and bottom are Chad. They’re all members of this barracks in those pictures.”

There’s little by way of formality at the gathering. Lieutenant Platoon Commander Padraic McDunphy addresses the group noting that it is hard to believe 50 years have passed.

“I was an inexperienced fellow at the time,” he says, “barely out of the cadet school. It was new to me as well as to everybody else. All I can say is that you guys should be very proud of what you did.”

The Ireland of the 23rd Recruit Platoon was a different country. It can be difficult to recall the internal strife of the time: “You served when it was needed. It was a difficult time, as you know, there was a lot going on in Northern Ireland, and the army was expanding rapidly at that time.

“The call went out, and you were the guys who answered it. I know a lot of you have varying lengths of service, that combined service of 300 years, it’s a hell of a contribution to the state. I have to say thank you and well done. I hope you always look back on it with fond memories of the good times and good comradeship.”

The Lieutenant Platoon Commander lamented the disintegration of the military quarters: “I have great fond memories of this barracks. Both my kids were Baptised over at the church over there. It’s kind of a sorry looking sight now.”

A message from Spike McCormick, the division sergeant, was read out. There was a frisson of heartfelt emotion through the room as Tommy read out the words from thousands of miles away: “Spike fully intended to be here. He’s lived in Thailand over 20 years now,” he explained.

The letter clearly touched the group, who heard: “I had fully intended to be there to shake your hands, but unfortunately I am unable to make it. While I cannot be there in person, my heart is with you. There’s not a day goes by that I do not carry immense pride and honour to have worn the uniform with you. It was the privilege of my life to serve as your platoon sergeant.”

The correspondence from Asia continued: “Hold your heads high and enjoy this well-deserved reunion. Fifty years is a long time, but I still remember the grit and determination of every one of you. Following the training, the majority of you were assigned to the 28th Battalion in Donegal.

“In conclusion, I wish to say I may have forgotten your faces, but I have never forgotten the camaraderie we shared. Thank you for being part of my life’s journey. God bless you and your families. Hopefully we will meet sometime in the future.” The men then gathered around the fire and recalled their time as the 23rd Recruit Platoon, and the lives that branched off from that time half a century ago.