royal irish rifles ww1

When he eventually died, aged 93, he left us with many happy memories of a great father and medals and papers from his time in the war. (d.1st Jul 1916), Topping Samuel. (d.20th Sep 1914), Brians Thomas Hutchinson. The Royal Irish Rifles was formed in 1881, under the Childers Reforms, with the amalgamation of the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot and the 86th Regiment of Foot. 8 October 1915 : transferred with Brigade to 25th Division. (d.7th Jun 1917), Allen Sidney Charles. I was able to visit the battle fields in Belgium, where he fought for so long, in 2007. 15th Batt (d.21st March 1918), Wadeley Ernest Benjamin. Royal Warwickshire Regiment who died 12/03/1918 ST. var daym=mydate.getDate() Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. Protection of the Suez Canal was of great strategic importance and the 2nd Battalion and a detachment of the 1st Battalion were sent to the region. He may have added a few months to his age, or even a year. The badge of the regiment as depicted on a CWGC grave headstone. 14th Btn. L/Cpl. (d.19th Aug 1918), Patton T. J.. 10th Btn. He enlisted as 5/9929 in 5th RIR 8.11.1916 and served with 2nd RIR in the BEF from 12.3.1918. . When the Great War started in August 1914 The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, The Royal Irish Rifles and The Royal Irish Fusiliers were in the British Expeditionary Force that went to France and fought in the first battles that developed into the stalemate of trench warfare. In the Third Battle of Ypres the battalion took part in the Battle of Pilkem. This sample comprises some 15,000 records of soldiers who served with the Royal Irish Rifles and Royal Irish Fusiliers up to 1922. 3 February 1918 : transferred to 107th Brigade in 36th (Ulster) Division. 'I turned over one poor chap on a rocky, bloody crag on Tanngoucha. His. (d.1st Jul 1916). Rflmn. 7,340 men from the Royal Irish Rifles are listed in the CWGC database of First World . Michael Jordan 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.10th Aug 1915), Ireland's Unknown Soldiers: The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War, Belfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists Fought and Died Together in the First World War. Also known as the 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot and the 18th (The Royal Irish) Regiment of Foot, it was one of eight Irish regiments raised largely in Ireland, its home depot in Clonmel. Moved to England in April 1918, going to Larkhill. Rfm. The Wartime Memories Project is a non profit organisation run by volunteers. The 36th (Ulster) Division arrived in France in October 1915 and fought in France and Flanders, in the Battles of Somme, Messines, Passchendaele, Cambrai, Kaiserschlacht and the final 100 days of war that led to victory. The 2nd Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, known as The Lumps, were in the 32nd Division on the right flank, which had been stopped almost as its units left their start lines by heavy machine-gun fire from the Thiepval Spur. Royal Army Medical Corps who died 22/02/1919 NUNHEAD (ALL SAINTS) CEMETERY United Kingdom ' It was amazing to see him with both arms and looking amazingly like my son, his grandson at the same age 100 years apart. All three regiments were awarded Albert, the official designation of the opening phase from 1st to 13th July 1916. Before the First World War, Robert Quigg worked on the Macnaghten estate close to the Giants Causeway, Co. Antrim. dailyinfo[9]=' Boy SALEH HAJI S.S. TANGISTAN (Swansea).Indian Merchant Service who died 09/03/1915 BOMBAY 1914-1918 MEMORIAL, MUMBAI India ' He died in 1955, at the age of seventy, and was buried with full military honours at Billy Parish Church, near Bushmills. At Armistice on 11 November the battalion were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where it remained and was demobilised by June 1919. He was a prisoner-of-war but I don't know where. More recently my brothers, sister and I have started to piece together his war-time story. On the outbreak of the Great War the regiments two regular battalions and three Special Reserve battalions were mobilised. By Richard Doherty, military historian, writer and broadcaster. 