Waterloo And Royal Army History Tour

Local soldier honoured at RIR medal ceremony

The Condie family from Antrim pictured at last week's ceremony at Tern Hill Barracks in Shropshire in which campaign medals were presented to soldiers from 1st Battallion Royal Irish Regiment. Pictured left to right: Bryan Condie, Corporal Andrew Condie 1st Battallion Royal Irish, John Condie, and Stephen Condie. Last Saturday's event was a special day for the Condie family as it was the first time in 10 years the three brothers and their father were together. Stephen and Bryan gave their dad John a Father's Day surprise by attending the event in which their brother Andrew was presented with his campaign medal for serving in Afghanistan last year.

CAMPAIGN medals have been presented to local soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment for their recent tour in Afghanistan.

His Royal Highness, the Duke of York and more than 1,200 well-wishers turned out at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill to honour troops who served in Afghanistan and remember those who did not make it home.

Around 350 members from 1 RIR proudly paraded in front of their friends, family, military top brass and Prince Andrew at the ceremony last Saturday.

In his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, the Duke presented soldiers who took part in Operation Herrick 13 in Afghanistan with campaign and long service medals.

Among those receiving medals was Corporal Andrew Condie from Antrim.

The 27-year-old joined the Royal Irish 10 years ago and during his time with the regiment has served two tours in Iraq and more recently Afghanistan.

The event was a very special day for the Condie family with Andrew’s brothers Bryan and Stephen making a surprise trip to join their father John for the medals ceremony at the Regiment’s Shropshire base.

With the three brothers all serving in the Forces - Bryan is in the Royal Navy while Stephen, formerly with the Army Air Corps is now with 2 RIR - it has been difficult for them all to get together at the same time.

Indeed, the last time the three brothers and their father were all together was 10 years ago at Andrew’s passing-out parade

Meanwhile, the Waterloo Day parade honoured the troops who died in the Battle of Waterloo, which happened on June 18, 1815, and also three soldiers who died during the regiment’s deployment to Afghanistan.

The parade featured traditional music from the battalion’s pipes and drums and onlookers caught a glimpse of Finn, the regiment’s latest Irish wolfhound mascot.

Waterloo and the Royal Army History Museum Half-Day Trip from Brussels

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