6th Cavalry

An advance unit of troops from 6th Cavalry Group was on board the troopship Queen Mary when it departed New York on 20th September 1943. They arrived in Gourock, Scotland on 25th September 1943 and made their way onwards to Belfast, Co. Antrim.

In Northern Ireland, they made arrangements for the arrival of the Cavalry Group. The regiment would have bases at Tandragee Castle, Tandragee, Co. Armagh, at Bannvale House, Gilford, Co. Down, and Gilford Castle, Gilford, Co. Down.

Meanwhile, 1,556 enlisted men, 4 Warrant Officers, and 78 Officers carried out physical exams and received immunisations. They departed from New York on board Queen Elizabeth on 8th October 1943. The ship was so crowded, the troops split their time between bunking in cabins and sheltering on covered decks. They arrived in Gourock, Scotland on 18th October 1943 and, having remained on the ship for a day, landed in Belfast, Co. Antrim on 20th October 1943. The first journey in Ulster was by train to the rural Madden Bridge Railway Station, Tandragee, Co. Armagh.

During their time in Tandragee, Co. Armagh and Gilford, Co. Down, 6th Cavalry took part in road marches, physical and mental exercises, and firing practise. The used this time to train while waiting for the arrival of their vehicles and armoured cars. Before leaving Gilford, Co. Down, 6th Cavalry adopted a puppy born in the Commanders’ Quarters at Gilford Castle, Gilford, Co. Down. They name the dog “Shamrock” and he remained with the unit throughout the war.

Towards the end of 1943, reorganisation of the unit took place and the old 6th Cavalry held their last parade on 31st December 1943 in Tandragee, Co. Armagh. The regiment became 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group formed of 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and 28th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron.

General George S Patton visited Northern Ireland to inspect troops during 6th Cavalry’s time in Tandragee, Co. Armagh. He was guest of honour at a dance in Tandragee Castle where 6th Cavalry Band provided the entertainment. They would later become 61st Army Ground Forces Band.

Within the new organisation, training continued with drills, courses, exercises, and mounted and dismounted marches. At the end of May 1944, 6th Mechanized Cavalry Group rolled out of Northern Ireland to their next staging post in England. From there, they went on to Normandy, landing on Utah Beach on D-Day +33 – 9th July 1944.