1st Btn. Ken, we were under the assumption that he lied about his age when he enlisted. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 26 October 1915 : transferred to 74th Brigade in same Division. Rflmn. He left behind his wife Catherine (Nee McCormick) and his three sons Richard, Patrick and John. William McCullough 9th Btn. 29 September 1915 : moved via Mudros to Salonika, arriving 4-5 October. Rflm. Update News. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned 'German Emperor and King of Prussia' and moved from a policy of maintaining the status quo to a more aggressive position. Rfmn. Royal Irish Rifles, Rfm. Its area consisted of Antrim, Down, Belfast and Louth, with its depot located at the Belfast Infantry Barracks (later renamed Victoria Barracks). Rifleman 12th Battalion (d.1st July 1916), Black John. Rfl. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 14th (Service) Battalion (Young Citizens) (d.24th Dec 1917), Magee Robert. (d.7th Jun 1917), Blunden Robert. Survivors continued to fight with various units until the end of March when the battalion was moved to reserve and the task of rebuilding it began. Rflmn. The events of the day were made even more spectacular by the presence of some 150 members of the Irish Guards the regimental band, the pipes and drums, the regimental mascot, wolfhound Domhnall, and a guard of honour. [5], The battalion left the Somme for Loos after the first phase of the battle but returned in October 1916 to fight on the ridges of Le Transloy in appallingly muddy conditions. On 15/02/2019 at 15:12, jonbem said: On 17/02/2019 at 14:33, kenf48 said: WARD, Frederick, Private (50236). dailyinfo[12]=' 457 Lance Corporal Arthur Price ROWE 2nd/7th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles Battalions of the Regular Army 1st Battalion August 1914 : in Aden. Probably because his enlistment in the R.I.R. 9th Btn. 14th (Young Citizens) Btn. [6], Following the Armistice, the battalion was posted to the formerly German-occupied area of Mouscron in Belgium before returning to England in May 1919. (d.22nd Mar 1917), Mailey John Henry. October 1915 : landed at Boulogne. - Royal Irish Regiment Museum. Moved to England in April 1918, going to Larkhill. (d.23rd Nov. 1917), Baker W. J.. Rfm. All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, I don't know exactly how he died, as records say he "Died of Wounds." The Royal Irish. I was able to walk along the very road where he was wounded for the last time in 1918 and to visit the grave of his patrol mate Herbert Musgrave. The Regulars remained on the Somme front as the campaign continued and additional service battalions arrived at the end of August with the transfer of 16th (Irish) Division to the sector. [2], The battalion's first major action was the Battle of Neuve Chapelle between 10 and 13 March 1915. (d.1st Jul 1916), Henderson J.. 14th Btn. For Falls, the main attack was that by 109th Brigade, with 107th Brigade following up. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LAWRENCE AND ANN) CHURCHYARD United Kingdom ' Moved to Clandeboye in December 1914. An officer in the Faughs described Ginchy as belching forth smoke like a volcano from the bombardment; the village was reduced to a wasteland. The 86th became the new 2nd Battalion. We have a large archive of soldier records. A German raid inflicted casualties in April 1916, but worse was to come in the Battle of the Somme in July, when the battalion was ordered to attack the German-held village of Ovillers-la-Boisselle. It participated in several of the most significant battles of the war, including the battles of Neuve-Chapelle, the Somme, Passchendaele and St Quentin. Attack of the Ulster Division, 1 July 1916'. The Division was relieved on 2 July, having suffered 5104 casualties of who approximately 2069 died. Formed at Belfast in September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. We add around 200,000 new records each month. Royal Irish Rifles (d.21st April 1917), Rfm. Sgt. Sir Harry Macnaghten has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France; he is among 26 men from Bushmills and district who were killed on the first day of the Somme. Beggs Thomas Alexander Thompson. The Royal Irish Rifles, especially the 1st and 2nd Battalions. Bleakley . 