THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE BELGIAN FORCES
IN NORTHERN IRELAND

SHORT HISTORY

Once it was agreed between the United Kingdom and the Belgian Government that 5 Infantry Brigades
would receive their training in Northern Ireland, the problem of coordination and administration arose.

Therefore it was decided to raise a headquarters staff which would coordinate
all logistical, technical, administrative and operational problems.

Further more the staff was to function as the point of contact between the Belgian
and the United Kingdom Government
concerning the civilo-military cooperation in Northern Ireland.

One of the Staff sections of the HQ in Northern Ireland

Visit of Fieldmarshall Montgomery at the Northern District, during the training period of the 6th Infantry Brigade "DEYNZE"

The War Office agreed officially to the creation of the HQ Staff of the 1st Infantry Division on April 30 1945.

The HQ Staff was encamped at Kirckassok, Northern Ireland.

It is this HQ Staff that functionned as the HQ Staff of the Belgian Forces in Northern Ireland
until the departure from Northern Ireland of the 6th Infantry Brigade

On March 13 1946 the HQ Staff of the 1st Infantry Division was at Bad Godesberg, Germany.

I found no information concerning eventual commanding officers.

FORMATION BADGES

The first Formation Badge adopted by the HQ Staff was the Formation Badge of the Northern Ireland District.

A white Irish gate on a green rectangural background.

1st Formation Badge of the HQ of the Belgian Forces in Northern Ireland Embroidered version, Belgian workmanship		Printed version

I found also a variant that was worn, namely the Formation Badge of the British Troops in Northern Ireland.

A red Irish gate on a black background.
The badge was worn in combination with a red rectangural arm title with the black inscription "BELGIUM".

Variant of the 1st Formation Badge as worn together with the "BELGIUM"

The second Formation Badge was a Belgian design.

A green diamond with the Belgian National Colours, black - yellow- red, in the upper and lower corner,
with a white Irish gate in the middle.

This badge was still worn by the HQ Staff of the 1st Infantry Division in Germany  in 1946 .

2nd Formation Badge of the HQ of the Belgian Forces in Northern Ireland

Other Insignia.

Belgian Rank Insignia were worn.

A Belgian crown in white tread, symbol of the Infantry, was worn on both shoulder straps.

On the left sleeve a white "BELGIUM" arm title was worn together with the Infantry flash.

On the right sleeve the Belgian National colours were worn, together with the Infantry flash.