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10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers    The 10th (Derry) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh, in September 1914, from the Derry Volunteers. They were attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division until the 2nd of November 1914 when they formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for thier action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach thier objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 21st January 1918 with the troops transferring to other units. The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Theipval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Theipval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour. A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology. You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below: Theipval Wood 90 Years On: Revealing History through Archaeology. Click here for more information. 23rd of November 1914 Reorganisation 12th of October 1915 Instruction 16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme 16th of October 1915 Divisional Exercise 21st of October 1915 More Moves 25th of October 1915 Royal Inspection 26th of October 1915 More Instruction 1st of November 1915 Marching Orders 7th of November 1915 Present Stations 25th of November 1915 Orders 27th of November 1915 Move 1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets 11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment 19th of December 1915 Movement Instructions 31st of December 1915 Working Parties 8th of January 1916 Moves   10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens 16th of January 1916 Building Huts and Railways 2nd of February 1916 Moving to the Trenches   6th of February 1916 Units Move to Front Line 9th February 1916 Call Ups 12th of February 1916 A Line Rearrangement   15th of February 1916 Digging and Mending   16th of February 1916 Collapsing Trenches   18th of February 1916 Lots of MG Fire   19th of February 1916 Under Heavy Fire   21st of February 1916 Active German Patrols   23rd of February 1916 Weather Turns   24th of February 1916 Snowy Weather   25th of February 1916 Heavy Snow and a German Patrol   26th of February 1916 A Store Burns   28th of February 1916 Changes to the Front   29th of February 1916 Active Aeroplanes   1st of March 1916 Reorganisation   2nd of March 1916 Very Strong Enemy Wire   3rd of March 1916 Divisional Artillery Relieved   5th of March 1916 Relief Completed   6th Mar 1916 Mascot Killed 10th of March 1916 Wood Shelled All Day 29th of March 1916 At Rest and On Relief 1st of May 1916 Reliefs 5th of May 1916 Bombs and Reliefs   8th May 1916 A Plucky Fight 8th of May 1916 Cold, Squally and Quiet   13th of June 1916 A Fine Piece of Work   22nd of June 1916 Moves are Planned   27th of June 1916 Intense Bombardment   29th of June 1916 Assault Positions   1st of July 1916 In Thiepval Wood   1st July 1916 Terrible Losses   2nd of July 1916 A Gallant Plan   6th Jul 1916 With Sorrow 10th of July 1916 Entraining Plans   12th July 1916 Back to the Battlefield 30th of September 1916 Supporting a Raid   1st of June 1917 Instructions for the Offensive   7th of June 1917 Attack a Complete Success   12th Jun 1917 Ground Held   Brigadier-General Ambrose Ricardo, the Commander of the 109th Brigade, 36th Division (centre), and his four battalion commanders (9th, 10th, 11th Battalions, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles) after the capture of Wytschaete, 12th of June 1917 © IWM (Q 6163) 12th of August 1917  A Bavarian Deserter   30th of September 1917 Battle Narrative   1st of February 1918 An Inspection 4th of February 1918 Reorganisation Begins 7th of February 1918 Movements and Shelling If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers? There are:5293 items tagged 10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling 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 10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the Great War 1914-1918. Allen Joseph. L/Cpl. (d.30th September 1918) Anderson William James. Pte. (d.12th Aug 1917) Anderson William. L/Cpl. (d.18th July 1916) Baird Thomas. L/Cpl (d.1st July 1916) Boardman John. Pte. Boyd Robert. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Campbell William. Pte. (d.11th August 1917) Cassidy James. Pte. (d.9th August 1917) Douglas John Alexander. Douglas John Alexander. Cpl. Ellis W.. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Ellison William. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Gillen Daniel. Sjt. Gray John. Pte. (d.26th July 1916) Hamilton William. Pte. (d.22nd April 1917) Hosier Ernest. L/Cpl. (d.29th March 1918) Lyttle John. Pte. (d.1st July 1916) MacKrell John George. Pte. (d.1st July 1916) Madden George. Pte. (d.10th Aug 1917) McConachie William. Major. McKay James. Pte. (d.10th Aug 1917) Mckee James. Pte. Miller James. L/Cpl. Mitchell William Hamilton. Pte. Montgomery MM & Bar. Robert Charles. S/Sgt. Montgomery Samuel Bloomfield. Pte. (d.1st July 1916) Morrison J.. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Reilly Henry James. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Rice William. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Scott James Tees. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Simpson James. Simpson Samuel. Pte. (d.29th April 1918) Taylor MID. Robert. Pte. Watton James. Pte. (d.7th Dec 1917) Wright George. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Wright Thomas. Pte. 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 10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Announcements 19th Nov 2024     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. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 264989 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.   Pte. James Watton 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.7th Dec 1917) James Watton was killed at Cambrai towards the end of 1917, aged 44, not 45 as stated elsewhere. He had huge misfortune in his life. His mother Maryann died in the 1890s (aged 40). His wife, Eliza, gave birth to about four children, none of whom survived infancy, and then Eliza herself died, aged 25. James's brother John (from Killowen Street, Coleraine) also took part in the Great War and lived to tell the tale. Gary Watton Add to this record.   Sjt. Daniel Gillen 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Daniel Gillen served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Add to this record.   Cpl. John Alexander Douglas 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers I just recently discovered my Uncle John Douglas originally was part of the 10th (Derry) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, formed in Omagh, September 1914 from the Derry Volunteers, they were then attached and renamed 109th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915 the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then deployed to France in early October 1915. Over the winter of 1915/16 the Brigades were attached to the Line Divisions in The Somme Area. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach their objective. However, the casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the day was over 5,000 in total. John survived the war. My memory as a 5 year old niece he suffered with lung decease. I have a photo of him and Obituary from the Belfast Telegraph he passed away at the age of 58. Per the Obituary prior to the end of the war he was returned to England for his commission and at the end of the war was demobilized from the Cadet battalion. Back in civilian life he joined the Ministry of Pensions. After a number of years he joined the Belfast Corporation City Hall Staff where he remained for 15 years. He was then appointed clerk in the Ministry of Education, where he remained until his retirement for health reasons. I understand from records he was a corporal and training with the Cadet Battalion for a military commission. I also have 2 medals that he received. Kathleen Douglas Parkes Add to this record.   S/Sgt. Robert Charles Montgomery MM & Bar. 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Robert Montgomery was transferred to the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1918 when the 10th Battalion was disbanded. He survived the war and died in 1958. Add to this record.   Pte. Samuel Bloomfield Montgomery 10th Battalion Inniskillen Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916) Samuel Montgomery was posted as missing at the end of the battle, his body was never found and his name is on the monument at Thiepval Add to this record.   L/Cpl Thomas Baird 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st July 1916) Thomas Baird was originally buried under the wrong name and posted as missing. His mother was finally told in 1932 that the CWGC had identified his body and reburied him in the Connaught Military Cemetery at Thiepval Add to this record.   Major. William McConachie 109th Coy. Machine Gun Corps William McConachie was my grand-father, who I never knew as he died in 1930, long before I was born, he served in South Africa then the Great War, initially in 10th Inniskillings before being posted to the 109th Machine Gun Corps, where he achieved rank of Major. Les McConachie Add to this record.   Pte. William Hamilton Mitchell 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers My Grandad, William Mitchell served with 10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. John Mitchell Add to this record.   Pte. John Gray 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.26th July 1916) Private Gray is buried near the North boundary of the Muff Church of Ireland Churchyard, Muff, Co. Donegal, Ireland. S Flynn Add to this record.   L/Cpl. William Anderson 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.18th July 1916) Lance Corporal Anderson was the son of Joseph and Jane Anderson, of 12 Barrack St., Londonderry. He was 37 when he died and is buried in Grave VII. 8. in the Monreach Presbyterian Churchyard, Taughboyne, Co. Donegal, Ireland. S Flynn Add to this record.    James Simpson 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Jack Simpson transferred to the 2nd battalion in January 1918. He was severely wounded on 21st March 1918 in the last Battle of the Somme. Colin Add to this record.   Pte. William Campbell 10th Btn. The Derrys Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.11th August 1917) William Campbell went into action on 1st July 1916 at the Somme. He was wounded. He went into action again in Flanders on 11th August 1917 and was killed. His name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. Add to this record.   L/Cpl. James Miller 10th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers James Miller Joined the 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Aug 1915. He deployed to France on 5th Oct 1915 where he served with the Battalion. He was discharged on 15 Aug 1916, believed due to injuries (possibly from Gas - not confirmed). Add to this record.   