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36th (Ulster) Division  Divisional History  The 36th (Ulster) Division in 1914-1918 The history of 36th (Ulster) Division In September 1914, the Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force which raised thirteen battalions for the three Irish regiments based in Ulster: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rifles. A unique situation existed. This summary is from Ray Westlake’s "Kitchener’s Army" "It took several weeks after war was declared before permission to form an Ulster Division was granted. The Ulster Volunteer Force, a Protestant organisation created by Sir Edward Carson as a force to counter the threat of the Home Rule Bill, was already in existence and its members were as eager as any to join the war. However, due to the political situation in Ireland, things were held up. Many volunteers refused to wait and either crossed to England or Scotland to enlist, or joined the 10th or 16th Divisions already being formed by the War Office in Ireland. With over 80,000 members, it was clear that the UVF was in a position to make an important contribution to the recruitment of the New Armies. Lord Kitchener met with Sir Edward Carson in London who, although eager to help was concerned at how the situation in Ireland might turn while his force was away at war. The Government were not able to give any guarantees that might put Sir Edward’s mind at rest. However, he later agreed to raise a Division, without any conditions, and within days had placed an order for 10,000 uniforms with a London firm of outfitters." The UVF was not only organised but trained to some extent as a military force and had been armed. It was therefore considerably more advanced as a formed body of men than the similar formations of the New Armies now being created elsewhere. These battalions were clothed and administered by their raisers in the same way as the locally raised New Army battalions in Great Britain." 1914 August: Formed in Ireland as the Ulster Division, with Brigades numbered 1,2 and 3. On 28 August 1914, the Division and its Brigades adopted the titles shown on this page. 1915 July: the Division moved to Seaford on the Sussex coast of England. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division there on 27 July 1915, and later remarked to Carson "your Division of Ulstermen is the finest I have yet seen". Another inspection took place, by King George V, on 30 September 1915. 3-6 October: the Division moved to France, although the artillery remained in England until November. The Ulster Division initially concentrated in the area around Flesselles, some ten miles north of Arras. Gradually, men were sent in groups for familiarisation with trench warfare conditions and were attached to the Regular Army 4th Division for the purpose in the (at this time) quiet area north of the River Ancre near Albert. On 21 October the Division was moved away from the fighting area towards Abbeville, where it spent most of the winter of 1915-16 continuing training. One of the Brigades was attached to 4th Division for several weeks at this time and the artillery finally rejoined. 1916 The whole Division finally took over a complete section of the front line on 7 February, between the River Ancre and the Mailly-Maillet to Serre road. Division HQ was at Acheux. In the first week of March, the Division extended its front, the 109th Brigade taking over the sector south of the Ancre, known by the name of Thiepval Wood. The Division remained in the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements The Battle of Albert in which the Division attacked at the Schwaben Redoubt near Thiepval. This was part of the Battle of the Somme 1916. The ground over which the Ulstermen attacked on 1 July. Their front line skirted the northern edge of Thiepval wood, facing a gentle upward slope toward the Schwaben Redoubt, a defensive complex in the second main German trench system north of Thiepval. The Division was relieved on 2 July, having suffered 5104 casualties of who approximately 2069 died. 1917 The Battle of Messines, in which the Division captured Wytschaete The Battle of Langemarck part of the Third Battles of Ypres 1917 The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood 1918 The Division was substantially reorganised in February 1918. Battle of St Quentin On 21 March 1918 the Division was holding a sector of the British front line and Forward Zone south west of St Quentin. The main defences consisted of a number of isolated redoubts, in which the Ulstermen held on for several hours while under bombardment and ultimately being surrounded and cut off. The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme 1918 The Battle of Rosieres - Somme 1918 The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders The action of Ooteghem - Final Advance in Flanders On 11 November the Division was at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing. It remained there throughout the period of demobilisation. It ceased to exist on 29 June 1919. The Great War cost the 36th (Ulster) Division 32186 men killed, wounded or missing. The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 36th (Ulster) Division 107th Brigade This brigade was attached to 4th Division for instructional purposes between 5 November 1915 and 3 February 1916 8th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (East Belfast) renamed as 8/9th from August 1917 and disbanded 7 February 1918 9th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast) merged into 9th Bn from August 1917 10th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast) disbanded 20 February 1918 15th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast) 107th Machine Gun Company joined 18 December 1915, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918 107th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined August 1917, left for 108th Brigade February 1918 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined February 1918 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined February 1918 108th Brigade 11th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim) renamed as 11/13th from 13 November 1917 and disbanded 18 February 1918 12th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim) 13th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (County Down) merged into 11th Bn on 13 November 1917 9th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (County Armagh) 108th Machine Gun Company joined 26 January 1916, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918 108th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916 7th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined October 1917, merged into 2nd Bn November 1917 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined November 1917, left February 1918 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined from 107th Brigade February 1918 109th Brigade 9th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (County Tyrone) 10th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry) disbanded January 1918 11th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal and Fermanagh) disbanded February 1918 14th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizens) disbanded February 1918 109th Machine Gun Company joined 23 January 1916, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918 109th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916 1st Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined February 1918 2nd Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined February 1918 12th Brigade This brigade was attached from 4th Division in exchange for 107th Brigade between 4 November 1915 and 3 February 1916 Divisional Troops 16th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (County Down Pioneers) Divisional Pioneer Battalion 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined August 1917, left for 107th Brigade same month 266th Machine Gun Company joined 17 January 1918, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918 36th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918 Divisional Mounted Troops Service Sqn, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons left June 1916 36th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps broken up 31 May 1916 Divisional Artillery The original artillery of 36th (Ulster) Division, shown below, did not accompany the Division to France in November 1915, but rejoined it there in December. The artillery of the 56th (1st London) Division moved to France with 36th (Ulster) Division and remained under command until 12 December 1915. CLIII Brigade, RFA CLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up late September 1916 CLXXII Brigade, RFA broken up 31 January 1917 CLXXIII Brigade, RFA 36 Heavy Battery RGA raised with that Division but broken up while still at home 36th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA V.36 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 20 June 1916; disbanded 11 February 1918 X.36, Y.36 and Z.36 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 1 June 1916; on 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 121st Field Company 122nd Field Company 150th Field Company 36th Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 108th Field Ambulance 109th Field Ambulance 110th Field Ambulance 76th Sanitary Section left April 1917 Other Divisional Troops 36th Divisional Train ASC 251, 252, 253 and 254 Companies. 