62 Reserve Cavalry Squadron

62nd Reserve Cavalry Squadron
Unit Flash of the 62nd Res. Cav. Sqn.
Country	Ireland
Branch	Army
Type	Cavalry Squadron
Role	Reconnaissance/Combat Support
Size	Squadron
Part of	2nd Reserve Eastern Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Cathal Brugha Barracks
Motto	Through the mud and the blood to the green fields beyond
Colors	Black, Red, Green

The 62nd Reserve Cavalry Squadron was an armoured unit in the Irish Reserve Defence Forces (RDF). It was formed from the former 11th Cavalry Sqaudron FCÁ in October 2005. In 2013 with the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Forces it became part of the 2nd Cavalry Squadron its Permanent Defence Force parent unit.

History

The Emergency

The unit's roots start during The Emergency. During World War II, Ireland adopted a stance of strict neutrality, and contingency plans were made to defend the state from enemies from abroad, supported mainly by volunteer "reservists." A cyclist squadron was formed in March 1942, part of the Corps in the North Dublin area. On 14 May 1942, the 41st Cyclist Squadron was established, made up of active cyclists from Dublin clubs, and training began in the McKee Barracks. Thus, the embryonic 11th Cyclist Regiment L.D.F was born, with the 42nd (An Óige) Cyclist Squadron following shortly afterwards, and the 43rd Cyclist Squadron after that. The Guidgon of the latter included a Pegasus, which was incorporated into the 11th Cavalry (FCÁ) Regimental Guidgon after the Emergency.

The next Squadron was the 44th (an Irish speaking unit), and the formation of a Headquarters brought the Regiment to full strength. On 15 October 1944, the Guidgons were formally presented to the Regiment. These units were not involved directly in the conflict in Europe, and when "The Emergency" ended, the raison d’être for the L.D.F ceased. However, there was recognition of the need for a reserve force, and so all members of the L.D.F were given the option of forming the new Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (F.C.Á) in 1946.

Post World War II

Into the new millennium, the 11th Cavalry Squadron developed more intensive training programs and a broader range of courses. Those programs and courses consisted of armoured car shoots conducted at least twice a year and FCÁ personnel taking part on the same gunnery shoot as their PDF counterparts.

As part of a wider restructure of the defence forces, (which began in 2000), the 11th Cavalry Squadron FCÁ was stood down in October 2005 and the new 62nd Reserve Cavalry Squadron RDF took up the mantel.