North Irish Militia Troop The Colour.

Lieutenant Colonel G D Archer R IRISH commands the parade on horseback

When the former parade ground at Long Kesh was put to other uses in 1971, it dealt a final blow to the hope that the North Irish Militia would be able to Troop their new Colour in Northern Ireland. With the full co-operation of the Manx authorities, it was decided to hold the parade during Annual Camp on the Isle of Man on 30 August 1972.

Guests from Northern Ireland were flown on a twenty-minute journey by (a slightly delayed) Vickers Viscount to Ronaldsway Airport, Castletown and then moved by coach to the parade ground at the Ramsey Showground. The parade was commanded by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel G D Archer R IRISH, who was mounted on a bay charger, his previous grey mount having proven too nervous during rehearsals.

The parade began with the arrival of the General Officer Commanding North West District, Major General C W B Purdon CBE MC, followed two minutes later by the Colonel of The Royal Irish Rangers, Lieutenant General Sir Ian Harris KBE CB DSO to a General Salute. The Inspecting Officer, HE The Lieutenant Governor of The Isle of Man, Sir Peter Stallard KCMG CVO MBE (accompanied by his ADC, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) B Mylchreest RA), arrived to a Royal Salute at 1140 hrs and was invited to inspect the parade, which he did from an open landrover, the Commanding Officer escorting him at the (mounted) trot! The Regimental Colour was then trooped and the North Irish Militia marched past in slow and quick time.

After the parade both the Officers Mess and the Sergeants Mess entertained their guests to lunch in two schools just opposite the Showground and the Junior Ranks entertained their families at Jurby Training Camp. That evening the Officers Mess Ball was held in the Palace Casino, Douglas and the Sergeants Mess entertained their guests to drinks in the ballroom of the Fort Anne Hotel, Douglas. The following night there was an All Ranks dance in the Douglas Head Hotel.