48th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 233rd Divisional Employment Company joined 21 July 1917 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded April 1916   1st September 1914 Recruitment of 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles  16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). [Second County Down Volunteers] Introduction: This summary of the history of the 16th Battalion from September 1914 to May 1919, is recorded mainly on a monthly basis with events listed on the 1st day of each month except in circumstances requiring further breakdown when details of other dates entered will be listed on the 1st of each month as a guide to the reader. The actual War Diaries did not commence until the move to France in October 1915. Since I do not have direct access to the diaries, I have, by kind permission of the Somme Heritage Centre, used extracts from the book "The Terrors" by Lt.Col SN White (deceased)as the source. Formation: At the outbreak of war in 1914 the Home Rule Issue in Ireland had a considerable effect on volunteer recruitment. The Ulster Volunteer Force had over 80,000 armed volunteers in its ranks, but there was a reluctance to enlist due to the Home Rule concerns which existed at the time. It was thought that resistance to Home Rule would be weakened by reducing the force available should armed opposition prove necessary. The issue was eventually set aside for the duration of the war and it was then agreed between Lord Kitchener and Sir Edward Carson that 10,000 volunteers would be raised in the war effort with uniforms and equipment ordered for that number. Home Rule meant a parliament in Dublin at which Ulster Protestants felt they would be outnumbered and they might eventually finish up as a minority in a Catholic State separate from the United Kingdom. Doran Family 1st October 1914 Recruitment of First County Down Volunteer  16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. The First County Down Volunteer call was to mobilise existing Militia and Ulster Volunteer Force members into what was to become the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles which assembled at the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor, County Down for military training alongside other units of the Ulster Division. 1300 men from County Down were recruited in this initial call. However many of the UVF did not respond because of the perceived need to defend Ulster against Home Rule. On the 20th October plans were agreed to raise a unit separate to the Ulster Division, but it was to be a Service Battalion directly at the disposal of the GOC, Ulster Division and not a reserve battalion used merely to supply trained men as reinforcements for regular battalions. The Ulster Division, later called the 36th (Ulster) Division, consisted of three Brigades and other supporting elements including Artillery units, Medical units and 2 Companies of Royal Engineers under the command of a Chief Engineer (CRE), the standard model for divisions in the British Army at the time. Division Formation. 107th Brigade. 15th (Service) Battalion (North Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles. 8th (Service) Battalion (East Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles. 9th (Service) Battalion (West Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles. 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles (until February 1918). 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from August 1917 until February 1918). 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918). 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918). 107th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 18 December 1915, moved into 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918). 107th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916). In August 1917 the 8th and 9th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 8/9th Battalion, which disbanded in February 1918. Between November 1915 and February 1916 the brigade swapped with the 12th Brigade from the 4th Division. 108th Brigade. 9th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 12th (Service) Battalion (Central Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles. 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from November 1917 then moved to 107th Brigade. in February 1918). 11th (Service) Battalion (South Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles. 13th (Service) Battalion (County Down), the Royal Irish Rifles. 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from 107th Bde. February 1918). 108th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 26 January 1916, moved into 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918). 108th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916). In August 1917 the 11th and 13th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 11/13th Battalion, which disbanded in February 1918. 109th Brigade. 9th (Service) Battalion (County Tyrone), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded January 1918). 11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded February 1918). 14th (Service) Battalion (Young Citizens), the Royal Irish Rifles (disbanded February 1918). 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918). 2nd Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918). 109th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 23 January 1916, moved into 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918). 109th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916). Doran Family 1st November 1914 Pioneering Work   Typical Trench System Layout (Not to scale) 16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers)' Reader guidance note:There are entries on 2,3,4,5 and 6th November 1914. Trench Warfare in WW1. After the initial assault by Germany was finally halted, the remainder of the war was fought from entrenched positions on both sides. Basically the two Front Line trenches faced each other from varying distances. They were not in straight lines as firing along the trench by the enemy would have had catastrophic consequences, rather in zigzag formations making a continuous line to adjoining defences - either a physical barrier or a neighbouring military unit. So for years the trench positions continuously changed hands as battles were won or lost. In particularly bad weather this led to virtual seas of mud in what was termed "No Man’s Land" from the combination of weather and artillery shells. Behind the Front Line trench were supporting trenches similarly fashioned and linked by communication trenches. Dugouts to provide safe shelter were provided in strategic areas together with strong points such as machine gun and mortar emplacements. Trenches were further protected by Wiring in front. This was basically lines of barbed wire to hold back attacking forces. Trenches were initially dug to existing old military manuals, but from early experience were found to be too shallow and too narrow for the rapid movement of supplies and equipment, so a lot of work would be needed in widening and deepening the earlier trenches. Other trench works included: Revetment, which is lining the sides of a trench with padding materials ( to help protect from back-blast from exploding shells) which could be sandbags, timber or earthworks and in some cases concrete. This also included firing steps and duckboards to facilitate drainage. Dugouts as the name suggest are deep enclosures providing some degree of safety during bombardments. Saps, these were smaller trenches dug from the Front Line towards the enemy’s front lines. They were used as listening posts or for locating a machine gun or mortar and could also provide a jumping off point for an attack. Other Structures: Craters and Camouflet - Another tactic employed was the use of explosives underground to either blow up the enemy trench positions themselves (mines) or disturb ground in no-man’s land exposing craters which could be connected up to their own front line, bringing them closer to the enemy’s front line. Sometimes the explosion would result in an underground cavern (called a Camouflet) which could be worked on under cover from enemy observation and often an initial start to Sapping itself as the surface could be quickly collapsed leaving the Sap ready for use. Screening - This was simply erecting simple screens alongside roads and other locations which needed to be kept out of sight from the enemy, usually when the enemy occupied higher ground overlooking support and communication rear areas. This was to minimise observation opportunities for snipers or artillery observers. Pioneer support work in attack or defence: During an offensive operation the Pioneers would have to turn around the firing positions in captured trenches provided the gains were held. They would also have to join up their former front line with the captured trenches by new communication trenches often using their own saps as starting points closer to the former enemy trenches. The reverse was also true and if their lines were overrun they would have prepared previous positions for troops to fall back on and if given sufficient time try to render the lost trenches virtually useless to the enemy. Road works. Naturally a huge logistic problem was supply of Ammunition, rations and equipment which had to be got to the Front Line troop positions. Roads had to be drained in bad weather, repaired when damaged by explosives, flooding and heavy traffic. Railways. Main line railways were vital to forward movement of bulk material, equipment, men and animals over longer distances. However there were also some light, narrow gauge - systems and trench railways. Equipment would be transported by main line railway