1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers

   1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was at Shorncliffe serving with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They moved at once to York and then to Harrow on the 18th of August to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of August, landing at Boulogne, and crossing France in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe. On the 3rd of August 1917 they transferred to 36th (Ulster) Division and joined 107th Brigade on the 24th. They were in action in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 108th Brigade still with 36th (Ulster) Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

18th Aug 1914 Concentration

19th Aug 1914 Concentration

26th Aug 1914 Shellfire

27th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance

27th August 1914 On the Move

30th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

30th Aug 1914 Under Fire

30th of August 1914 A Hot March

30th Aug 1914 On the March

31st Aug 1914 Rear Guard

31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals

31st Aug 1914 On the March

1st Sep 1914 Rear Guard

1st Sep 1914 On the March

2nd Sep 1914 Rear Guard

2nd Sep 1914 On the March

3rd Sep 1914 Rear Guard

3rd of September 1914 Across the Marne

3rd Sep 1914 On the March

4th Sep 1914 Rear Guard

5th Sep 1914 Rear Guard

6th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

6th Sep 1914 On the March

7th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

8th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

9th Sep 1914 Bridging

10th of September 1914 Marching

30th Oct 1914 Under Shellfire

5th December 1914 Quiet

9th December 1914 Uniforms

12th Apr 1915 Into the Trenches

21st of May 1915 Awards

24th of May 1915 Holding the line

11th Jun 1915 Instruction

12th Jun 1915 Instruction

13th Jun 1915 Instruction

14th Jun 1915 Instruction

16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme

1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets

11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment

10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens

7th Feb 1916 Recovering from Wounds

9th February 1916 Call Ups

26th Apr 1916 Trench Work

1st July 1916 Bombardment

6th Oct 1916 Recce

22nd of January 1917 Reinforcements Arrive

5th of August 1917 A Line of Posts

18th of August 1917 Reliefs and Moves

5th Oct 1917 Sports  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. are at Ruyaulcourt P.15.b.9.8. Today was a holiday for the Battalion and sports carried on from 10am all day. There were various inter-Regimental, Brigade and Divisional contests. 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (107th Brigade) attended in large numbers and in our competitions with them we secured fifteen 'firsts' and seven 'seconds' to their seven 'firsts' and five 'seconds'.
9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2

12th October 1917 Daily Activity

16th October 1917 Daily Activity

9th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Strength: 37 Officers, 853 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 16 mules.
Increase: Seven Other Ranks.
Decrease: 2nd Lieutenant Galloway (Medical Board, England), 2nd Lieutenant J.I McCausland (6 months duty, England), 2nd Lieutenant E.V Crothers (transferred Indian Army) and two horses.
Support B.20.c line, left sub-sector. 1730. Relieved by 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers.
After relief, proceeded to relieve 11/13 Royal Irish Rifles in left sub-sector.

Dispositions:
B Company in right sector,
D Company in left sector,
A and C Companies, ½ each counter attack and passive resistance.
War Diaries

1st March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Grand Seraucourt.
1730. Battalion moved to support at Essigny Station in relief of 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers.
War Diaries

7th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
1800. Relieved 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in line, with 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on left and 8 King's Royal Rifles on right.
War Diaries

21st of March 1918 "Man Battle Stations"

31st of March 1918 Account of Operations

18th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
0200. Moved to Kemmel as composite Battalion with 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly.
Heavy casualties, while moving into position, from enemy shelling. Captain Despard wounded and died soon after. 2000. Relieved by French troops and marched to Siege Camp.
War Diaries

12th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Slightly more activity from enemy artillery. Battalion was relieved by the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and moved into Brigade Reserve on Mont Noir (M.19.d.65.05). Sheet Kemmel 28 SW 1/10000.
Total casualties: 1 Officer and 8 Other Ranks
War Diaries

21st August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
The day passed as usual. Our relief of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers was cancelled and orders given for an attack to be made by the Brigade. The 15th Royal Irish Rifles (107th Brigade) captured Mural and Wirral Farms, capturing 17 prisoners, at 0030, with 40 (wounded) casualties.
War Diaries

31st of August 1918 British Take Mount Kemmel

1st September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Reference Sheet 28 SW 3 Bailleul 1/10000, 28 SW 1/20000. Magilligan Camp, Bailleul. Keersebrom.
The day was spent in making shelters. At dusk the Battalion relieved the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers at Cpyrian Farm (S.11.c.7.3). Battalion Headquarters was formed at S.11.c.75.75 on railway.
War Diaries

3rd September 1918 Daily Activity  At 0700 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to Eastwood Camp (T.14.a.90.60). At 1900 we relieved the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the line. Battalion Headquarters was formed at T.9.d.90.60. The line taken over ran through St Quentin Cabaret, T.11.b.60.00, L'Alouette with Comapnies A, B, C and D from right to left, this line being about 500 yards in rear of line expected to be taken over.
War Diaries

3rd of September 1918 In the Line

4th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Wulverghem.
At 0800 Battle Headquarters was formed at T.10.d.05.80 and under an artillery barrage the Battalion, in conjunction with other Battalions on flanks, attacked. Good progress was made. D Company lost direction and got as far as Stinking Farm (U.7.a). Not being protected on flanks the enemy attempted to cut them off and the Company had to retire. Our line was established from road (T.6.d.35.80) where touch was made with the 30th Division, along hedge running south through T.6.d.4.0 to rise in T.12.b then along breastwork trench from T.12.c.50.35, T.18.a.80.90. With the gap between B and A Companies, D Company was put in support along road running south through T.6.c and T.12.a.
The enemy were not very numerous but their machine gun fire was heavy. The shelling was fairly heavy but was confined to vicinity of St Quentin Cabaret. During the operation Battle Headquarters was moved to T.5.d.80.40.
Six prisoners were taken, four of whom were sent through 29th Division on the right. Some of our men on the right were cut off and are thought to be made prisoners. The 29th Division took Hill 63 but did not come up far enough to cover our right flank. During the day there was an amount of sniping and machine gun fire and the enemy shelled St Quentin Cabaret and T.12.a with 5.9. In the afternoon he attempted a counter-attack by coming up along railway between B and A Companies, but was driven back by machine gun and rifle fire. At dusk our patrols were pushed forward to get the line behind Bristol Castle but were unable to do so owing to machine gun fire.
War Diaries

