The nickname "McAlpines Fusiliers" came from a regiment in the North Irish Brigade of the British Army. The Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Most of the men in my platoon were from the south of Ireland and a lot of those had worked for Wimpey or McAlpine. So for a joke, I called the platoon "McAlpines Fusiliers" as compared to other platoons with a lot English National Servicemen in them.
It was 1952 and we were on a route march from Lisnally Camp thru the Glens of Co. Tyrone when the news that king george 6th had died, was passed down to our platoon. A loud cheer went up, much to the rage of the Orange N.C.O's.
One fella started to sing-"Down the glen came Sarsfields Men" I shouted " McAlpines Men with their rifles slung behind them" This other fella changed it to "shovels". We had stopped for short rest and later on I said "Now were on the road again". That fella said. "With McAlpines Fusiliers" And later on in the march, this particular N.C. O. kicked me up the arse for lagging behind. That fella again shouted- " If you pride ya life dont join By Christ MAlpines Fusiliers". That fella never came back from his leave,so I never seen him again. I,ll bet He finished the song with his experience working on "The Buildins"
      I'm a Geordie (Of Irish descent) and I had forgot all about that march thru the lovely Glens of Tyrone. Until I heard The Dubliners version. I thought that Irish fella had published it with his experiences. I can't recall His name. Although, if Behan had not made the song famous. We would never have heard of it.
I am nearly Eighty years of age now, there must be someone left alive who remembers that route march thru the lovely Glens of Co. Tyrone.