to large depots from which it would be forwarded by road or smaller gauge light railways closer to the front. It would then be brought through the communication trenches manually or using the trench tramways to the front itself. The trench railways or tramways involved hauling trolleys through communication trenches to keep the front lines supplied and remove salvage and waste materials on return journeys. They were operated by a party of 6 to 8 men per trolley. It was also used to return casualties to rear areas for treatment. This was the main reason for the extensive programme of trench widening and deepening so that men and trolleys could move freely on tracks out of sight from the enemy though still in danger from enemy artillery if targeted. Doran Family 2nd November 1914 Recruitment of 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles    Brownlow House A second call to arms was published in all County Down Newspapers on Saturday the 7th November 1914, exhorting all able bodied men wishing to enlist to go to their local railway stations on Monday 9th November, where they would be issued by local UVF Company Commanders with free rail tickets to Lurgan. On arrival in Lurgan, they should then report to Brownlow House for enlistment in the new volunteer Service Battalion. Initially called the Second County Down Battalion, it later took on its official title of the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). The Battalion adopted the renowned "South Down Militia" as their marching song changing the words as follows: "You may talk about th’Irish Guards and Fusiliers of course You may talk of Inniskillings and the gallant Irish Horse Or of any other regiment under the King’s command But the 16th Irish Rifles are the Terrors of the Land." From which derived their nickname as "The Terrors". The Battalion strength was to be 1139 all ranks and it was to be a separate unit to support the three brigades in the 36th Ulster Division. This was indeed an early clue as to its specialist role as Pioneers. They were commanded by Major Leader who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel prior to the move to France. He proved to be a very able leader of his battalion. It was to be organised on the lines of 4 companies of 230 all ranks each, a Headquarters unit of 79 all ranks and a Machine gun section of 35 all ranks. Headquarters could be split into three sections namely Operational Headquarters, Quartermasters and the Transport Section. An additional 50 was later added to Battalion establishment to bring overall strength target to about 1200. Other key appointments were Sir William Allen, well known in Lurgan as a local Justice of the Peace and a highly placed member of the Orange Order, who was initially appointed as Adjutant and Second- in-Command of the Battalion. The Quartermaster was Honorary Lieutenant A. Forsyth, who had been a sergeant-major with the Antrim Artillery in Carrickfergus and was promoted for this position. Other Officers and senior NCOs were appointed as they became available including the author’s father - 2/Lt. WR White. With accommodation and equipment being prepared and assembled at Brownlow House, these and other early appointees were ready to equip and train the awaited recruits. Recruitment., November 1914 to June 1915. Recruitment was slow and 250 men were transferred in December from Clandeboye Camp. A series of public meetings were held at which pressure was applied by speakers to encourage or indeed shame men into enlisting to help their compatriots at the Front. Uptake was still quite slow and by the end of January 1915, numbers were about 350 below strength. A series of marches throughout the county by a contingent of 150 officers and men during February helped boost the intake. Other measures were regular inspections by well-known public figures, to which the public were invited as spectators. Despite all these measures the battalion was still short of their 1200 all ranks target in mid-June, so 200 members of the Belfast Young Citizen Volunteers were transferred leaving a full strength of about 1200 prior to the move to England. Training objectives/ The rigorous task of physical training began in Lurgan and the surrounding areas. A lot of this was in the form of route marches and competitive sports. It then progressed to tactical manoeuvres and mock assaults and defences. This brought the unit to battle readiness as fighting troops with the exception of musketry and machine gun training which because of the lack of live ammunition was to be carried out in England. Doran Family 3rd November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches   Cross-section of trenches 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Trenches were typically constructed to provide shelter for forward troops and fell into two general categories. Fire Trenches as the name suggests were trenches from which the enemy could be engaged in offensive or defensive actions (see cross section in diagram). Communication Trenches were the means by which men and equipment could move in relative safety to and from the Forward (Fire) Trenches.(see cross section in diagram). Doran Family 4th November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches   16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneering Work in the Trenches. Trench Revetment or Revetting is basically the fitting out of the basic trench. The construction depends largely on the geology of the region and the type of ground encountered. Much depends on the surrounding water table levels. Where water is encountered close to the surface trenches can only be dug to a shallow depth and protection is enabled by building up earthworks, sandbags or even concrete parapets above ground level. This was the problem in Flanders (The Low Country Regions). In other areas trenches were mainly below ground level up to about 8 feet deep to allow men to walk about out of view from enemy snipers and artillery observers. Communication trenches mainly required lining with sandbags, timber or concrete to protect against the back-blast from exploding shells. Fire trenches were more complicated with fire steps needed to get men into firing positions in the event of an enemy attack or help get them out of the trench if they are attacking. The back of the trench was lined to minimise damage from explosives. In areas where water ingress was a problem upright timber inverted A-frames were used at intervals to lay duck-boarding leaving a void below the walkway to maintain relatively dry underfoot conditions for movement through the trenches. (see diagram for cross-sections of revetment work.) Doran Family 5th November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches   16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) - Trench Wiring Work. A vital tactic to deter enemy attacks was the positioning of rows of Barbed Wire around the top of the trenches. It was merely a small deterrent as it was vulnerable to artillery fire with batteries engaging in "Wire Cutting" either to disrupt enemy work or to clear a way through for assault purposes. The amount of equipment needed presented many a challenge to the Pioneers particularly during attacks and modifications needed if the infantry managed to hold new forward positions, involving a thousand or more yards of wiring overnight in areas targeted by enemy artillery. A typical 1000 yards of fencing needed: 400 long pickets 800 short pickets 180 coils of barbed wire (65 yards each) 40 coils of barbed wire (130 yards each) This could be erected by a company of men in about an hour, but the time and effort to get it to the new position and laid out for installation is enormous. Pickets were screwed into the ground as the work had to be carried out in near silence at night so as not to alert the enemy. Doran Family 6th November 1914 Pioneering work - screening   Pioneering - Screening Work 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) - Screening Work. As the title suggests the object of this work was to disrupt the enemy's line of vision if they occupied higher ground. This was very much the case in Flanders near Mount Kemmel and in preparation for the Battle of Messines Ridge. From the Ridge the Germans had a commanding view of both Front and Rear Allied positions and it was essential to hide the meticulous build up for the Allied attack. So all roads and important locations had to have screens installed on the enemy side to conceal troop and equipment movements. Screens were made from light equipment, wooden poles and mainly hessian materials to a height sufficient to obscure the enemy's view of traffic on roads, movement in and out of buildings and movement of men and equipment in the assembly, communication and assault trenches. Doran Family 23rd of November 1914 Reorganisation 1st December 1914 Recruitment and Training  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles. Recruitment efforts continued and helped raise Battalion strength from 230 at the end of November to 500 by the 19th December 1914. Training began to bring recruits up to the physical requirements for battle fitness with physical exercise and route marches of increasing intensity. A large batch of service rifles arrived on the 19th December which meant that military weaponry drill could be incorporated within the training timetable. Route marches got longer and, on the 7th December, the men marched to Banbridge and back (16 miles) in 3 ½ Hours. Initially training would have concentrated on infantry skills including drill, musketry, bayonet fighting and training in the Lewis and machine guns. Route marches and PT (Physical Training) would also have featured. Selected Officers and NCOs on appointment were sent to infantry training schools to become instructors in these fields. A rifle range was constructed at the rear of Brownlow House. The pioneers were basically riflemen and in the Royal Irish Rifles had to learn to drill at "rifles pace" which was 160 paces to the minute as opposed to the normal infantry rate of 120 paces to the minute. Field-craft with elementary infantry tactics at section, platoon and company level were gradually introduced as potential section leaders were identified, trained and gained in confidence and experience. Doran Family 19th January 1915 Recruitment and Training 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles   Parade at Brownlow House, Lurgan. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment continued making slow progress with numbers reaching 800 all ranks by the 19th January 1915. Training continued in various stages as more recruits joined and had to work hard to catch up with the standard of earlier enlisted ranks. There was little sympathy for newer recruits who had to catch up with the others. The young animal must keep up with the herd in migration or else - so time was not on their side. Early in January it was announced that the 2nd County Down Volunteers were to become the Pioneer Battalion for the Ulster Division. Training in pioneering skills was to commence while maintaining physical fitness and military discipline. There was now more concentration on manoeuvres at both day and night trying to gain experience in mock attacks and defence methods before the real battles ahead. That would have left the battalion ready for normal action but this was not a normal battalion. Alongside this training they now had to learn the skills of the pioneer which involved all aspects of transportation in offensive and defensive positions including river crossings. Afternoon classes taught joinery and other skills for battle planning. Sections were sent by rotation to work on local roads, railways and buildings all of which they would have to service under enemy fire in the front line areas in France and Belgium. In recognition of their additional duties they were to be paid an extra 2 pence a day on top of the infantry rate of one shilling per day. It was later raised in parliament that this compared unfavourably with the Royal Engineers who received 1/10d per day and the Labour Corps which received 3 shillings per day. Even though it was like work the government refused to interfere with what it termed as set army rates of pay. An article entitled trench warfare has been included in November 1914 pages which, with relevant sketches, details the type of construction carried out with some description of offensive and defensive related works. (These appear in the date range 1st to 6th November 1914.) So the 16th were a very special unit indeed as we shall see from their performance up to and after the cessation of hostilities in 1918. On the 12th January 21 horses arrived and the Transport Officer got to work on his teams for transporting equipment necessary to support the men in their work locations. Certain officers were also required to have mounts to fulfil their command roles. Railway Training. On the 21st January 4 Officers (including 2/Lt. White WR, the author's father) and 50 men were sent to Belfast, Carrickfergus and Antrim to receive instruction on Railroad Construction. A similar party of 4 officers and 39 men were sent to Newtownards for pioneer railway work. It seems likely that Antrim had a Royal Engineer Field Unit which would have helped considerably in the training. Doran Family 1st February 1915 Recruitment and Training   16 RIR parade in Lurgan, County Armagh. 16th Btn Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment tour of County Down. In order to try and boost intake a recruitment tour of County Down was organised, starting on the 15th February and ending on the 27th February, with 150 Officers and men under the command of Major Gardiner and including the newly formed pipe band. It was followed by 2 horse drawn wagons and a horse drawn field ambulance unit. The schedule was as follows: February 15 Dromore 16 Ballynahinch 17 Dromara 18 Saintfield and Crossgar 19 Downpatrick 20 Clough, Seaforde and back to Downpatrick 21 Downpatrick 22 Comber via Killyleagh and Killinchy 23 Donaghadee via Newtownards 25 Comber via Bangor 26 Hillsborough 27 Lurgan via the Maze, Moira and Maralin. In each location a marching display would be followed by meetings and speeches after which the troops would be fed, entertained and accommodation provided by locals. The success of this recruiting march is difficult to assess as the strength figures were reported less frequently. Training. Interspersed with infantry training, the emphasis now switched to pioneering skills in trench, road and railroad construction Trench works. Trenches were constructed in readily available countryside locations and used to replicate known offensive and defensive methods. It was hard manual work as there were no mechanical machines. So, as practice, 5 foot deep by 1 ½ foot wide trenches were literally dug out by pickaxe, shovel and hands, hard labour by any standards in a peaceful country environment. How much more difficult it must have been in hard ground or muddy conditions, good and bad weather, with hostile fire from sniper, machine gun or artillery and with much deeper and wider dimensions. Wiring techniques were also taught in conjunction with the trench layouts. It is doubtful that full fitting out of trenches took place as materials were in short supply. (Revetment or revetting). Road works. On the 8th February 2 officers and 50 other ranks left for Keady where they assisted County Council men in constructing a new roadway at Drumderg nearby. They returned on the 17th and Armagh County Council donated £10 towards comforts for the men in appreciation of their work. Work was also carried out at the rear entrance to Brownlow House, widening the Avenue Road and constructing a new walkway in the park. Railway Training Again 4 officers and 50 other ranks left on the 3rd February for Skerries, Co Dublin for instruction in pioneer railway work. Doran Family 6th Feb 1915 Illness Feb 1915 Inspection 1st March 1915 Recruitment and Training   Bridging Training near Lurgan, County Armagh. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment figures were not published for March 1915. Recruitment efforts were mainly concentrated on Brownlow House as a showpiece for many inspections by high ranking officers and politicians, the public also in attendance. Training. Much more intensive military manoeuvres took place by night and day increasing the demands on all officers and men to harden them for future demands on active service. Trench works. During the week ending 20th March the Battalion carried out several very interesting operations including day and night outpost schemes with trench digging and sapping by night. Sapping is cutting out trenches from the front line forward towards the enemy trenches, used for listening posts, mortars, machine guns or jump off points for attacks. Road works. Work continued on projects with local councils alongside council workers in County Armagh and County Down. Railway works. A great deal of railway training was undertaken in March. On the 21st March 3 Officers and 7 NCOs were sent to Crumlin, where a railway bridge was being erected. Other works were carried out on the rail lines near Antrim, on the Lurgan to Moira railway line and a course was attended at Stewartstown. Bridging. While it is not recorded what types of bridging works were done, we can assume they had to construct bridges capable of taking Divisional Horse drawn transport including artillery pieces. There were various exercises carried out on lakes in local parks and bridge building on the Lagan near Donacloney and Dynes Bridge. Barrel rafts capable of supporting wagons and artillery pieces were constructed. Demolition. Training in explosive and demolitions was limited from a practical point of safety and shortage of materials. Demonstration of grenades, land mines and the use of gun cotton on rocks and metal were done with reduced charges leaving the observers to imagine the effects of a full charge. They were also introduced to jam pot type grenades and the use of warning flares including methods of firing; trip wire, cut wire and pull by defender. Other examples included explosive traps already experienced in early fighting at the Front. General Field Training. There is no evidence to suggest that any form of formalised field training was available prior to leaving Lurgan and that progress in this area would be based on ad hoc solutions devised in training exercises or live situations. There is evidence of training courses being held at Reading in Berkshire. Doran Family 1st April 1915 Recruitment and Training   Bridge training work near Lurgan County Armagh 16th Btn Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Major Leader was promoted to Lt.Colonel. Recruitment resulted in Battalion strength of 971 on the 17th April 1915. Other houses in Wellington Street were acquired for accommodation purposes as Brownlow House capacity was reached. Training continued in areas demanding greater stamina in general field-craft exercises involving units in offensive and defensive roles. This included some larger scale exercises with the Ulster Division as a whole. The whole Battalion took part in route march to Portadown on the 3rd April. Road Works. Continuing work in County and District areas including drainage and sewer systems together with building and construction works. Railway Work 2 officers and 20 other ranks helped the Great Northern Railway when a stretch of about a mile of track was re-laid between Dromore and Hillsborough. 