PREPARATIONS FOR THE DRUMCREE MARCH, JULY 1998 [Allocated Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: PREPARATIONS FOR THE DRUMCREE MARCH, JULY 1998 [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: BFB 206
  • Other titles: NORTHERN IRELAND ARMY INFORMATION SERVICES COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Army preparations in the run-up to the annual Orange Order parades in Drumcree, Portadown, an annual time of tension between the Catholic and Protestant communities in the area.
  • Description: (Tape 1) General views of tented camp in the grounds of Mahon Road Barracks, Portadown (set up to accommodate extra troops drafted in as a precaution against violence breaking out in Drumcree): vehicle park; soldiers relaxing, playing volleyball etc; helicopter landing site; Mahon Road Barracks entrance with vehicle checkpoint etc. Interviews with Captain Philip Morrison (Quartermaster Tech of 3rd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment), Captain Don Hood (1st Battalion the Scots Guards, Quartermaster of the tented camp); Major Colin Riddell (Brigade Logistics Officer) and Major Dick Hewitt (Deputy COS 3rd Infantry Brigade). (Tape 2) General views of Mahon Road Barracks: car park, observation tower, living quarters, gymnasium, mess, canteen. Unloading of supplies for the barracks and its temporary tented camp. Interview with Corporal Eric Jones of the Cheshire Regiment (newly arrived). Introductory piece to camera by Mobile News Team woman presenter. Delivery of portaloos to Mahon Road Barracks. (Tape 3) A damaged tractor and bloodsoaked wellington boot are seen in a barn: Captain James Carlton (RAMC, doctor to 8 Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment) tells the story of the farmer whose leg was crushed by the tractor at Keady, near Drumcree, and was rescued by the army. (This piece is intended to illustrates an aspect of the army's rôle: helping in the community.) Westland Lynx helicopter sequence (includes interior shots during flight). (Tape 4) British soldiers stand with Drumcree church in the background, during the second day of the Drumcree standoff. Interviews with Regimental Sergeant Major Ronnie Convery and Guardsmen Neil Roney and Daniel Grantcair (all Scots Guards soldiers). Scots Guards patrol; also staged shots of soldiers watching the news on a miniature television with Drumcree church on the hill in the background. Interviews with Lieutenant-Colonel Sandy Waite (1st Battalion the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) and Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Wattiss. The latter is interviewed at Shillington's Bridge at the bottom of the Garvaghy Road, traditionally the end of the Loyalist Drumcree parades and a potential flashpoint. For the first time, the Garvaghy Road has been partially blocked by the security forces, using large containers filled with cement. Soldiers are seen relaxing, and also on patrol in parkland around Drumcree. Further interviews, including Major John Donnelly (the Cheshire Regiment) and Corporal Ian Tunstall.
  • Alternative Title: NORTHERN IRELAND ARMY INFORMATION SERVICES COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: BFB 206
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (BFB 206-1)
  • Featured Period: 1990-2000
  • Production Date: 1998-07-03
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Army Information Services, Northern Ireland (Production sponsor) Headquarters Land Command Mobile News Team (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: Beta-SP Number of items/reels/tapes: 4 Tape length: 30
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    BFB 206

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register