5th Sep 1918 In Action  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report: "During the night of 4th/5th of August enemy patrols were out and signs of work were heard. A Company of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers was ordered to fill up gap between B and A Companies. At 0500 under a very light barrage two Platoons of C Company, two of B, and the Company of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers were to attack the line Hanbury Support down to Irish Farm.
The 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers were not in position, in time for the attack. B Company were held up by barbed wire and had to retire. C Company got into King Edward Trench, but being unsupported on either flank had to retire to jumping-off trench after holding out for an hour. The enemy artillery did not reply but his machine guns were active.
The remainder of the day was quiet; occasional bursts of shelling near St Quentin Cabaret and farm at T.12.a.40.40. The Battalion was relieved at night by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on the line from road at T.6.d.40.80 along hedge running south through T.6.d.4.0 to river in T.12.b and from T.12.c.50.95, T.18.a.80.90. The Company of 1st Battalion were holding line T.12.b.35.30, T.12.b.20.10 and part of Plum Duff Street.
Our casualties since coming into line were four Officers wounded Lieutenants Murphy, Bell, Laird and Lyons, twenty Other Ranks killed, twenty Other Ranks missing and 103 Other Ranks wounded. We captured one anti-tank rifle, one light trench mortar, and three machine guns including a Vickers. On relief the Battalion moved to Divisional support at Cyprian Farm. The enemy shelled the roads during relief and the Battalion had to pass through gas shelling."
War Diary North Irish Horse

5th of September 1918 Situation Unchanged

6th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Keersebrom.
Arrival at billets was completed at 0200. The Strength of Battalion was not reported.The day was spent in cleaning up and re-organisation. The Billets were made more habitable though the day was cold and wet.
War Diaries

7th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
A complete change of clothing was made by whole Battalion. Inspections of clothing and equipment were held.
War Diaries

8th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Berthen.
At 1400 move was made to Berthen. Battalion Headquarters and A Company at R.16.d.60.50, B and D at Sutton Farm and C Company in Berthen. Route via S.17.c.75.80, Bailleul, St Jans Cappel, Schaexhen.
War Diaries

9th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Day was spent in cleaning up equipment and settling billets. Church of Ireland service was held at 1100. The Corps Commander visited the Companies in the afternoon.
War Diaries

10th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion Headquarters moved to Chateau at R.22.d.10.95. Battalion bathed at Piebrouck and trained by Companies.
War Diaries

11th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Companies did ordinary training. Remainder of Battalion bathed.
War Diaries

12th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Berthen.
Companies trained from 0800 to 1300 and in the afternoon Officers and NCOs discussed the day's work also the work for the following day. At 2300 the enemy put a few shells near Chateau.
War Diaries

13th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary training by Companies. Commanding Officer inspected A and C Companies. Rifles were inspected by Armourer Sergeant.
War Diaries

14th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary training. Lieutenant F.W.Vint and 2nd Lieutenants Richey R.A, Hall F.H, Logan S, Humphreys F.D.R, joined the Battalion for duty.
War Diaries

15th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Roman Catholic Church Parade at 1000 and Church of England Parade at 1100.
War Diaries

16th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion moved to Asylum in Bailleul at 1854 and were all in billets by 2200. Route by Schaaxen, St Jans Cappell.
War Diaries

17th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Bailleul.
Companies employed in cleaning up billets. Ordinary training also carried out by Companies. Battalion bathed at St Jans Cappell.
War Diaries

18th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Training by companies.
Sergeant Ferguson (D Company) awarded Military Medal.
Signalling competition (C Company winners) and Lewis Gun competition (D Company winners).
War Diaries

19th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion moved to Berthen at 1930, route by St Jans Cappel, Shaaxen. Platoon competitions (stretcher bearing and drill). Winners of stretcher bearing A Company, winners of Platoon competition (14 Platoon D Company).
War Diaries

20th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Berthen.
Battalion moved to Terdegem. Route by Mont-des-Cats, Godwaersvelde, Steenvorde. The Brigadier 108th Brigade reviewed Battalion marching through Godwaersvelde. Arrived in billets by 2200.
War Diaries

21st September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers left Terdegem. The Battalion moved to Watou at 1916, route by Steenvorde. Arrived in billets at 2130. Joined the Battalion, 2nd Lieutenants Steele J.H, Inglis J.M, Duncan R.S, and Kernaghan J.
War Diaries

22nd September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Watou.
Roman Catholic Church Parade at 1100. Church of England Church Parade with band at 1100. Court Martials of Privates Smith and Crockin promulgated. Football in afternoon.
War Diaries

23rd September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Training. The Commanding Officer inspected the Battalion in the afternoon.
War Diaries

24th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Adjutants' parade at 0830. Training by Companies, six men per Company instructed in German machine-gun by Machine Gun Company Sergeant. Football in afternoon, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers beat 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, A Company beat B Company, C Company beat D Company.
War Diaries

25th September 1918 Route March  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers undertake Company route marches in morning and were given further instructions on German machine gun.
2nd Lieutenants H.C Burrows and Bryson awarded Military Cross and Lance Corporal Gracey (D Company) awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for operations on 4th of September 1918.
War Diaries

26th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved from Watou to Road Camp (St Jan-ter-Beizan) at 2000. Arrived in camp 2130.
War Diaries

27th September 1918 Parade  At Road Camp (St Jan-ter-Beizan). 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers hold a Battalion parade at 1000. All surplus kits stored and preparations made for move to Siege Camp (near Vlamertinge).
War Diaries