3rd April - 2 officers and 5 men went to Stewartstown for a Railway Engineers Course. 10th April - attended railway bridges installations at Adelaide and Windsor. 17th April, 2 officers and 18 men sent to Crumlin for railway bridge building. Doran Family 1st April 1915 Illness 3rd April 1915 Funeral 1st May 1915 Recruitment and Training   Belfast Parade 36th Ulster Division - 8th May 1915 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) Recruitment figures not published and Training continued to improve both infantry and trade efficiency. 150 men took part in preparation of the ground for the Grand Parade by the Ulster Division in Belfast on the 8th May 1915. The 36th (Ulster) Division was drawn up at noon on the 8th May in review order at Belfast, between the Lagan and Malone, for inspection by Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont and then marched into Belfast where the salute was taken again by Sir Hugh, The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Sir Edward and Lady Carson, Sir George and Lady Richardson and the City High Sheriff with his wife at the City Hall. The 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) brought up at the rear of the column. They travelled to and from Belfast by special train from Lurgan. Doran Family 1st June 1915 Recruitment and Training   16 RIR Departing from Lurgan enroute to England. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Recruitment was brought up to the required total by the transfer of 200 members of the Belfast Young Citizen Volunteers. Training was nearly complete and preparations were in hand for the move to England. Officers and men were sent to Belfast and Dublin for courses on Railway Transport and Embarkation obviously with a view to organising the Battalion’s planned movements which would include both rail and ship embarkation and disembarkation. All the men were given 4 days embarkation leave and returned fit and ready for the move to England. A Military Gymkhana was held in Lurgan with over 25 events many of which were novelties giving great amusement to all onlookers. Doran Family 1st July 1915 Relocations   Twelfth July celebrations at Seaford County Sussex. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The Move to England. This was well reported in the Lurgan Mail issue on the 10th July 1915 which read: "The secret about the move on Sunday night 27th June leaked out that the first contingent was to move off on the following morning and early on Monday everyone was alert. There was much stir and bustle at the barracks, but it was not until half past two o’clock p.m. that a move was made. At that hour preceded by both bands of the battalion, 170 of the riflemen swung round Windsor Avenue corner into Market Street and proceeded to the Railway Station in command of Captain Jewell and several Lieutenants. Soon the streets were crowded, the route to the station being lined by friends and admirers, and many were the leave takings as the men passed by, many were the greetings and good wishes shouted to them. The public were wisely excluded from the station premises, but the footbridge and every vantage point was crowded. The leave taking on the platform over, the men quickly entrained and the train departed southward amid salvos of cheers from the onlookers. The destination was understood to be Dublin but it has since transpired that the party proceeded the same evening to Liverpool en route for the Seaford Camp. The next move was made on Tuesday, when the Transport section with their horses, mules and equipment, and in command of Lieutenants White (TJ) and Johnston proceeded by road to Belfast en route, via Liverpool, for the new camp. Wednesday evening following saw a grand parade of the remaining men of the Battalion with their several officers, through the principal streets of the town, as the farewell march of the regiment in the district, and on Thursday afternoon the entire remaining force moved out in two sections, the first being in command of Colonel Leader and the second of Major Gardiner, two trains being required for their accommodation. The farewell demonstration of Monday was repeated, but on a scale of greater magnitude. All work was temporarily suspended in the town and district, and the line of march from Windsor Avenue to the railway station was crowded with a dense throng. The same arrangements were in force at the station and the entraining was carried out with expedition. Then came the last goodbye of those privileged few who had gained access to the platform and each train was followed by the cheers and kindly wishes of the onlookers" Seaford, County Sussex. Finally they were on their way to the south of England and the small town of Seaford in Sussex (not to be confused with Seaforde, County Down, spelt with an ‘e’ at the end!). Seaford had a population of about 4,000 at that time. For the first time apart from the review and march past in Belfast, the 36th Division was concentrated in one place. It was within walking distance of Brighton with its shops and attractions. Only 20 miles away across the English Channel was the coast of France and, when the wind was blowing in the right direction, the sound of heavy artillery fire could be heard. The Division was accommodated in the North and South Camps with the Pioneers in the latter. To the north of the camps was the Downs whose rolling valleys and hills provided an excellent area for military training. The first priority was musketry training which was carried out at a range close to the camp at Cuckmere Haven. The River Cuckmere provided a good site for bridging practice within a quarter of a mile from its entry to the sea. The Pioneers had to contend with a lack of proper equipment and the ebb and flow of the tide. Despite the urgency for battle readiness they were able to celebrate the 12th July with a parade, entertainment and guests from home. Several inspections took place early in July and on the 20th Lord Kitchener paid a surprise visit. The unit impressed Lord Kitchener who thought them very smart and ready for action, but it was pointed out they had not yet had musketry and machine gun training. He ordered this to be prioritised and it was partially completed at nearby ranges beside Cuckmere Haven. Lurgan Mail Jul 1915 Training Instruction Jul 1915 Billets 1st August 1915 Training and recreation  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The Downs were fully utilised for Divisional training exercises with the Pioneers acting as the enemy in day and night exercises of increasing intensity. Sport and training courses were also intensified in final preparation for the move to the Front. There was a meeting of the Pioneer’s Masonic Lodge No. 420 which had been granted a travelling warrant at its inaugural constitution in Lurgan Masonic Hall. There was also a visit by Sir Edward and Lady Carson on the 3rd August at which everything was declared to be in good order. The Battalion’s stay on the Downs came to an end as an advance party moved to Borden on the 31st August and an advance Divisional Command Group including General Nugent and Colonel Leader paid a short familiarisation visit to France. Lurgan Mail 1st September 1915 Training and move preparations  16th Btn.Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The comfort and scenic stay near the Downs and Sussex villages came to a close at the end of August when the whole 36th Division moved to Bordon and Bramshott . This was mainly to allow the Division the use of numerous ranges in the area to complete their weapon training with live ammunition including bombing, mortars, Lewis and machine guns. During the month most men got 4 days home leave and all returned to the battalion fit and ready for action. Colonel Leader, back from his visit to France, was pleased to note that the Battalion’s training had covered most of the requirements for active service. Finally most of the "comforts" gathered from friends at home, were distributed to the men for the winter season ahead. So the Battalion consisting of Headquarters and four companies was now ready for the move to France, there to be tested in extreme conditions, in which their training and sense of comradeship would enable them to maintain their discipline and military bearing over a lengthy and arduous campaign. Doran Family 15th of September 1915 36th Division Instructed   1st October 1915 Relocations  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The Move to France. On the 1st October at 1900 the Battalion left camp at Bordon for embarkation at Southampton but on arrival no one knew anything about it and there was no transport awaiting them. This proved quite a common problem over the next month or so. They had to eat their rations while further food was sought for them and spend an uncomfortable night sleeping at the docks. Next day the Empress Queen arrived to take them across the channel. The ship was licensed to carry 600 passengers between Greenwich and London Bridge whereas the battalion was over 1000 strong and the vessel was crossing the English Channel not plying between points in the River Thames. Despite a gale blowing they crossed safely and arrived in Le Havre. Once again no one knew anything about the unit but it was eventually sent to tented accommodation and a hot meal organised and the men had to dig trenches around their tents as it was raining. Despite