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IG JOURNAL, 1963

From IG Journal, 1963: SPEECH BY H.M. THE KING TO THE 3rd BATTALION IRISH GUARDS, ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY, 1916 Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener, Officers, N.C.O’s and Men of the Irish Guards, - On St. Patrick’s Day, when Irishmen the world over unite to celebrate the memory of their Patron Saint, it gives me great pleasure to inspect the Reserve Battalion of my Irish Guards, and to testify my appreciation of the services rendered by the Regiment in this war. The Regiment was created by Queen Victoria in 1900 to commemorate the heroism of Irish Regiments in the South African War. By the splendid achievements in your first campaign you have proved yourselves worthy of this proud tribute to Irish valour, and have fully maintained the high traditions of my Brigade of Guards. I gratefully remember the heroic endurance of the 1st Battalion in the arduous Retreat from Mons - again at Ypres on that critical November 1st, when, as Lord Cavan your Brigadier wrote, those who were left showed the enemy that Irish Guards must be reckoned with however hard hit. After twenty-eight days of incessant fighting against heavy odds, the Battalion came out of the line less than a Company strong, with only four officers - a glorious tribute to Irish loyalty and endurance. The graves that mark the last resting place of your gallant comrades will ever remain a monument of your resistance. In conferring the Victoria Cross on Lance-Corporal, now Lieutenant Michael O’Leary, the first Irish Guardsman to win this coveted distinction, I was proud to honour a deed that, in its fearless contempt of death, illustrated the spirit of my Irish Guards. At Loos the 2nd Battalion received its baptism of fire, and confirmed the high reputation already won by the 1st Battalion. I deeply deplore the loss of so many Officers and Men - including alas! three Commanding Officers. But the splendid appearance of the men on parade to-day - among whom I am glad to see many who have recovered from wounds and sickness - tells me that the spirit of the Irish is unquenchable. It has been a great pleasure to the Queen to hand you the Shamrock - the annual gift of Queen Alexandra. It is the badge which unites Irishmen, and you have shown that it stands for loyalty, courage and endurance in adversity. May it carry you to victory. Be assured that in all trials to come my thoughts and prayers will ever be with you, and I wish you all good luck.

IG JOURNAL, 1963
dbf, May 19, 2013
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