28th Sep 1918 On the Move  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers moved from St Jan-ter-Biezen by rail to Vlamertinge thence by road to Salvation Road, Ypres. Accommodation was very poor.
War Diaries

29th Sep 1918 On the Move  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to Rifle Farm on Menin Road at 0400 then to Glen Corse Wood at 0700 and later to Reutel. Position was taken up at J.17.b and d with 12th Royal Irish Rifles on left. At 1900 Battalion moved to west of Becelaere in J.18.a and c. The Commanding Officer received verbal orders at Brigade Headquarters for an advance on Moorseele to begin at dawn. The evening and night were very wet and no rations arrived.
War Diaries

30th Sep 1918 Advance Guard  At Becelaere at 5.30am 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, covered by an advance guard, moved forward through J.18.b, K.13 central to K.16.c. Information was received from Brigade to the effect that the 109th Brigade held Terhand and Dadizeele. 9th North Irish Horse Battalion was to pass through 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at 0700. 12th Royal Irish Rifles to advance on our left, Terhand, Vijfwegen Road the inter-Battalion boundary, the first objective to be a line roughly north and south through Vijfwegen (K.24.a); second objective to be railway running north and south (K.20 and K.26 central); third objective to be Mooreseele. The 29th Division was on our right.
At 0700 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were on a line running south-west through K.21.a and c. The 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were facing south with posts along Terhand, Vinwegen Road. The 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were held up by machine gun fire and had lost touch with the 29th Division.
A patrol from 9th North Irish Horse Battalion discovered the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers holding line running south from K.19.a.9.6 through K.19 central, i.e. 2000 yards in rear. B Company 9NIH were sent to move along line of enemy wire through K.21.b, K.22.c and K.29.c to occupy high ground in K.30.a. C Company to move to right rear of B Company to protect flank, to get and keep in touch with 29th Division. A Company to move through K.22 central, K.23 central to K.24.c and to keep touch with 12th Royal Irish Rifles and D Company to move in support along Terhand, Vijfwegen Road.
B and C Companies 9th North Irish Horse came under machine gun fire almost at once after moving through the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, but A Company met with no opposition until they reached the east side of Methuen Wood, when they came under machine gun fire from houses in K.23.d about 9.30am. About this time the reserve Company came under machine gun fire from a pill box on K.24.b.0.3 and Leadenhall Copse which were cleared in spite of stiff resistance by 1230.
Twelve prisoners and two machine guns were captured in this operation, and an Officer with twenty Other Ranks of the enemy being killed.
All further attempts to advance our line beyond the general line of this pill box and Leadenhall Copse were prevented by very heavy machine gun fire from fortified farms on our right flank which was still hanging back.
At about 1800 when the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles passed through the line to attack, the general line ran K.24.b.0.3, Leadenhall Copse, K.23.d.2.5, K.29.b.2.8.
9th North Irish Horse Battalion casualties during the day were six Officers and 130 Other Ranks.
War Diarie North Irish Horse

1st October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "The 2nd Royal Irish Rifles relieved the Battalion in the line south of Hill 41. On relief the Battalion moved into Divisional Reserve in K.14.a. One Officer and fifteen Other Ranks casualties were incurred during relief. Remainder of day spent in checking casualty lists, deficiencies, etc."
War Diaries

2nd October 1918 Daily Activity  On the 2nd and 3rd of October 1918 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. remained in K.14.a.
War Diaries

4th Oct 1918 Relief  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers relieved the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on Hill 41. Battalion Headquarters at K.18.c.10.60. Strength of 9th Royal Irish: 13 Officers, 390 Other Ranks. The night passed quietly except for harassing fire on roads behind our lines.
War Diaries

4th October 1918 Reports

5th Oct 1918 Under Fire  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "The enemy put down harassing fire for one hour before dawn and dusk, but barrage line was well behind our line and no casualties were incurred. Northern boundary of Battalion adjusted to L.13.c.25.00."
War Diaries

6th October 1918 Under Shellfire  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. report "The day passed quietly except for heavy enemy counter preparation in which only 4.2s and 77mm were used. During the night Mansard Farm and copse K.24.b.5.3 were occupied without opposition. Few casualties suffered during the night from machine-gun fire. 2nd Lieutenant Bryson was killed on patrol whilst reconnoitering Goldflake Farm which was found to be occupied in force by the enemy."
War Diaries

7th Oct 1918 Holding the Line  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Between 7th and 9th of October 1918 Nothing of interest to note. Battalion continued to hold the line. Hostile counter preparation was intense at periods, especially before dawn and at dusk. About twenty casualties suffered. Aerial activity greatly increased on the 9th. Each night all wire behind our line was cut in order to facilitate the advance of attacking troops in the near future.
War Diaries

10th Oct 1918 Shellfire  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Enemy counter preparation at dusk and dawn became very heavy. Our heavies commenced wire cutting in front of Martell Farm. Enemy E.A. very active during the day. Plans for the capture and consolidation of Goldflake Farm were made. Our post at Mansard Farm had been evacuated during the day owing to wire cutting operations and had been reoccupied by the enemy. At dusk a small party rushed the farm under cover of a smoke barrage, capturing one machine-gun. The garrison ran back to their own lines, leaving identifications. A patrol during the night heard enemy digging in the vicinity of Martell Farm."
War Diaries

