Terrorist threats & wearing of civilian clothes

[badjez]

A little research help please.

a) Please can anyone let me know when restrictions were placed on British soldiers wearing uniform whilst off-duty, on the mainland, as a result of PIRA threats? I believe this started sometime in the 1970's and wasn't relaxed for over a decade.

b) Under what conditions could the Regular Army wear civvies whilst serving in Northern Ireland during the troubles (off-duty & 'undercover')

Thanks, Stephen.

[Loski]

Originally Posted by badjez

A little research help please.

a) Please can anyone let me know when restrictions were placed on British soldiers wearing uniform whilst off-duty, on the mainland, as a result of PIRA threats? I believe this started sometime in the 1970's and wasn't relaxed for over a decade.

b) Under what conditions could the Regular Army wear civvies whilst serving in Northern Ireland during the troubles (off-duty & 'undercover')

Thanks, Stephen.

The restriction was in place in 1985 when i joined the army.

[REMEVMBEA1]

Originally Posted by Loski

The restriction was in place in 1985 when i joined the army.

It wasn't in place when I came out in 1973

[Roy]

I also remember the restrictions being in place when I joined up in 1985. I recalled it happened sometime before that year. I also seem to recall it was about the same time that BFPO registration plates were restricted. As I remember (I could be wrong) soldiers could buy a private vehicle (say in Germany) and register it on BFPO plats. I thing some poor chap was targeted off duty with a bomb, so that practice was also stopped.

Roy.

[54Bty]

The restrictions may have been dependant on the location, no civilian clothes were allowed to be worn by any Off Duty personnel in Woolwich SE London immediately after the 1974 bombing of the King's Arms pub.

The civilian cars in Germany were always registered with the BFG Vehicle Registration Office, but the special plates that identified them were replaced by German Civilian ones. Corresponding to the area they were in.

Marc

[at57]

I join in Aug 1974 and initially we could hitch-hike home in uniform. However, by the time I finish my trade training in Dec 1975 the restrictions were in place.

Andrew

[Irv]

In place in 1977 Not sure when it started though.

[jeep]

I did my last three years based at Deysbrook Barracks in Liverpool 1983-86. There were no restrictions in place at that time and I used to visit units all over Merseyside and beyond with no problem.

[grenadierguardsman]

I joined in 87-2003, we were never allowed out of camp in uniform. That's how it should be now.
Andy

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by Roy

I also remember the restrictions being in place when I joined up in 1985. I recalled it happened sometime before that year. I also seem to recall it was about the same time that BFPO registration plates were restricted. As I remember (I could be wrong) soldiers could buy a private vehicle (say in Germany) and register it on BFPO plats. I thing some poor chap was targeted off duty with a bomb, so that practice was also stopped.

Roy.

I think that was the RSM of 1 RRW, who was shot whilst off duty (in France?).

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

The restrictions may have been dependant on the location, no civilian clothes were allowed to be worn by any Off Duty personnel in Woolwich SE London immediately after the 1974 bombing of the King's Arms pub.

The civilian cars in Germany were always registered with the BFG Vehicle Registration Office, but the special plates that identified them were replaced by German Civilian ones. Corresponding to the area they were in.

Marc

As far as I can remember individual units could order a uniform ban, but a universal army order came out circa 1986 - I used to travel in uniform unrestricted 'on duty' up to around that date, in fact as I lived close to camp, I never changed anyway!

Re BFG Cars, BFG Plates used to be White on Black with a White border with 2 or 3 letters, 3 numbers & a B for British (i.e. ABC 123 B) - After 1986 If you had a Right Hand Drive vehicle you were issued with UK plates & Tax Disk, If you had a Left Hand Drive Vehicle you were provided with a German Registration.

At around the same time visiting U.S. Forces in Germany started to use German plates, and in the UK British plates.

[ploppy]

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman

I joined in 87-2003, we were never allowed out of camp in uniform. That's how it should be now.
Andy

Andy,

same here ! and totally agree with you !

Ploppy

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by ploppy

Andy,

same here ! and totally agree with you !

Ploppy

It could make the Queen's Birthday Parade rather less impressive! Mike

[Traist]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

It could make the Queen's Birthday Parade rather less impressive! Mike