request was refused. However, as a form of compensation, authority was granted for the formation of an artillery unit with the designation of 22 Field Regiment (South African Irish), South African Artillery. This unit was formed in June 1946 and it operated until 31 December 1959 as an artillery regiment. However, on 1 January 1960, the regiment was converted back to an infantry unit and regained its old nomenclature, the South African Irish Regiment. The period from 1960 to 1974 saw the regiment entrenching its traditions as an infantry regiment and during this period received the Freedom of the City of Johannesburg (Nov 1966), and their Regimental Colours (Nov 68). During this period the regiment formed and trained the Hunter Group, a volunteer special force unit, which was the precursor to the Reconnaissance Regiments. In 1971 members of the regiment and Regimental Association started the annual visit or "raid" to Barberton. In 1966 and 1971 the regiment participated in the 5th and 10th respective anniversaries of the Republic. Citizen Force Divisions and the Border War The period from 1974 to 1988 saw the regiment being part of 7th South African Infantry Division's 72nd Motorised Brigade and being re-established as a conventional force. During these years the regiment saw active duty in Angola during Operation Savannah and Operation Protea as well as undertaking operational duties during the Border war, together with internal security duties within South Africa; and exercises at the Army Battle School, e.g. Quicksilver and Thunderchariot. In 1987, the regiment underwent conversion from a motorised infantry regiment to a mechanised infantry regiment. In 1979 the regiment was granted the Freedom of entry to the City of Barberton because of the WWII training period and the frequent "raids" to the town. In 1984 the regiment, as part of 72 Motorised Brigade, participated in the parade celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the brigade's Formation. In 1989, due to the reorganisation of the forces within the conventional force brigades, the regiment was transferred to 8th South African Armoured Division's 81st Armoured Brigade. This year was also the 75th anniversary of the formation of the regiment and this event was celebrated by a battalion parade in Barberton. In 1991 the regiment organised the National 50th anniversary of the battle of Sidi Rezegh Parade in Johannesburg. In the same year, due to further restructuring of the conventional forces the regiment was transferred to Northern