11th Oct 1918 In Action  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report from Hill 41. "At dawn a party of thirty Other Ranks under 2nd Lieutenant Darling MC formed up in Twig Farm. At 1000 under cover of a barrage and smoke screen, they rushed Goldflake Farm, capturing fourteen prisoners, three machine-guns, and killing about ten of the enemy. A position about 100 yards south-west of the farm was consolidated.
The hostile barrage was extremely heavy and we retired for the first time. Our casualties were one killed and two wounded. At about 1750 the enemy counter-attacked heavily on Goldflake, Mansard and Twig Farms. The garrison in Goldflake Farm withdrew after inflicting very heavy casualties on the enemy, who were caught in force on the road. The garrison of Mansard Farm was surrounded and fought their way back. The enemy succeeded in reaching Twig Farm but was held up by a small party which still held out in front of the farm. The enemy was finally cleared from Twig Farm by a counter attack. Mansard and Goldflake Farms remained in his hands.
Lieutenant-Colonel P.E Kelly was killed during the day by a shell. Our casualties during the day were two Officers and 25 Other Ranks.
The Battalion was relieved by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles and on relief moved into Brigade reserve in vicinity of Pease Corner."
War Diaries

12th Oct 1918 Reorganisation  At Dadizeele 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers spent the day in reserve reorganizing and checking, making up deficiencies. Major R.J.A Tamplin DSO took over command of the Battalion.
War Diaries

13th Oct 1918 In Reserve  9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers remained in reserve at Dadizeele. At 1700 12th Royal Irish Rifles recaptured Goldflake Farm.
War Diaries

14th Oct 1918 Attack Made  At 2am 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to area K.15.a, our position in the line being taken over by the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. At 0535 under a very heavy artillery barrage the whole Army attacked, the 107th and 109th Brigades being in the front line, the 108th in support. At 0900 we followed up the advance and took up position in L.20.c.
War Diaries

14th of October 1918 A Busy Day

15th Oct 1918 Advance  At Moorseele at 9am 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers report "The advance was resumed and we moved to Copper Corner (L.23.a)."
War Diaries

16th Oct 1918 Attack Made  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. report from Heule, Courtrai. "2 am. Moved to Heule via Moorseele and Gulleghem. Battalion formed up between G.23.d.6.5 and G.24.a.30.00. A and B Companies in front line, A on right, C in support, and D in reserve in readiness for attack. Enemy artillery was very quiet. Patrols of the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers informed us that country was clear of enemy up to River Lys but under artillery barrage we attacked at 0535. The Barrage was poor and short, causing three casualties. No opposition was met with except one machine-gun on railway at H.25.d, which was dealt with. Battalion reached the river, taking up positions commanding the opposite bank. The bridge at H.25.d.3.6 was destroyed and the railway bridge at H.25.a partially so at the opposite bank. C Company formed a defensive flank along railway in G.30.b, and D stayed at G.24.d.
The houses contained numbers of civilians. Touch was kept with 12th Royal Irish Rifles on our left. At 1400 under cover of smoke screen from rifle smoke bombs and artillery supported by trench mortars a section of Royal Engineers bridged the river and 2nd Lieutenants Steele and Logan with party thirty Other Ranks (D Company) crossed and took up positions at H.25.d.30.50 and on the main street and near the bank to cover the bridge.
The smoke screen did not last long enough, however, and the bridge being detected, came under machine-gun fire from railway about H.31.a.80.60 and was partly destroyed. The Royal Engineers section had three Officers and about a dozen casualties and were unable to complete the bridge, leaving our men cut off on the opposite side. This party knocked out two machine-guns and captured six prisoners. At 1800 under cover of night it withdrew, coming across by one of the boats. C Company was moved up and relieved B Company. At 1900 Battalion was relieved by the 23rd Middlesex and on relief moved to area Drie-Masten (L.12.c.05.55).
Total casualties for the day were 2nd Lieutenant Inglis wounded, one Other Ranks killed and 24 Other Ranks wounded."
War Diaries

17th Oct 1918 Reorganisation  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers. are at Drie Masten. The morning was spent in cleaning, reorganization and inspections
War Diaries

18th Oct 1918 Medals Presented  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers paraded at 10am for presentation of medal ribbons by the Divisional Commander at which he gave a short address.
War Diaries

19th Oct 1918 Church Parade  Ordinary inspections and Church Parades in morning for 9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
War Diaries

20th Oct 1918 Baths  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers. moved at 08.00 via Drie Masten, Winkle St Eloi, Lendelede to area B.19.c.25.20. In the afternoon Battalion bathes at Lendelede in German baths. Moved at 2230 via Hulste to area B.24.a.
War Diaries

21st Oct 1918 Attack Made  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. report "At 0730 the 108th Infantry Brigade (1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in front line) attacked in conjunction with 107th Infantry Brigade on right flank and French on left without artillery preparation. 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers advanced to railway line in C.28 and later got to Spitaal due south through C.29.d, I.5.c and d to road at I.6.c.00.70 getting into trench with 107th Infantry Brigade on right. French were held up on left by machine-gun fire from area C.23.a. At 09.00 Battalion moved to C.19.d.92.94 via Step Bridge at C.9.a.20.00. During day pontoon bridge at C.14.c.70.60 was shelled at intervals."
War Diaries

22nd October 1918 Bombardment  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Enemy bombardment on French at 0845 seemed to be counter-preparation. Attack by 107th Infantry Brigade and 9th Division at 0920. Enemy shelled Desselghem fairly heavily."
War Diaries

22nd of October 1918 A Combined Attack

23rd Oct 1918 On the Move  9th (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers report "1st Royal Irish Fusiliers reached Heinweg [Heirweg?] but French were held up on railway. At 1330 Battalion moved to Leemput (I.4.b).
Strength of Battalion: 15 Officers, 350 Other Ranks."
War Diaries

23rd of October 1918 Germans Withdraw

24th Oct 1916 Reliefs  At 6pm 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers. relieved 12th Royal Irish Rifles in support and moved to area I.4.b.
War Diaries

25th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Weather fine but dull towards midday. Battalion in support to 12th Royal Irish Rifles in attack on line J.36.c.0.4, J.36.a.3.2 through G in Bergstraat through N in Ansegham to northern boundary at J.24.c.0.0. Heavy machine-gun opposition was encountered and an advance of about 1,000 yards was made.
Strength of Battalion going into action: 12 Officers and 276 Other Ranks. Casualties: Lieutenant F.W Vint and 2nd Lieutenant J Darling MC wounded, 7 Other Ranks killed and 37 Other Ranks wounded
War Diaries