an order to move to entrain for the front Colonel Leader insisted the men had their hot meal first. On arrival at the station it was no surprise that no one was expecting them, but eventually Colonel Leader was informed of an incoming train which would be put at their disposal. Again the CO got his men to a Red Cross canteen and fed before boarding the train. Apparently there was a bit of a commotion at the Red Cross Unit as it was run by Miss Lloyd George, daughter of the Prime Minister (the Home Rule instigator) and the men preferred to go hungry rather than give her any business. So they were directed to the girl serving on the other side of the station "same firm but you needn’t tell them that", was the advice given and the men got their meal. At 1000 on the 4th October the train left on a 130km journey to Longueau on the outskirts of Amiens, arriving at 1900. As usual they were unexpected and there was no information regarding their destination. Fortunately the CO met an officer from the Division who gave him general directions to Villers Bocage on the Amiens-Doullens Road. They marched on, passing through Amiens, and arrived at their destination around midnight. The war diaries do not reveal any more details of the journey but they must have met a divisional advance party and perhaps one of their own battalion representative possibly one for each of the 4 companies, Headquarters and Transport. They spent the next 7 days (4th to 11th October) in this village giving them a chance to settle after their journey. They were assigned light carpentry work and built a road for the Casualty Clearing Station. A Church Service on Sunday 10th October was conducted by Captain A Gibson, appointed by his church in Lurgan as officiating chaplain to the Battalion and who was now billeted with them, but also attended to some other units. The remainder of the time must have been spent sorting out their tools and equipment together with loads for their pack mules and other transport arrangements for their future operations. The sound of gunfire was never far away and indeed the village had already been overrun and occupied by the Germans in the initial onslaught before the establishment of trench warfare brought it back under Allied control. The campaign was soon to start and on 12th October the Battalion marched about 8 miles to be based at Raincheval and camped there to work on an army defence line in that area. This was about 7 miles from the firing line and was in a shocking sanitary state having been taken over from the French. The village was in a low lying hollow and the men were billeted in barns and other surrounding buildings with an ample supply of straw underfoot. Such was the progress of the pioneer’s work that on 1st November the Battalion regimental canteen, library and reading room were opened. The Officers Mess and Battalion Headquarters were seemingly located in Raincheval Chateau. The 20th October marked the first anniversary of the founding of the Battalion and was celebrated by a smoking concert at headquarters and smaller events in other detachments. RSM J Gordon sent a very detailed report on the central event to the Lurgan Mail. On the 21st October the unit was inspected by the Second Army Sanitary Officer and although the war diary does not record his report, again RSM Gordon writing to the Lurgan Mail recorded that "he made a most complimentary report on the sanitation and added that our work should serve as a pattern to the rest of the army". Thus we begin to see evidence of the professionalism and pride in their work by this exceptionally fine Battalion. Third Army Defence Line 14th October 1915 to 28th December 1915 The Battalion was now tasked with work on the Third Army Defence Line which initially covered a length of about 3,600 yards extending from a position south east of Toutencourt to Creftel Wood. Half the Battalion under the command of Major Bowen was moved to Toutencourt to cover work in the area of the Raincheval to Vauchelles Road. It was very hard work and an 8 hour day would have exhausted the strongest of men. It must be noted that they had no excavating or levelling machines so everything was done by hand with manual tools. The ground consisted of heavy clay for a few yards then sand, limestone and chalk. Work continued every day in the week except for the odd half day for the very important tasks of washing clothes and bathing. At the same time No 2 Company under the command of Captain SJ Platt was sent to Vignacourt about 5 miles west of Villers Bocage to cut down forest and prepare various timber components for use in the construction of earthwork defences by the rest of the Battalion. Further sites were allocated on the 20th October. Small parties were attached in rota to the 8th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers who were also a pioneer battalion to give the officers and men experience of operations at the front under enemy fire. This gave them experience in erecting barbed wire defences, Wiring as it was termed. The Terrors by SN White 3rd of October 1915 Move 4th October 1915 Arrival in France 4th of October 1915 On the Move 4th Oct 1915 On the Move 5th October 1915 Onward Travel 5th of October 1915  5th Oct 1915 On the Move 6th October 1915 Cycle to Flesselles 6th October 1915 Cycle to Flesselles 6th of October 1915  7th of October 1915  8th of October 1915 Inspection 9th of October 1915  10th of October 1915  11th October 1915 Inspection by GOC 11th of October 1915 Trench Instruction 12th of October 1915 Instruction 12th Oct 1915 Arrival 13th of October 1915 First Casualties 14th of October 1915  14th Oct 1915 Entrenching   15th of October 1915  15th Oct 1915 Entrenching   16th of October 1915 Divisional Exercise 16th Oct 1915 Change of Billets   17th of October 1915  17th Oct 1915 Defence Work   18th of October 1915 Instruction 18th Oct 1915 Entrenching   19th of October 1915  19th Oct 1915 Entrenching   20th of October 1915 Moves 20th Oct 1915 Entrenching   21st October 1915 Move to new quarters 21st of October 1915 More Moves 21st Oct 1915 Entrenching   22nd Oct 1915 Entrenching   23rd of October 1915 French Take Over Front 23rd of October 1915  23rd Oct 1915 Entrenching   24th of October 1915  24th Oct 1915 Entrenching   25th of October 1915 Royal Inspection 25th Oct 1915 Defence Works   26th of October 1915 More Instruction 26th Oct 1915 Defence Works   27th of October 1915  27th Oct 1915 Defence Works   28th October 1915 Divisional tactical exercises 28th of October 1915  28th Oct 1915 Defence Works   29th of October 1915  29th Oct 1915 Defence Works   30th of October 1915  30th Oct 1915 Defence Works   31st of October 1915  31st Oct 1915 Defence Works   1st November 1915 Pioneering work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles A Royal Engineers Field Company was placed under the command of No 2 Company, possibly to operate a saw-mill and speed up the supply of timber components for the defence lines. Other work taken on by the Battalion made it necessary to attach a Royal Engineer Signalling Company to No 1 Company under Captain Shepperd to assist with overall communications. An inspection of work on the 22nd November resulted in further work responsibilities over another 8 miles of trenches in the direction of Toutencourt to Authie and reconstruction of rain damaged trenches near Arqueues. It was a bitterly cold winter but the work had to continue and the men were issued with sheepskin and goatskin coats (jerkins) which helped in the biting winds. They also built new stables for the transport animals which had to stand out at night. Snow fell on the 15th November followed by a thaw with melting snow and heavy rain making working conditions much more difficult. Unlike their comrades in the forward trenches the men could return to warm and dry billets at night. There was an inspection by the ADMS on the 18th November as concern mounted regarding the health of the men working in such difficult conditions. (Assistant Director of Medical Services). On Sunday 28th November the Battalion had a whole day off. It was a fine day and the roads were frost bound and easy for walking so visits to local villages took place in pleasant surroundings. The Terrors by SN White 1st November 1915 Routine work 1st of November 1915 Marching Orders 2nd of November 1915  3rd of November 1915 Moving to Billets   4th of November 1915 More Moves 6th of November 1915 Brigade Movements 7th of November 1915 Present Stations 8th of November 1915 RE Reliefs 9th of November 1915  10th of November 1915 Quiet 11th November 1915 Reinforcements 11th of November 1915  12th Nov 1915 In Comfortable Quarters 12th November 1915 Routine parades 12th of November 1915  13th of November 1915  14th November 1915 On the Move 14th of November 1915 Trench Instruction 15th November 1915 In the trenches 15th of November 1915 Further Trench Instruction 16th of November 1915  17th November 1915 Second Party to Trenches 17th of November 1915 36th Division joins 13th Army Corps 18th of November 1915 Orders 19th of November 1915  20th of November 1915 Quiet 21st November 1915 Final Party on Fatigues 21st of November 1915 Move 23rd of November 1915 Quiet 24th of November 1915 Arrival of Artillery Planned 25th of November 1915 Orders 26th of November 1915 Billets 27th November 1915 Court Martial Redress 27th of November 1915 Move 28th Nov 1915 With Old Pals 28th November 1915 Move 28th of November 1915 Moving to New Area 29th of November 1915 Moves Completed 30th of November 1915 Ulster Division Artillery Detrains 1st December 1915 Pioneering work - trenches  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Work