Pte. Robert "Bobby" Taylor MID. 10th Btn. Inniskilling Fusiliers Robert Taylor joined in 1915 and spent the war in France and Belgium. He was at the Somme and Ypres and was wounded in the arm and taken Prisoner on 22nd March 1918 at St Quentin. He was imprissoned in Friedrichsfeld until the end of the war. Returning home after being discharged on 17th March 1919. Alan Bratton Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Ernest Hosier 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.29th March 1918) Ernest Hosier, relation of mine, has no known grave but is remembered at the Pozieres Memorial. He served with 21st Entrenching Battalion., late ‘D’ Company 10th Battalion., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Ernest was the son of Philip and Rose Hosier, of 5, Craddock St., Prince of Wales Rd., London; husband of Sadie J. Hosier, of Olphert Place, Coleraine, Co. Derry.He was 23 years old. We, unfortunately, have been unable to track any details of the area of Coleraine where he and his wife lived and have been unable to track any details relating to his wife Sadie and what happened to her since his death in action. Any help on this would be appreciated. Michael G E Bristow Add to this record.   Pte. George Madden 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.10th Aug 1917) George Madden, a Protestant, had signed the Ulster Covenant in September 1912, along with other members of his family. Five years later, George would pay the ultimate price for his loyalty and patriotism. He most probably was killed in the futile carnage of Third Ypres, aka Passchendaele. George is commemorated at St John's Parish church, Castlerock and at the Menin Gate War Memorial. George left behind a widow Martha, and four young children Bobby, Annie, Andrew, and George. Gary Watton Add to this record.   Pte. Thomas Wright 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Thomas Wright and his brother George joined the Derrys on the formation of the Ulster Division, Thomas had previously served with the 5th Iniskillings Kenny Allen Add to this record.   Pte. George Wright 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) Pte George Wright of the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916. His name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, Somme, France. He joined the Derrys on the formation of the Ulster Division with his brother Pte Thomas Wright formerly of the 5th Inniskillings. The following poem was returned to Londonderry by a wounded soldier and was written by one of the lads from the fountain. At the Field Hospital: Come closer Bill, old comrade. I’m glad to have you here, It does not seem to hard to die, when one we love is near. For as kids we played together,”shot marbles on the walls”, And as youths in the good old Brandywell, we used to kick the ball. You’ll tell them in the dear old town, old Derry on the Foyle, That the boys who drilled with “wooden” guns, were worthy of their soil. But you’ll hardly need to tell them, e’re now the world has heard, What the hardy sons of Ulster for their King and Country dared. How, when ordered from the trenches, by just that one word”GO”, With the war cry “No Surrender” they quickly found the foe. And onward dashed from trench to trench, as streams the rushing tide, The Fountain, Dark Lane, Rosemount and the lads from Waterside. Went onward, ever onward, their progress none could stay, They weren’t out goose-stepping nor singing Dolly’s Brae. But to clear the earth of those we hate- Lord how the Germans ran, They hadn’t time to wait and see, like at Omagh and Strabane. It may be someone blundered, the fault might have been our own, But when we reached Trench number 5, we found ourselves alone. Alone and unsupported, amidst a withering fire, Yet we held our winnings gamely, ‘til the order came “Retire”, I cannot, nor will any man, the story ever tell, How caught in that triangle, it seemed the mouth of hell, With comrades falling falling, we formed as on parade, “You’ll fight a rearguard action” was all our leaders said. And in that rearguard action Bill, I got the knockout blow, And now I’ve got to travel, the road that all must go. When lying faint, from loss of blood, I heard a brother’s call, “We cannot leave him here to die, where one goes, we all”. It was a chap from Monaghan, a loyal man and true, He swung me cross his shoulders, and said “I’ll see you through”, “Right matey”?, then another said, “where one goes, we all”. I’ll help you brother Ulsterman, I’m County Donegal. The Ulsters fought the rearguard, with many a hearty cheer, And the next thing I remember, I was being patched up here. But I know this efforts useless, I feel I’m going fast, I see the new day breaking , for me, t’will be the last. I’ll ne’er again sit on the wall, of an evening calm and cool, To watch the youngsters playing Tig, around First Derry School. I thought of Derry’s Walls Away, when joining in the fight, I said it was for Ulster, I wanted Right, Left, Right. So tell them in the dear old town, auld Derry on the Foyle, That the men who guarded Ireland’s shore, sleep ‘neath a foreign soil, And when the news of victory comes, and the Cathedral joybells ring, They’ll raise a stone for those who fell, for Country and for King. Published in The Derry Sentinel on Saturday 15th July 1916. What makes this poem so poignant is that the Typesetter on the Sentinel, and the man who no doubt set up the page for print, was none other than Thomas Wright, Father of Pte George Wright who died only 14 days before at the Somme. Kenny Allen Add to this record.   Pte. James Mckee 10th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers My Grandfather James McKee was Private 40652, 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Formally 2090 North Irish Horse), he was badly wounded Passchendaele in August 1917, suffering wounds to his neck and waist. On release from hospital he was transferred to The Royal Army Service Corps, Horse transport section. David Hawthorne Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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