25th of October 1918 Heavy Fighting All Day

26th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Weather very fine. Positions captured during 25th consolidated. German observation balloon brought down by our aeroplanes near Worteghem.
War Diaries

26th of October 1918 Enemy Retiring Slowly

27th October 1918 Reliefs  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers. report "Weather fine in morning but dull towards evening. Battalion was relieved in the line by 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 34th Division, and proceeded to billets in Hulste."
9th NIH War Diaries

28th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Hulste.
Weather fine. Men in good spirits after night's rest, received kindly attention from civil population who cooked the men's food etc.
War Diaries

29th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Weather fine. Battalion moved at 0830 via Bisseghem to Lawe where they were billetted for the night.
War Diaries

30th October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Lawe.
Weather continues fine. Service for Roman Catholics held in Lawe church at 0800. Usual inspections and reorganisation carried out during morning. Company Commanders lectured their Companies on 'The Course of the War'.
War Diaries

31st October 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Lawe. Weather fine. Usual parades and inspections carried out in morning. In the evening the civil population were invited to a dance held in the School Room Lawe and a pleasant evening was spent.
During the month the Battalion was engaged in almost continuous fighting. Congratulatory messages etc received.
War Diaries

1st November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Lauwe. Reference Sheet 29 Belgium 1/40,000.
Spell of fine weather continues. Usual parades and inspections carried out in morning. Battalion bathed by Companies at M.21 central. In the evening the civilian population entertained the Battalion, at the School, to a dance. A very pleasant evening was spent. At 2000 the Battalion gave a dinner at which Major R.J Tamplin DSO presided. Among the guests were the Officer Commanding, 12th Royal Irish Rifles, Brigade Major and Staff Captain, 108th Infantry Brigade, and representatives from 1st Battalion, 108th Trench Mortar Battery, etc, etc. A very jolly night was spent notwithstanding the fact that a very strenuous day has preceded it, including a Rugby match between 12th Rifles and 9th Battalion team in which 12th Rifles won by two goals to nil
War Diaries

2nd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Weather fine. Battalion moved at 2100 to billets in Luingne south east of Mouscron. In the afternoon a concert was given by the civil inhabitants to the British soldiers and at 1630 the massed drums of the 1st and 9th Battalions played selections in the Grand Place, Muscron, where a large and interested gathering gave them a rousing reception.
War Diaries

3rd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Luingne. Weather continues fine. Inspection parades carried out and training continued throughout morning
War Diaries

4th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Spell of fine weather broken. Rain fell continuously throughout morning. Usual inspection parades and training carried out during day.
War Diaries

5th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Little rain in morning. Usual parades and training continued.
War Diaries

6th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Wet in morning. Battalion moved at 1530 to billets in Mouscron.
War Diaries

7th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Mouscron. Rain fell throughout the day. Men of the Battalion innoculated.
War Diaries

8th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Dull morning and rain towards midday. Captain R.L Emerson joined for duty from 1st Battalion and assumed the duties of Second-in-Command of the Battalion.
War Diaries

9th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Very bright morning. Usual parades carried out in afternoon. 2nd Lieutenant E.W Reynolds MC proceeded to UK prior to taking up appointment in Indian Army.
War Diaries

10th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Mouscron. Reference Sheet 29 Belgium 1/40,000 and Tournai 1/100,000.
Fine in morning. Church of England parade service in St Joseph's College Mouscron at 1100 and Roman Catholic parade service in St Charles Convent Mouscron at 1030.
News of signature of Armistice received during night 10/11 and great jubilations ensued. Fife & Drum Bands played in the streets and flares and rockets of all description illuminated the sky.
War Diaries

11th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Fine morning. News of signature of Armistice confirmed. Civilian population of town very enthusiastically applaud us as their deliverers. Usual parades and training carried on throughout day.
War Diaries

12th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Fine morning. Battalion paraded at 0930 and marched to Brigade parade ground for inspection by Divisional Commander who expressed his pleasure at the excellent 'turn out' of the Battalion. Captain A.P Faris joined for duty and posted to D Company.
War Diaries

13th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Fine morning. Training continued throughout the day. Included in day's programme was firing practice on the 30 meter range. Lieutenant A.L Dobbin MC rejoined from [hospital].
War Diaries

14th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Fine morning with touch of frost in the air. Battalion participated in a Brigade exercise in the morning and afternoon was given up to inter-Company football matches etc. Lieutenant K Coomb-Jones joined for duty as Signalling Officer.
War Diaries

15th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Fine morning. Training continued. Inter-Company football matches in afternoon.
War Diaries

16th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Moescron. Bright morning with touch of frost in the air. Battalion route marched in morning. Afternoon was given up to inter-Company football matches.
War Diaries

17th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Bright frosty morning. Special Thanksgiving Service of 2nd Army held in Roubaix attended by four Officers and 65 Other Ranks followed by a march past of troops before Lieutenant-General Sir C Jacob KCB. The usual Church services were held.
War Diaries

18th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Brigade Thanksgiving Service held at 1000 at St Joseph's College Mouscron. No further parades.
War Diaries

19th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary training from 0900 to 1200 when a Battalion parade was held, which included an address from the Commanding Officer and a few exercises with march past. Battalion concert was given at 1800.
War Diaries

20th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Route march took place, Battalions going independently. The school arranged by the Battalion Education Committee was opened at 1200 at the civilian school but nobody turned up. Officers Riding School in the afternoon.
War Diaries

21st November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary training in usual hours. School was held at 1100 when 43 men paraded. The school situated in Convent Schools.
War Diaries

21st of November 1918 Transfer

22nd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Mouscron. Brigade Inspection was held at T.19.d at 1000. Usual riding class in afternoon. Lieutenant G Robinson MC joins the Battalion.
War Diaries

