First established as the Army Transport Corps by Defence Forces Order #3 dated October 1st 1924, the Irish Defence Forces Transport Corps has underwent various name changes over its 100 year history.
On September 12th 2024, Kevin Reid from Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport was an invited guest at the Transport Corps (An Cór Iompair) base at Curragh Camp, County Kildare to record the centenary celebrations. Our visit was hosted by Sgt. Brian O’Connor of the Transport School.
CENTENARY DAY
As Sgt. O’Connor outlined there were various displays of the Transport Corps capabilities, including a military vintage vehicle display, the operational fleet, the heavy lift display and a parade that was taken by Col Brendan Norton, Director of Transport, an open day in the Base Workshops. Ex-service members, current service members and their families were welcomed in to see what the Corps does on a day-to-day basis. Afterwards there was a lunch in the dining hall, a driving competition with a further military display from the IMVG (Irish Military Vehicles Group) of their vintage fleet.
HISTORY OF THE CORPS
According to Sgt. O’Connor, the Corps’ origins date back to January 1922, when the fleet consisted of a few lorries and a Buick saloon which was housed in the LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway Ltd.) buildings at South Wall in Dublin (this modest fleet was soon reduced when the Buick car rolled into the River Liffey!) The well-equipped motor firm, Thompsons of Pearse Street in Dublin was also taken over by agreement, and its employees officially joined the army.
Between April 1922 and August 1923, vehicles were procured from departing British forces (on ‘credit terms’ and later on a ‘reimbursement basis,’) and the transport fleet had grown to 1,143 vehicles supplied. Also, at this time a Quarter Master General was appointed to take charge or road, rail and sea transport.
In August of 1923 Gormanstown Camp, County Meath, a former Auxiliary Depot was taken over and this became the HQ of Army transport.
The Army Transport Corps was officially constituted (Order #3) on 1st October 1924, and through the 1930s was known as the ‘Supply and Transport Service’ and then in 1942 it became known as the ‘Supply and Transport Corps’ (S&T Corps) and retained that title until the 2000s when it became the Transport Corps (‘Sóláthair agus Iompair’) as we know it today and which continues to appear on the collar badges of the Corps.
EQUITATION SCHOOL
The Corps expanded in 1926 with the Equitation School’s founding to promote Ireland and the Irish horse, with Army riders competing at Olympic, World, and European levels.
CITIZEN ASSISTANCE
The Transport Corps first assisted Irish citizens during the 1935 tram strike, transporting civilians in a rare public interaction for soldiers. Research for this article found that by the strike’s end, several soldiers had formed romances leading to marriage!
POST-WAR PERIOD
After World War II ended in 1945, many Corps personnel returned to civilian life. From 1945 to 1947, the Corps decommissioned much of its vehicle fleet and transitioned to a peacetime structure
In 1947, a new organisation was approved, comprising:
o A Headquarters – the Directorate
o Depot and School
o Base Workshops
o Three Field Companies
o Three Garrison Companies
ROLE OF THE CORPS
Writing in the Foreword of the ‘History of the Transport Corps’ centenary booklet, Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), Major General, Adrian Ó Murchú set out the role of the Corps, “The role of the Transport Corps is to provide the Defence Forces with a heavy lift transport and logistics capability. The Corps is engaged in the science of planning for and carrying out the movement of forces. Specifically, the Transport Corps conducts the logistics functions of moving, fixing and fuelling to cover all aspects of military operations.
This includes the training and education of personnel in the areas of driver training and transport management. The Transport Corps and its personnel continue to play a pivotal role in the operations of the Defence Forces, whether this is on overseas duty or during on island operations.”
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SCHOOL
Founded on August 16, 1956, the Defence Forces Training School trained craftsmen for the Army and Naval Service. Today, the Transport Vehicle Maintenance School (TVMS), part of the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) under the Directorate of Transport, trains Defence Forces personnel in vehicle driving and maintenance for domestic and overseas operations.
OVERSEAS MISSIONS
Since 1958, Irish soldiers have maintained an unbroken record of peacekeeping service. Transport Corps personnel have distinguished themselves in these missions, with some making the ultimate sacrifice for peace:
o Capt Christopher McNamara
o Cpl Thomas Reynolds
o Pte John Marshall
The Transport Corps has played a vital role in international peacekeeping efforts. In Somalia (1993) under UNISOM II, 1 Tpt Coy operated from Camp Shannon, Baidoa, transporting supplies. In Kosovo (1999), the Defence Forces contributed a Transport Company to KFOR, based in Camp Clark, supporting KFOR units and humanitarian organisations.
Since 1978, Ireland has been active in UNIFIL, with Transport personnel key to deployments in Southern Lebanon. Contributions included an Infantry Battalion (1978–2001), a Mobile Mechanised Infantry Company Group (2006–2007), and a redeployed Infantry Battalion (2011) for patrolling, humanitarian efforts, and monitoring the Blue Line. UNIFIL remains Ireland’s largest peacekeeping mission.
Additionally, Transport Corps personnel have participated in various global missions with the OSCE, UN, and EU, particularly in Africa, including EUFOR Chad, MONUSCO DR Congo, EUTM Mali, and UNMIL Liberia, as well as the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights.
ATCP
Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) and Aid to the Civil Authority (ACA) are key Defence Forces services. As a major logistical unit, the Transport Corps led efforts in the 1980s fuel and bus strikes, flood responses, winter cold snaps, and the recent COVID-19 joint task force operation.
Our special thanks to Comdt Conor Hurley, DF Press Officer and Sergeant Brian O’Connor, Transport School.
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
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Check out our previous Irish Defence Forces video-stories:
Sliabh na mBan armoured car forever tied to Michael Collins https://fb.watch/xUlzjXjJQE/
Irish Army Driving Skills Competition 2024 https://fb.watch/xUlBJGViEa/
Sources of Information and Photo Credits:
Hugh Carey Photo Collection – Military Archives
Irish Army Vehicles – Transport and Armour Since 1922 by Karl Martin
Irish History 1916 through to 1923 – Facebook page
Kellybadges.co.uk
Key Military – Uncle Sam’s AEC
Lmssociety.org.uk
Military.ie
Museum.ie
RTÉ Photographic Archive
tanks-encyclopedia.com
The History of the Transport Corps
The National Archives of Ireland
Whytes.ie
