Snapshots of the Gordon Highlanders on Patrol in Belfast in the 1970s

The 1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours, announced on 11 June 1977, was in a year of debt, industrial problems and when it came to Northern Ireland, the Troubles. The Queen, however, was determined to include it on her travels and the IRA were determined to attack her.

On the Queen's day, more than 32,000 troops and policemen, including the Gordon Highlanders, were on duty — the largest security force ever deployed there.

At the time of the Queen's Silver Jubilee, the Gordon Highlanders were based at Palace Barracks, Holywood near Belfast. Take a look at them on patrol in the city in the 1970s through these fascinating shared by Ronnie on his Flickr site.

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

Gordons on patrol beside the Mc Kelvey Sinclair timber yard on Duncrue Street across from the Ulsterbus head offices, 1977

Gordons checking the map in a back alley

Berwick Road just off Alliance Avenue

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

Gordon Highlanders on Patrol in Etna Waste, Ardoyne

Alliance Avenue at the shops looking back towards Deerpark and the Oldpark, 1977

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

Black Robby and Brian Jolly having a break

College Square East, near Belfast city center

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

Fort Monagh, 1973

View from inside the Pig on Patrol

Gordons doing vehicle check on Duncrue Street across from the Ulsterbus head offices

Mayfair Street 22 just off the Oldpark Road, 1978

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

Gordons on Patrol in Linenhall Street

The eastwards view from Divis OP, 1977

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

Gordon Highlanders on Foot Patrols in Bawnmore Estate

View from inside the Pig on Patrol

Sgt Wullie Pratt at the back, 1973

Ronni and Sid Jaffray on Gransha Park, Turf Lodge, 1973

(via Flashbak, the New York Times, Daily Mail)