The Irish Guards Old Comrades Association was formed after World War 1 to enable friends to keep in touch with one another and to help members of the regiment to find suitable employment. The provision of welfare assistance soon began, particularly for wounded Old Comrades.
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Now named The Irish Guards Association and fulfilling a similar role the Association has five Branches, London, West Midlands, North of England, Ulster and the Republic of Ireland. An Annual Dinner is held by each Branch, also there are many other social gatherings throughout the year.
The Association is involved in many other Regimental events such as Memorial Sunday, held the nearest Sunday to St. Patrick's day when serving and non-serving members of the regiment march to the Guards Memorial on Horse Guards.
Old Comrades Association Dinner 1927
The Association celebrates St. Patrick's day with the Battalion when it is stationed in the United Kingdom. When serving overseas a combined St. Patrick's Day and Memorial Sunday takes place at Wellington Barracks where the Shamrock is distributed prior to marching to the Guards Memorial. Another event the Association is involved in is the opening of the Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey, on the Thursday before Remembrance Sunday, also visits to Commonwealth Graves around Europe and North Africa where Fallen Comrades are buried.
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Anyone who has served in the Irish Guards is eligible to apply to become a member of the Association, serving soldiers may also apply. Non Irish Guards who have served in the Armed Forces may apply to become an associate member, this also applies to foreign forces.