23rd November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Photos of Battalion were taken in Companies but camera was unfortunately broken before Officers group was taken. Remainder of morning was spent in cleaning equipment and billets. Afternoon was devoted to football and riding class.
War Diaries

24th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual services were held at Cinema and Roman Catholic Chapel, Luinge.
War Diaries

25th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion route marched via Luinge, Aelbeke. Preliminary heats of 'V.C.' and Mule Race for Battalion. Sports were run in the afternoon.
War Diaries

26th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion, headed by bands of 1st and 9th, paraded at 0900 and marched to football ground at Tourcoing, where Battalion sports were held. The events included ordinary flat races, tugs-of-war, mule and 'V.C.' races with wrestling on horseback. A most enjoyable day was spent, the proceedings being also enlivened by selections from the Divisional Brass Band and the drolleries of two clowns. A goodly number of the civilian population were in attendance. The Battalion returned to billets by 1700. A concert was held at 1900 when the prizes were distributed. Captain J.E Gibson and Lieutenant F.C Hartness joined Battalion.
War Diaries

27th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Mouscron. Ordinary training by Companies and riding class. Billeting parties went to Luinge.
War Diaries

28th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Luinge.
Battalion route marched at 0910. Day turned out very wet. In the afternoon a move was made to Luinge. Battalion Headquarters was made at Chateau at S.23.b.3.0. Good billets were obtained.
War Diaries

29th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary training was held and settling of billets. Cross country run was held in the afternoon. Association football match with 12th Royal Irish Rifles resulted in a draw of two goals each.
War Diaries

30th November 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Inspection of billets was held by Commanding Officer. Ordinary parades were held in remainder of forenoon. Rugby match in afternoon against 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in which we won by six tries to one try.
War Diaries

1st December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Luingne. Reference Sheet 1/40,000 Belgium and France 28 & 29. 1000. Photos were taken of Officers and Regimental Football (Association) Team. Usual services were held at Cinema and Mass at Roman Catholic Chapel Luinge. Battalion defeated 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers by six goals to nil in afternoon.
War Diaries

2nd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary Company parades, training and school in morning with a short Battalion route march. Cross country run and practice rugby match in afternoon.
1730. Lecture by Commanding Officer to Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants on the inspection by Divisional Commander to be held in the near future.
War Diaries

3rd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion bathed. Lectures with training indoors owing to wet weather. Association match against 108 Brigade Trench Mortar Battery in which we won by nine goals to one.
War Diaries

4th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary Company parades and training with school in morning. Battalion cross country runners trained in afternoon.
War Diaries

5th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Luingne.
Battalion route marched through Mouscron but orders having been received for a Divisional March Past on the morrow the march was curtailed and we returned to billets, the remainder of morning being spent in cleaning equipment and inspections of same. Football match against 12th Royal Irish Rifles in afternoon which resulted in a scoreless draw.
War Diaries

6th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion paraded at 0740 and marched to aviation ground at Halluin (R.21 a & b) where Divisional Review and March Past was held. The cookers accompanied Battalion and dinners were eaten at Reckem; arrival back in Luingne at 1515.
War Diaries

7th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Commanding Officer inspected billets. Medical and kit inspections were held and men paid. Six Officers and 150 Other Ranks went to Roubaix in afternoon where His Majesty the King paid a visit.
War Diaries

8th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual Church services. In afternoon Rugby team beat the remainder of Brigade by 18 points to 8 points.
War Diaries

9th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary Company training with school
War Diaries

10th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary Company training with school. In afternoon Brigade cross-country run was held in which 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers won, 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers came second and 12th Royal Irish Rifles third.
War Diaries

11th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Day was wet and training was done indoors. Battalion Boxing Tournament was held in Mouscron and was very successful.
War Diaries

12th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ref sheet 29 & 29 1/40000 Belgium, France. Luingne.
Wet day. The Divisional parade for inspection by the Corps Commander to be held today was cancelled. Training was done indoors. The first man, a coalminer, was sent home today for demobilisation.
War Diaries

13th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Lecture was held at Mouscron at 1030 on 'Reconstruction' and was attended by six Officers and 100 Other Ranks. Ordinary training was done by remainder of Battalion. Four more coalminers were sent away.
War Diaries

14th December 1916 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Commanding Officer inspected billets. Medical and kit inspections were also held and men paid. Brigade Boxing Tournament held at Mouscron but none of our entrants were successful.
War Diaries

15th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual Church parades and services at Cinema and Roman Catholic Chapel at Luingne. We beat 108th Brigade football team by 3 to 1.
War Diaries

16th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
The Battalion paraded at 0800 and marched to aviation ground at Halluin (R.21 a & b) where the Division was inspected by the Corps Commander. It was followed by a march past and an advance in review order. The Battalion lunched on the ground and arrived in billets at 1445.
War Diaries

17th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Wet day. Training was done indoors and consisted of recreational physical exercises with lectures. In the afternoon C beat A Company by 3 to 1 goals in football.
War Diaries

18th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Battalion riding class for Officers formed. It took the form of a lecture on parts of the head and bridle with fitting of same. Ordinary training was done by Battalion. D beat B in football by 5 to nil.
War Diaries

19th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Riding class for Officers with practical work was held in morning. Training of Battalion consisted of physical recreational training, ceremonial drill etc. The NCOs were drilled by the Regimental Sergeant Major.
War Diaries

20th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual riding class and ordinary training were held. The Divisional Commander visited the Battalion and wished us all a Happy Xmas. The Battalion Rugby team beat the 1st Royal Irish Rifles by 8 points to nil.
War Diaries

21st December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual billet inspections were held by the Commanding Officer and also transport were inspected. Riding class was held. In football D Company beat C by 5 goals to 1. C Company held a Whist Drive and B Company a concert.
War Diaries

22nd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual Church services. Men were paid. In the afternoon a practice Rugby match was held.
War Diaries

