Unit History


		*Unit History*

	Written by Comdt Eamon O’Briain


	The 11 Cavalry Squadron F.C.A came into being during what we in Ireland euphemistically call the ‘Emergency’. While the states of Europe were locked in mortal combat, Ireland adopted a stance of strict neutrality. As is to be expected contingency plans were made to defend the state from enemies from abroad. Thus a call to arms was answered by thousands of volunteers.



		1943 - National Parade led by Capt J.N Farrell


	Captain J.N Farrell was tasked with forming a Cyclist Squadron in March 1942. The Squadron was to be part of the Corps in the North Dublin area, commanded at the time by Col. J Lawless. On May 14^th 1942 the 41^st Cyclist Squadron was established. This group was made up of active cyclist from Dublin clubs, and training began in McKee Barracks. Thus the embryonic 11 Cyclist Regiment L.D.F was born. Names associated with the 41^st include Billy White of the Irish Road Club, Jack Sweeney, Sean O’Reilly, D.Troy, and T.J Sweeney. This was the first cyclist L.D.F unit in existence.

Shortly afterwards the 42^nd (An Oige) Cyclist Squadron came into being led by Aidan Pender, and included Brendan O’Shea, Sean O’Briain, Jim Dillon, Stan O’Grady, Steve Comerford, and G.Kerr.

The 43^rd Cyclist Squadron was formed soon after, led by Clem Kinsella with J Howard and E Leonard. Interestingly the Guidgon of this Squadron included ‘Pegasus and this was incorporated into the 11 Cavalry (FCA) Regimental Guidgon after the war. The next Squadron was the 44^th, an Irish speaking unit. Brendan O’Shea was transferred to act as O.C of this unit and it does not require a great imagination to figure out how the 44^th soon acquired the nickname of the “Ta-Se’s” or “Ta-Shea’s”. The formation of a Headquarters brought the Regiment to full strength.

On 15^th of October 1944 the Guidgons were formally presented to the Regiment and to those present the ceremony must have presented as an awesome sight.


	One can only surmise how the L.D.F and the 11 Cyclist Regiment would have performed against a real enemy but history dictated we were not to be embroiled in the European war. The attention of Mr.Hitler turned eastward and eventually the ‘Emergency’ came to and end. With its end the raison d’être for the L.D.F ceased. However a down-stream effect of such a response to the L.D.F plus uncertainty about the future led to the recognition of the need for a reserve force and so all members of the L.D.F were given the option of forming the new Forsa Cosanta Aituil (F.C.A). In 1946 many of the 11 Cyclists joined, some commissioned almost immediately.


	Mr Whyte became the new O.C of the new 11 Cyclist Regiment renamed 11 Cavalry Regiment F.C.A. the formation of the old 11 Cyclists gave way to ‘Able’, ‘Baker’, ‘Charlie’, and ‘Dog’ Squadrons. Vinny Crowley was appointed the first (and only) Regimental Sergeant Major.

	In 1947 Comdt. Laddy Hassett joined as Admin Officer and in 1949 Comdt Clem Kinsella was appointed O.C a position he maintained until integration in 1959.

Time marched on and the 11 Cavalry Regiment became mechanised the last ‘cyclist camp’ being Renmore in 1947. Mechanisation from 1948 meant the Unit got Ford V8 Armoured Cars, (built in Thompson of Carlow), ‘Bug-Chasers’ or Gitnas, Beaverettes and BSA motor bikes. Coy Sgt. J.Dillon (F.C.A) reports of a return visit to Renmore in 1949 which included a “mile-and-a-half long cortege”. This must indeed have been a sight to behold. He also reports that the R.S.M was able to hand over this mighty armada ”all present and correct” in Eyre Square ! (See An Cosantoir, Vol IX, No.10 October 1949 page 488).

The 50’s saw the unit concentrate on acquiring and maintaining skills and building a reputation for winning shooting competitions.