continued on various defence areas with 3 Platoon, No 1 Company being sent to Flessells about 3 miles away, to build a large ammunition shed with a concrete base. They also laid 3 metalled roads to and from the site. Whilst the descriptions make it seem like all work and no play, there were a number of sporting activities that took place including rugby, hockey and soccer matches with neighbouring units. Once again reports on these activity were sent to the Lurgan Mail to help foster morale and boost ongoing recruitment at home in Ulster. Christmas Day 1915 started off dull and wet, but soon dried up and the sun put in a short appearance. A party was held for the local village children, which helped Entente Cordiale. In the evening both the Pipe Band and the Fife and Drum band performed to finish off the day with stirring tunes. The local priest was invited and must have been the first priest to meet a mainly Protestant Battalion. A few officers tried to converse with him in their limited French. During after-dinner revelry, he enjoyed listening to "The Protestant Boys" asking to hear it several times as it was a very lively tune. He made the fourth request in perfect English by mistake, everyone having wrongly assumed that he would not have understood the words of the song. Big changes were to follow soon unknown to the festive revellers. The Terrors by SN White 1st December 1915 Ongoing Logistics 1st of December 1915 Quiet 2nd of December 1915 Quiet 3rd of December 1915 154th RFA Detrains 4th of December 1915 154th RFA Detrains 5th of December 1915 Leaving and Joining 6th of December 1915 Quiet 7th of December 1915 Quiet 8th of December 1915 Quiet 9th of December 1915 Quiet 10th of December 1915 Quiet 11th of December 1915 Artillery Entrains 12th of December 1915 Entraining 13th of December 1915 Quiet 14th December 1915 Ongoing Logistics 14th of December 1915 Trench Mortar Batteries 15th of December 1915 Quiet 16th of December 1915  17th of December 1915  18th of December 1915  19th December 1915 Concert 19th of December 1915 Movement Instructions 20th of December 1915  21st of December 1915 RE Training and Army Work 22nd of December 1915  23rd of December 1915  24th of December 1915  25th December 1915 Christmas Festivities 25th of December 1915  26th of December 1915 RE on the Move 27th of December 1915 Movements 28th of December 1915 Railway Construction 29th of December 1915 Orders 30th of December 1915  31st Dec 1915 Orders for Another Move 31st of December 1915 Working Parties 1st January 1916 Railway Activity   Only Photograph of train crash Candas-Acheux Railway. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Candas to Acheux Railway 28th December 1915 to 31st May 1916. On the 28th December the 16th Rifles were placed under the direct command of the Chief Engineer, Third Army and tasked with building a broad gauge railway joining the main railway line at Candas to Acheux via Beauval, Punchevillers and Raincheval giving rise to a popular couplet by some Battalion wag: "The 16th Rifles had nothing much to do So they had them build a railway from Candas to Acheux." This was to accommodate a new railhead at Acheux to facilitate the supply of equipment to the Front. Although the decisions on the Somme offensive were not made until March, this early work had in mind an awaited British offensive being demanded by the French to relieve pressure on their positions. Because of the contours of the terrain and to minimise gradients for heavily loaded trains, what could have been 13 miles of track in a direct line became almost 17 miles. The railway line supplying this railhead was to be connected to the main Amiens, Doullens line at Candas. Because of the heavy loads to be carried the line was to follow the natural contours in the area rather than crossing them to limit steep gradients. The ground over which it was to be built was mainly rain sodden chalk which greatly added to the difficulty of construction. The Battalion was deployed as follows: HQ and No.2 Company to Beauval; No.3 Company to Fienvillers (just west of Candas); Half of No.4 Company to Candas; No.1 Company left to finish off work in Flechelles; Two platoons of No.4 Company to continue quarrying (ballast for railway). The manpower requirements were enormous and working parties of unskilled labour were supplied by many units. Everyone working on the railways had to be ready at a moment’s notice to offload trains bringing up materials for the work. On the 1st January it was stated in the war diary that track was being laid at the rate of 1100 yards per day. The Chief Engineer reported that on the 11th January the track had advanced 3 miles beyond Candas. This was at odds with the reported daily rate of progress but presumably he was referring to completed and fully ballasted sections. Things were progressing well with a reported 5000 feet laid in a single day, but on the 21st January there was a train crash. The work train was returning when one of the trucks behind the engine jumped the rail at a bad part of the track and two other wagons were smashed. This was a result of having to run heavy trains over un-ballasted sections of track. 2 men were killed and 17 wounded, mostly from other units with only 7 wounded from the 16th Battalion. A cache of Roman Coins were unearthed between 16th and 22nd January. On the 22nd January work had progressed so well, despite the crash, that Battalion HQ and Nos.2 and 4 Companies were able to move back to Raincheval. They were to continue laying track whilst No.3 Company carried on with packing and ballast and finishing the Terminal at Candas, add any necessary sidings and build a large cement tank able to hold 100,000 gallons of water for engines. No.1 Company moved from Flesselles to Acheux where it was to build the Terminus there, a number of sidings and a second 100,000 gallon water tank. There was concern regarding the water supply as the railway needed about 80,000 gallons per day, but only 12,000 was available, but this was solved when a well was found in which the level didn’t fall even when 3,000 gallons per hour were pumped for 32 hours. In the latter part of January heavy snow fell and no work was possible on the 26th January. The Terrors by SN White 1st of January 1916 Move   2nd of January 1916 Further Moves 3rd of January 1916 Moves 4th of January 1916 More Moves 5th of January 1916 Under 48th Division 6th of January 1916 Moving Around 7th of January 1916 More Moves 8th of January 1916 Moves   9th of January 1916  10th of January 1916  12th of January 1916 Corps Takeover 13th of January 1916  14th of January 1916 Major General Gazetted 15th of January 1916 Divisional Transfers 16th of January 1916 Building Huts and Railways 17th of January 1916  18th of January 1916 Units and Personnel Move 19th of January 1916  20th of January 1916 Quiet 21st of January 1916  22nd of January 1916  23rd of January 1916 Training for Ammunition Columns 24th of January 1916 Machine Gun Companies Assemble 25th of January 1916  26th of January 1916 Divisional School Assembly 27th of January 1916  28th of January 1916  29th of January 1916  30th of January 1916 Ordered to Move to Trenches 31st of January 1916 A Temporary Corps Attachment 1st February 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Railway Candas to Acheux. Work continued on into February on the same task allotments and on the 18th February the last spike was driven to complete the line to Belle Eglise Farm. On the 22nd February a Third Army meeting in relation to opening the line gave priority to Belle Eglise. No.4 Company then started work on the station and sidings there while No.2 Company continued to ballast and rectify the track. No.1 Company, working at the most forward part of the track in Acheux was shelled several times but suffered no casualties. Subsequently they found a network of underground passages which provided cover if enemy shelling was heavy. The weather continued to deteriorate towards the end of the month and much of the line had to be checked over particularly near Punchevilles where the line had sunk considerably and new sidings were to be built. The Terrors by SN White 21st Feb 1916 About to Move 1st of February 1916 Another Corps Move 2nd February 1916 Exercises with Divisional Cavalry 2nd of February 1916 Moving to the Trenches   3rd of February 1916 Moves Continue 4th of February 1916 Orders Amended 5th of February 1916 Moves Continue 6th of February 1916 Units Move to Front Line 7th February 1916 Road Control   7th of February 1916 New Sector   8th of February 1916 Shelling   9th February 1916 Divisional Troops Attachments 9th of February 1916 Villages Shelled   10th of February 1916 Shelling and Bombs   11th February 1916 On the Move 11th of February 1916 Shelling   12th of February 1916 A Line Rearrangement   13th of February 1916 German Trenches Shelled   14th of February 1916 Mine Blown   15th February 1916 Observation Posts   15th of February 1916 Digging and Mending   16th February 1916 Move 16th of February 1916 Collapsing Trenches   18th of February 1916 Lots of MG Fire   19th of February 1916 Under Heavy Fire   20th of February 1916 System for Reliefs   21st of February 1916 Active German Patrols   22nd of February 1016 Quiet 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   27th of February 1916 36th Divisional Artillery Arrive 28th of February 1916 Changes to the Front   29th of February 1916 Active Aeroplanes   1st March 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Railway Candas to Acheux. March arrived with the country still in the grip of polar weather during which one