Operation BANNER was the operational name for the British Armed Forces’ operation in Northern Ireland from August 1969 to July 2007. The Regiment completed several tours of Northern Ireland during this time.
Whilst a tri-service operation, the Army was the face of the support to the civil power throughout the troubles, primarily consisting of support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and from November 2001 the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
At the height of operations in the 1970s, there were about 28,000 British troops deployed. It was the longest continuous operation in the history of the British Army.
The Fusiliers’ first tour in Northern Ireland began on the 16 June 1970, and the Regiment’s last tour was a two-year residential tour of Belfast between 2003 and 2005. In all, the Regiment deployed 35 times on Operation BANNER. This equates to 21 years of Regimental service in support of the people of Northern Ireland and it is estimated that over 16,000Fusiliers served during the period.
During Operation BANNER twenty-seven Fusiliers were killed and many injured whilst in Northern Ireland or by terrorist action in Great Britain.
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