23rd December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
First hour of parade was spent in physical training. At 11.00 Battalion paraded for route march but it was curtailed owing to inclement weather. Officers' riding class took place.
War Diaries

24th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ordinary training. There was a Battalion Whist Drive at (1900?).
War Diaries

25th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Church parades were held similar to Sunday. Good dinners were provided for the men, the different messes being tastefully decorated. The Commanding Officer visited the men at meals and drank their health. The Sergeants and NCOs had dinner at 1900 and appeared to enjoy it thoroughly. The Officers had a Battalion dinner at 2000 in C Company's Mess, the proceedings being of a merry nature.
War Diaries

26th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
The day was observed as a holiday, or a day of rest.
War Diaries

27th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Ref sheet 29 & 29 1/40000 Belgium, France. Luingne.
The weather was bad. Training was done indoors, physical recreation forming part of the programme. Practical lecture on horseshoeing was given to riding class.
War Diaries

28th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual inspection of billets by Commanding Officer and medical inspection of the men. D Company held a whist drive.
War Diaries

29th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual Church services.
War Diaries

30th December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Training consisted of physical recreation, ceremonial drill etc.
War Diaries

31st December 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Usual training in morning. Afternoon observed as a holiday and games were indulged in by Companies.
War Diaries

15th of February 1919 Boxing Tournament

19th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
1st Royal Irish Fusiliers cadre proceeded home. Surplus personnel attached to this Battalion.
War Diaries

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Want to know more about 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers?

There are:5420 items tagged 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Those known to have served with
1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Bannon Patrick. Sgt. (d.25th Apr 1915)
Barrett John. Pte. (d.12th Oct 1916)
Bates Edward. Pte. (d.31st Oct 1917)
Beirne Patrick. A/Cpl. (d.11th Apr 1917)
Best Hugh. Fus.
Bond Wilfrid Lyon. Pte.
Boughton Albert. Pte. (d.27th Apr 1915)
Boughton Robert. Sgt. (d.13th Apr 1917)
Brady Charles. Pte. (d.10th Jun 1915)
Brennan Joseph. Pte. (d.11th Apr 1917)
Brophy George. Pte. (d.17th Sep 1914)
Brown Christopher. L/Cpl. (d.5th Nov 1918)
Burns Samuel. Pte. (d.27th Aug 1914)
Bush Richard. Fus.
Caulfield Stephen. Pte. (d.17th April 1917 )
Davies John David. Pte. (d.14th April 1918)
Dillon Thomas. Pte.
Edward Kiernan. Pte. (d.14th Feb 1917)
Flood W. J.. 2/Lt.
Hanna George. Pte. (d.6th Nov 1917)
Hanna William. Pte. (d.3rd Oct 1918)
Hartley MID. William. A/Cpl.
Hetherington Richard. Cpl. (d.18th Sep 1914)
Hilliard Charles. Pte.
Hopps Frederick Arthur. Private (d.2nd September 1918)
Jones Wallace John. Pte. (d.2nd Sep 1918)
McArdle Thomas. L/Cpl. (d.12th Oct 1916)
McGucken William. Pte. (d.9th of June 1915)
Moore Francis. Pte. (d.11th January 1916)
Morrow VC. Robert. Pte. (d.26th Apr 1915)
Murphy James. Cpl. (d.11th April 1917)
O'Callaghan Michael. L/Cpl. (d.16th April 1918)
O'Reilly William. L/Sgt. (d.6th January 1917)
Pentland Hugh. Pte.
Smith MC MiD. Lawder Benjamin Sandys. Capt.
Verschoyle William Arthur. Capt. (d.11th Apr 1917)

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, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers from other sources.

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Cpl. James Murphy 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th April 1917)

James Murphy was Killed in action on the 11th of April 1917, aged 28. He is buried in Brown's Copse Cemetery in France.
s flynn

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Pte. William McGucken 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.9th of June 1915)

Private William McGucken served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 10th Brigade, 4th Division. He was involved in the fighting in 1914 at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Battle of the Marne, the Battle of the Aisne, and the Battle for Messines Ridge.
William was killed in action on 9th of June 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. His name is memorialised on Panel 42 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, in Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium.
Mary Spaniol

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Pte. Thomas Dillon 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

My Grandfather, Thomas Dillon, joined the Army aged 16 (age apparently 17 and 6 months) in 1900 and served in South Africa with the Liverpool Regiment during the 2nd Boer War. While still in South Africa he transferred the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers in order to serve alongside his brother. Transferred to the reserve in 1906, he was re-enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers on 5th August 1914.
He was posted to the 1st Battalion with the BEF on 12th of September 1914. He was wounded in early 1915 being returned to Blighty on 2nd May 1915 and posted to the 3rd Battalion (reserve) on 3rd August 1915. In September 1916 he was released from active duty as a result of his wounds and assigned to war work with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, while still remaining an enlisted man. On 12th of February 1917 he was discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for war service,

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Capt. Lawder Benjamin Sandys Smith MC MiD. 6th Btn. Royal Irish Regiment

Lawder Smith served with the Army Service Corps as a Lieutenant and arrived in France on the 12th of August 1914. He transferred to 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers in June 1916 and fought on Somme, where he won the MC at Lesboeufs on the 12th of October 1916, where he was wounded. He then transferred to 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in February 1917 then 119th Regiment, Indian Army in Feb 1918 and served until 1923 in Mesopotamia and Waziristan. Subsequently he was a civil engineer in India, Rhodesia and Iraq.
Ben Smith

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Pte. Wilfrid Lyon Bond 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

Wilfrid Bond was captured during the Somme battle, subsequently repatriated. Lived through WW2 and finally died aged 93.
Colin Bond

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2/Lt. W. J. Flood 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

Second Lieutenant Flood served with the 1st and 11th Battalions, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

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L/Cpl. Michael O'Callaghan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.16th April 1918)

Michael O'Callaghan served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Dessie

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Pte. Charles Hilliard 1st Btn.