13 November 1917 : amalgamated with 13th Bn to form 11/13th Bn. The medals in your PDF are in the reverse order. dailyinfo[20]=' 10259 Private Charles BUCHANAN 1st Bn. Rfm. dailyinfo[4]=' Matrose Paul KURZKE Torpedoboot "G85" German Navy who died 04/03/1919 CANNOCK CHASE GERMAN MILITARY CEMETERY United Kingdom ' Ken, George's birthdate is 15 November 1898 (he was born in Gilford). (d.1st Nov 1916) Anderson Stanley Orme. (d.1st Jul 1916), De Carteret Henry James. - Inniskillings Museum Northumberland Fusiliers, 27th Bt . My Grandad was shot in the thigh by a machine gun bullet but made it back to friendly lines alive. Recruting map of Ireland in the First World War. - Royal Irish Rifles during the Great War -. July 1915 : moved to Seaford. The cap badge of The Royal Irish Regiment traces a direct lineage back through The Ulster Defence Regiment to The Royal Ulster Rifles, although the harp and crown in various different shapes is emblematic of a significant number of Irish regiments. Commemoration Society (Images courtesy of the Society). 6 Reserve Lorry Park Royal Air Force who died 28/02/1919 BELGRADE CEMETERY Belgium ' The service of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in World War I saw the battalion serving on the Western Front throughout the war. Ironically, the sole Somme battle honour not awarded to an Irish regiment was Thiepval. 28 November 1915 : sailed from Marseilles for Salonika. Rflmn. Rflmn. Royal Air Force who died 24/02/1919 LINCOLN (NEWPORT) CEMETERY United Kingdom ' On Sunday 3rd September the Division took part in the attack on Guillemont, committing 47th Brigade after 20th (Light) Division had been withdrawn; two VCs were earned. (d.7th Jun 1917), Mercer Samuel. October 1915 : landed at Boulogne. Battalion Unknown Abigail S H Rfn 9/43518 : Short Record Of Service Apperson G J Captain MC : Photo Ash R W Rfn (POW) : Short Record Of Service Baskwell W Rfn : Short Record Of Service Best F V Rfn 43399 : Short Record Of Service Bowkett W G T Rfn : Short Record Of Service It suffered very heavy casualties, repeatedly losing its commanding officers during offensives; by the end of one attack in 1916, it was down to only one surviving officer and sixty men. L/Cpl. 10th Btn. Rflmn. 5/9929 Rfm. In 29th Division, on the left, 1st Bn The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, veterans of Gallipoli (as was the Division), suffered losses second only to those of 1st Bn The Hampshire Regiment; 29th Divisions overall losses were higher than those of 36th. Their attack was one of the finest displays of human courage in the world. Typically eighteen year old recruits received further training, e.g Machine Gun Corps, or were posted to a home service unit until they became of age, this posting would not usually appear on the Medal Rolls. These cookies do not store any personal information. Our I see no reason why he received the 1914-15 Star except by an error. This was a harsh conflict with tough conditions. . [1] [2] History [ edit] Rflmn. Pat Toman was part of the re-built battalion until the 2nd of June 1918 when he was wounded while on a night patrol in the Ypres area. During the First World War officers and men of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were awarded eight Victoria Crosses, The Royal Irish Rifles three and The Royal Irish Fusiliers two. They moved to the Curragh in February 1915 then in May 1915 they moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England for final training. The London Irish Rifles (LIR) was a reserve infantry regiment and then company of the British Army. The Irish Military Heritage Foundation CLG, Educated for War The Story of Fingals Hely-Hutchinson Brothers, Braving No-Mans Land Sergeant Robert Quigg V.C, Irish Volunteer, Dublin Fusilier, Patriot Lieutenant Tom Kettle, County Donegal 1914 1918 Part 1 The Homefront and Rebellion, County Donegal in 1914 1918 Part 2: World War I, LAST OUT The Royal Munster Fusiliers on the Italian Front, Annual Somme Commemoration National War Memorial Gardens. Formed in Newcastle around October 1915 as a Reserve Battalion, from depot companies of 14th and 15th Bns. 1st Battalion (d.21st March 1918), Parker Robert John. 14th Bde. After all is over - and the remainder of the Empire is understandably irritated with Ireland - I hope these countless Duffs, from both the North and the South, and in all three services, will be remembered. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. 27563 Pte Sydney James Ward MGC Commemoration Society was formed in October 2012 with the main objective of raising sufficient funds to erect a statue of Robert Quigg V.C. Moved to Holywood in May 1915 and on to Ballykinlar in March 1918. Powered by Invision Community. Rflmn. Trace your military heritage through our Research Database. var year=mydate.getYear() L/Cpl. (d.21st Jun 1917). Scott Kennedy. if (year < 1000) year+=1900 Absorbed into 2nd Bn on 14 November 1917. By September 1914, only 6 officers and 200 men were fit for duty. 2nd Lt. 10th Btn. Rfm. Absorbed the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th (Reserve) Battalions in May. October 1915 : landed at Le Havre. Although the part played by the 36th (Ulster) Division in the Somme battles was over, there was still much to do for Inniskilling, Rifles and Faugh battalions. //-->, By It's easy! David Watson 12th Btn. dailyinfo[28]=' 19673 Leading Aircraftman Samuel Ambrose TICKNER Meritorious Service Medal No. Rflmn. A training unit of the Special Reserve, it moved on mobilisation to Holywood Barracks, with detachments going on coast defences. The battalion war diary for March 1918 ishere at the National Archives, orhere on Ancestry. John Armstrong 7th Btn. (d.24th Jun 1915), Bruce James. My grandfather Wilfred Lewis was 6 years younger than William so survived the great war, but we will never forget him or the sacrifice he made for our freedom. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Rouen on the 14th of August. (d.7th Jun 1917), Currie Harold. var fontstart = '' 1st Battalion (d.21st March 1918), Bustard W. E.. 14th Btn. He has travelled to places most have never heard of. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for . He was wounded by shell fragments in 1916 during the Somme offensive. On 13 November 1917 the battalion transferred to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division, absorbing the 7th Battalion. Moved to Clandeboye in July 1915. Moved to Clandeboye and came under orders of 108th Brigade in 36th (Ulster) Division. Moved at first to Newcastle and disbanded on 20 February 1918 but otherwise record same as 8th Bn. 9th Btn. Colvin Robert. August 1914 : at Belfast. 12th Btn. 9th Battalion (d.1st July 1916), Hawthorne G. A.. 10th Btn. In 1958 the Royal Ulster Rifles became part of the North Irish Brigade, and were expected to wear the Brigade badge. Was 19 years old that a man could enlisted? 15th (North Belfast) Btn. Moved to Ballykinlar and came under orders of 107th Brigade in 36th (Ulster) Division. Royal Irish Rifles, Rflmn. On 28 June 2016, a bronze sculpture of Sergeant Robert Quigg V.C. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. document.write; Val Whitty 1st Btn. Copyright 2023. Re-enlisted the following day, number 7006511. However, the attack was scheduled for Thursday 29th June 1916. If anyone has any further information as to how he died, I would be very grateful to hear from you. Moved to England in April 1918, going to Larkhill where absorbed by 3rd (Reserve) Bn. With 49th Brigade called in to support the attack, more success was gained on the left where 7th Bn The Royal Irish Rifles of 48th Brigade and 7th Bn The Royal Irish Fusiliers of 49th Brigade broke through the German line, allowing two battalions from The Royal Dublin Fusiliers to pass through to seize the objective. The original hangs in the City Hall, Belfast. In 25th Brigade of the 8th Division, 1st Bn The Royal Irish Rifles took part in the attack on Ovillers. dailyinfo[15]=' SS/342 Able Seaman Henry George SMITH (RFR/CH/B/5534).