Army 1920’s, Ireland and Germany

[Lindyloowho]

My dad joined the Northumberland Fusiliers in 1922, age 18, and in 1923 was posted with the 1st Battalion to Cologne, Germany, where he stayed for 15 months. In October 1924 he was then posted to Ballykinlar, Ireland for 4 years.

Questions - what would they have done in Germany at that time, and more importantly to me, Ireland?  I understand Ballykinlar was an internment camp for Irish prisoners, but that only seemed to be until 1921. My dad told my brother he saw things in Ireland he wished he’d never seen?

Anyone with knowledge of that era and the Army’s role in these areas?

Thank you, Linda

[barryd]

From the Internet:

In August 1920 Winston Churchill told the British Parliament that the BAOR comprised approximately 13,360 troops, consisting of staff, cavalry, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, infantry, machine gun corps, tanks, and the usual ancillary services. The troops were located principally in the vicinity of Cologne at an approximate cost per month of £300,000 (£13,888,000 in 2021).[2] The Cologne Post was a newspaper published for members of the BAOR during this period.

From 1922 the BAOR was organized into two brigades:[1]

1st Rhine Brigade

1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers 1922–1926
1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment 1922–1926
2nd Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders 1922–1926
1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment 1922–1924
2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment 1926–1928
2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers Nov 1926 – Oct 1929

Germany. The objective I suppose was to stop another war. Not a success .

Ireland. I am not sure there was an objective. Not a success.

[Lindyloowho]

Thank you - I’d never heard of the British Army of the Rhine!
It all helps to add to his service record.

Linda

[Maiden Stone]

Thank you - I’d never heard of the British Army of the Rhine!

The British Army of the Rhine was a fixture for half my lifetime until after the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War. Having looked it up on internet, the one I knew was the second one of the name.

[dublin1850]

Information on Ballykinlar: http://www.kildare.ie/ehistory/index.php/ballykinlar-internment-camp-1920-21/

[Maiden Stone]

In October 1924 he was then posted to Ballykinlar, Ireland for 4 years.

Questions - what would they have done in Germany at that time, and more importantly to me, Ireland?  I understand Ballykinlar was an internment camp for Irish prisoners, but that only seemed to be until 1921. My dad told my brother he saw things in Ireland he wished he’d never seen?

Balykinlar, County Down aka Abercorn Barracks. The new Northern Ireland government continued to use it as an internment camp after 1921. A former inmate, Louis Walsh who became a judge, wrote a book about it. Another source is "Internment Northern Ireland 1922-1961" by John McGuffin.

[Kiltaglassan]

Abercorn Barracks, sometimes referred to as Ballykinlar Barracks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abercorn_Barracks

Snap, Maiden Stone 

[scotmum]

In local newspapers of time, first mention I can see of 1st Northumberland at Ballykinlar, was in a Troop Movements section for Recent Arrivals in Ulster Command. Newspaper dated 18th Feb 1926, and states they moved to Ballykinlar from Dover.

Various mentions of them therefter in 1926, 1927, then 1928 until they left in October1928.

[hanes teulu]

Belfast News Letter, 13 Oct 1926
Military movement in Ulster
The 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who were moved from Ballykinlar to Mayhill Barracks, Glasgow, at the beginning of the general strike in May, have received official intimation they are to proceed to their station in Ulster tomorrow.