Charles Hilliard joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers before WW1 and we think was a reserve in 1914, he was called up immediately at the start of the war leaving for France in August 1914. Amazingly he served throughout the war returning home in 1918 with only an injury to his foot. We don't know very much about his army life except he participated in cross country running competitions which he often won and we have a Wedgewood bowl that was one of his prizes. He died in the late 1960's having never discussed his army life.
Julie

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L/Sgt. William O'Reilly 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.6th January 1917)

Lance Serjeant O'Reilly is buried west of the church in the Kilmainhamwood Old Graveyard, Kilmainhamwood, Co. Meath, Ireland.
s flynn

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Pte. Hugh Pentland B Coy.1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers

Hugh Pentland was a farmer's son from Ballyworkan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He did his training at Shorncliffe, but after disembarkation in France on 22nd August 1914, the British Army was immediately engaged by the Germans. Only five days later Hugh was captured and he spent the remainder of WW1 in the Prisoner of War camp at Minden, Germany. According to the ICRC records, Hugh was not wounded. After repatriation, in 1919, he received Victory and 4 Star decorations. He moved to Canada, where he spent a quiet life as a bachelor in beautiful Peachland, B.C., Canada.
Alison Pentland

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Pte. Stephen Caulfield 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.17th April 1917 )

Stephen Caulfield was born in 1897 (Listed as being born in Kilclooney on his death certificate) In 1911 Census he was A Private in the Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 1st Battalion, A Coy. He was killed in action on the 17th of April 1917 aged 22 and is buried inAthies Communal Cemetery Extension, France. In April and May 1917 the 1st Battalion took part in the Battle of Arras, taking heavy casualties.
Laura

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Capt. William Arthur Verschoyle 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1917)

William Arthur Verschoyle, Captain, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, "who, though wounded, continued to lead his company in an assault and fell at the Battle of Arras on the 11th of April, 1917." Born 24 Sept. 1890
s flynn

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Pte. Samuel Burns 1st Btn, B Coy Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.27th Aug 1914)

Samuel Burns, my Great Uncle, was born in 1892, the son of Mary Ann Burns (nee McKinstry) and John Burns. He served with 1st battalion Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) and was based in Shorncliffe, England at the outbreak of WW1. They immediately mobilised to York, then Harrow before travelling to Bolougne on 22 August 14. On arrival they then travelled by train to Le Cateau to support the BEF withdrawal from Mons. He fought at the battle of Le Cateau as part of the 4th Division 10 Brigade in the area of Haucourt during the day and night of 26th August 1914. They held the ridge between St Aubert Farm and Point 137. As the fighting went on it was clear that the German gun barrage was too overpowering and they risked being surrounded or flanked so the order was given to retreat South. It was during this retreat that Samuel was killed on 27th August 1914. His body was never found and he is remembered at the memorial for the missing at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre. He was originally posted as missing with his death confirmed by the War Office on 20th January 1916. In his will he wrote "In the event of my death, I give all my love to all those I leave behind. That's about all I can do. So they can go to the bank and draw. I leave breath and my money. They can spend it anyway". His brother Isaac was my Great Grandfather.

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Fus. Hugh Best 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

Hugh Best joined the 5th Bn. R.I.F. during its formation at Portobello Barracks, Dublin, during August 1914. His home was at Lonsdale St. Armagh, were he lived with his wife Margaret (nee Armstrong) and six children (ages 2 to 16 approx.)
After training in Ireland, the Btn. along with the rest of the 10th (Irish) Div. were moved to Basingstoke, Hampshire, England in about May 1915. The 5th Bn. embarked at Devonport (nr. Plymouth) on the 11th July '15. The ship sailed on the early hours of the 12th of July (as per War Diary for 5th Bn. and not the 7th of July as mentioned in other reports). After the journey via Gibraltar, Malta, Egypt and the Greek Islands the 5th Btn. were landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 7th of August 1915. Hugh was wounded on or after this date and it is assumed that he went through the medical evacuation process and eventually arrived in Armagh. Meanwhile during his time away his wife Margaret died from cancer. Hugh remarried before the war was over and details on his marriage certificate stated that he was serving with A Company, 1st. Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. This Battalion was in France and Flanders. I do not know when he joined, where he served or when he left the 1st Bn.
William Best

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Pte. Robert Morrow VC. 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.26th Apr 1915)

Robert Morrow served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers during WW1 and was killed in action on the 26th April 1915, aged 24. He is buried in the White House Cemetery in Belgium. He was the son of Hugh and Margaret Jane Morrow, of Sessia, Newmills, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone
An extract from The London Gazette, No. 29170, dated 22nd May, 1915, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery near Messines on 12th April, 1915, when he rescued and carried successively to places of comparative safety, several men who had been buried in the debris of trenches wrecked by shell fire. Private Morrow carried out this gallant work on his own initiative and under very heavy fire from the enemy.
S Flynn

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Pte. George Hanna 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.6th Nov 1917)

George Hanna was executed for desertion 06/11/1917 age 26 and buried in Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery, Neuville-Bourjonval, France. He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Hanna.
s flynn

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L/Cpl. Christopher Brown 1st Garrison Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) (d.5th Nov 1918)

Christopher Brown served with the 1st Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was formerly 5225, Royal Irish Rifles. He died in India on the 5th November 1918. He is buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery in Burma (now Myanmar).
S Flynn

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Pte. George Brophy 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.17th Sep 1914)

George Brophy served with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 1st Battalion and died of wounds in September 1914.
s flynn

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Pte. Joseph Brennan 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.11th Apr 1917)

Joseph Brennan served with Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 1st Battalion. He was killed in action in April 1917.
s flynn

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Pte. Charles Brady 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.10th Jun 1915)

Charles Brady enlisted in Belfast.
s flynn

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Those known to have served with
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during the Great War 1914-1918.