	At the end of the 50’s the F.C.A was integrated into the regular Army Brigade structure, Clem Kinsella got lateral promotion to the Brigade Staff and first regular Officer Commanding, Comdt. J.Larkin, was appointed. Commanding Officers from 1959 onwards were regular serving Comdts. The Regiment was reduced to Squadron strength, the appointment of a Regimental Sgt. Major went with the Regiment into history and John (Nobby) Clark became Squadron Sergeant.


	The 60’s were lean years for the 11 Cavalry Squadron. Commitments to the UN stripped the Unit of the Armour and in fairness the military higher command had more demands than ever on resources. So the 11 Cavalry Squadron slipped down the list of priorities as far as armament was concerned. Whatever the reasons the strength dropped very low so much so that we went to camp in Kilkenny one year in the late 1960’s in a bus the whole unit! In these circumstances, contrary to expectations morale was extraordinary high and ingenuity and improvisation was the order of the day. This period saw the sport of orienteering introduced to the 11 Cavalry Squadron.



				Landsverk 20mm shoot in the Glen of Imaal


	Capt.McCann leads the unit on ‘THE LONG(ford) MARCH’

Things changed in the early 1970’s. Two incidents happened, though whether they were casually linked is open to debate. The first was the arrival of the late Mick Considine as training officer and the second the acquiring of the Lansverk armoured fighting vehicle (A.F.V) in December 1972. Capt.

Considine seemed to take it for granted that the 11 Cavalry Squadron was a military unit. He brooked no excuses and the Unit responded. The norm was one weekend and one field day a month. Baldonnel runways became a second home for Lansverk driving.

Capt. Considine left on promotion to Comdt. and Capt. Brendan McCann replaced him. He was of the same mould and over night exercises, 07.00 Pt parades became the norm.

Squadron Sergeant John Clark retired in 1973 to be replaced by Squadron Sergeant Joe Carroll. Joe had been the regular Quartermaster in the 11 Cavalry Squadron who rejoined the F.C.A. Both men added a “je ne sais quoi” to the spirit of the Squadron and will be remembered for long years to come.

In 1970 the 11 Cavalry Squadron was called to the aid the Army and supply troops on border duty in Cootehill, Castleblaney, and Dundalk. The Unit furthermore did security duties in Carrickmines, Finglas ESB station, and Roundwood, and supplies drivers for security details around Dublin. All this activity added a real element of soldiering for the members of the 11 Cavalry Squadron.

Mar a deireann an seanfhocal “thuas seal, sios seal” the good times seemed to come to an end in the 1980’s. Time caught up with the Lansverks, the last one was boarded in 1985. These magnificent ‘war horses’ had given almost 50 years of service. The old guard officers, Comdt. Clem Kinsella, Capt. Eddie Farrell, Frank McMahon, Tom Buckley, Paddy Boyle, Comdt. Brendan O’Tighearnaigh and Comdt. William Moulton all retired in this decade as did Squadron Sergeant Joe Carroll, Squadron Quartermaster Peadar Grimes and Sgt. Willie McDonagh.

However the 1980’s were not all doom and gloom. The Landsverks were replaced by Panhard AML 60’s. Adventure training was given a “place in the sun” and weapons training continued.

The 11 Cavalry Squadron moved from McKee Barracks to Griffith Barracks in 1986 an in effect ‘twinned’ with the 2^nd Cavalry Squadron, to the mutual satisfaction and benefit of both. The first integrated camp, all Squadrons, regular and F.C.A, took place in fort Davis (Cork) in 1987, and the 11 Cavalry Squadron competed on an equal footing with its sister units.

And so to the 1990’s. Where to from here ? The reaction of the 11 Cavalry Squadron to the financial restraints and cut backs is one of calm. These are seen as ‘problems’ to be solved and no doubt the spirit that has kept the unit going for over 50 years will devise the means of going into the next century (and beyond?).

(To be contnued)