of the detachments being sent up the line for experience had to travel in a blinding snow storm. Having arrived, it described conditions as being extremely vile. Many parts of the track, where the ground was soft, needed repairs and additional ballast. Work at Belle Eglise was completed on the 20th March and an RTO (Railway Transport Officer) arrived for whom an office had to be built. The line was then opened and trains with munitions, supplies or troops began to arrive at short intervals. The Battalion was starting to establish a good reputation for itself. The Chief Engineer, Third Army received a letter from the Ulster Division which had been transferred from Third to Fourth Army expressing its regret at the loss of the service of its Pioneer Battalion. There was also on the 11th March, a letter from GHQ to the CRE, appreciating the work of the Battalion and that its services would be represented to higher authorities. Much work was needed to complete the railway line but the Battalion records seem to indicate a period of organised work and recreation for some months ahead. The Terrors by SN White 1st March 1916 Routine work 1st of March 1916 Reorganisation   2nd of March 1916 Very Strong Enemy Wire   3rd March 1916 Routine work 3rd of March 1916 Divisional Artillery Relieved   4th March 1916 Move 4th of March 1916 Heavy Snow   5th March 1916 Further Parties Return 5th of March 1916 Relief Completed   6th of March 1916 Hot Fire   7th of March 1916 Trench Mortars Bombard Village   10th of March 1916 Wood Shelled All Day 11th of March 1916 Dressing Station Hit 12th of March 1916 Aircraft Active 13th of March 1916 Artillery Wire Cutting 14th March 1916 Routine Work 14th of March 1916 Annoying the Enemy 15th March 1916 Return of working parties to the Company 15th of March 1916 Busy Patrols 16th March 1916 Further quiet spell 16th of March 1916 Redan Mine Exploded 17th of March 1916 A Combined Bombardment 19th of March 1916 A Hostile Sniper 20th March 1916 Work interrupted 20th of March 1916 Patrols and Bombs   21st March 1916 Routine work for Company 21st of March 1916 Disturbed Night   22nd of March 1916 Snipers Active on Both Sides   23rd of March 1916 German Wire Tapping Discovered   24th of March 1916 Weather Very Bad   25th of March 1916 Hostile Aeroplanes   26th of March 1916 A Suspected Tunnel   27th of March 1916 Eight Patrols Out   28th of March 1916 Booby Traps Found   29th of March 1916 Heavy Snow   30th of March 1916 A German MG Legs It   31st March 1916 Reports 31st of March 1916 Busy Aircraft   1st April 1916 Railway Activity   Water Tank Building on Candas-Acheux Railway. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Railway Candas to Acheux. In addition to the ongoing work, evening entertainment was organised from 1900 to 2030. Cinematograph put in an appearance with a new programme of films each day. The Division was able to see itself on parade when it was reviewed by King George V on Hankley Common prior to its departure from England. Charlie Chaplin went down as a great favourite with the French children as well as the troops. Captain Paton, now the Battalion’s Chaplain, had been sent a Pathescope from friends in Londonderry, so cinema shows became more accessible than ever. The Battalion had with it for 3 days the Ulster Divisional Troupe, The Follies (later called The Merry Mauves) and thoroughly enjoyed its performance. There was also a Battalion smoking concert and a regimental minstrel group was formed. Railway work continued with some changes in the location of companies and responsibilities of officers. Captain Jewell (4 Company) was responsible for the terminus at Candas, for a new diamond crossing, for maintenance of the track and for all infantry working parties in the section. Captain Shepperd (1 Company) which now moved out of Acheux, was responsible for the section from Rosel to Punchvillers and for infantry work parties. Captain Platt (2 Company) which moved to Acheux was responsible for all buildings, signal boxes and platforms on the line. No.3 Company (Captain Chase) which had been on detachment moved back to Battalion Headquarters. Lt Dolling was in charge of all petrol pumps along the line and 2/Lt Slater after completion of a survey, was responsible for all steel tanks along the line. With the Somme decision now official, as work continued on the railway, up to two companies at a time were sent off for battle indoctrination in the trenches to prepare them for their support role in the coming offensive. The Terrors by SN White 1st of April 1916 Relief begins 1st April 1916 Observation Points   1st of April 1916 A Letter Arrives   2nd of April 1916 Front Expanded 2nd Apr 1916 Reliefs 3rd of April 1916 Some Casualties at Mesnil 5th of April 1916 St Pierre Divion Shelled   6th of April 1916 14th RIR Hold Their Front   7th of April 1916 Minenwerfer Silenced   8th of April 1916 A Balmy Day 9th of April 1916 Aggressive Patrols   10th of April 1916 German Guns Busy   11th of April 1916 Germans Seen Ploughing   12th of April 1916 A Quiet Day   13th of April 1916 Still Quiet 14th of April 1916 MG Fire at Night 15th of April 1916 Patrols Draw a Blank 16th of April 1916 Enemy Quietened by Our Artillery 16th Apr 1916 Reliefs 17th of April 1916 Enemy Sap-Head Bombed 18th of April 1916 Artillery Active 19th of April 1916 Enemy Out in Force 20th of April 1916 Unit Moves 21st of April 1916 Enemy TMs Successful 22nd of April 1916 Shrapnel Casualties 23rd of April 1916 Patrols Clash 24th of April 1916 Thiepval Chateau Shelled 25th of April 1916 Hamel and Thiepval Wood Hit 26th of April 1916 Thiepval Wood Bombarded 27th of April 1916 Hamel Trenches Shelled 28th of April 1916 Thipeval Hit Again 29th of April 1916 TM Bombs Hit Thiepval   30th April 1916 Bicycles 30th of April 1916 A Quiet Day 1st May 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Railway Candas to Acheux. The arrival of May still saw elements of the Battalion involved in railway work. New sidings and crossings were being constructed and the track was being raised and packed in marshy areas near Rosel. Steel tanks and platforms along the route were still under construction. No.1 company from Candas to Punchevillers and No.3 Company from Punchevillers to Acheux. Other Companies were presumably in the trenches The work was completed on the 31st May 1916 and the Battalion was then ordered to Aveluy Wood. Summary: Candas to Acheux Line. The work completed in the 5 month period is listed as follows. Survey and construction of 19 miles of broad gauge railway over terrain which included large sections of swampy ground. Construction of 13 ½ miles of sidings. Construction of two terminals at Candas (including junction with existing main line) and Acheux. Built all necessary platforms, offices, station buildings and signal boxes at the two main terminals and four intermediate stations. Built engine inspection and repair facilities. Built a number of steel tanks for petrol along the route. Constructed two cement 100,000 gallon water tanks. Installed numerous points and crossings throughout the system. Starting on the 29th December 1915, the last spike was driven on the 18th February 1916. (Candas to Belle Eglise) Opened the line to traffic on the 20th March 1916 (Candas to Belle Eglise) and completed the entire system on 31st May 1916. This was a remarkable achievement since some of the work at Acheux was just within enemy heavy artillery range. It was reckoned at the time to be the best section of railway in the whole of France and continued in use long after the war and the decommissioning of the Battalion. It provided an excellent tribute to the Battalion’s expertise and determination in fulfilling their task on time. The Terrors by SN White 1st May 1916 Reorganisation 1st of May 1916 An Evening Bombing 2nd of May 1916 36th Div Artillery Retaliate 3rd of May 1916 Support Trench Blown In 4th of May 1916 Our MGs Active All Day 5th of May 1916 Bombs and Reliefs   6th of May 1916 Many Casualties Sustained   7th of May 1916 Bombardment 7th of May 1916 Another Heavy Bombardment   8th of May 1916 Cold, Squally and Quiet   9th of May 1916 A "Travelling Circus"?   10th of May 1916 Subdued Germans   11th of May 1916 Germans Wake Up (Slightly)   12th of May 1916 A Quiet Day   13th of May 1916 Our Patrol Inflicts Casualties   14th of May 1916 Hamel and Thipeval Targetted   15th of May 1916 77mm Shells Hit Hamel   16th of May 1916 A Fine Day, but Quiet   17th of May 1916 Active Aeroplanes   18th of May 1916 Enterprising Aircraft 19th of May 1916 A New German Sap 20th of May 1916 A Focker Brought Down   21st of May 1916 A Very Hot Day 22nd of May 1916 Bombs in the Ravine 23rd of May 1916 A Sniper Gets His Man 24th of May 1916 Steady Rain   25th of May 1916 First DSO for 36th Div 26th of May 1916 A Quiet Day 27th of May 1916 Lots of Trains 28th of May 1916 Our Batteries Shelled 29th of May 1916 Artillery Active 30th of May 1916 Retailatory Fire 31st of May 1916 Lively Artillery and TM Duels 1st June 1916 Work 1st of June 1916 Lively Shelling   2nd of June 1916 Hamel Shelled 3rd of June 1916 A Heavy Bombardment 4th of June 1916 A Successful Reconnaissance 5th of June 1916 Two Raids 6th of June 1916 A Very Quiet Day 7th of June 1916 Artillery Active 8th of June 1916 Railway Sap Shelled 9th of June 1916 A Persistent Enemy 10th of June 1916 William Redan Bombarded 12th of June 1916 Sodden Ground   13th of June 1916 A Fine Piece of Work   14th of June 1916 Germans Smell a Rat? 15th of June 1916 Germans Uneasy 16th of June 1916 A Drying Day and a Plan   17th of June 1916 Aeroplanes Active 18th of June 1916 A Plane Downed 19th of June 1916 Retaliatory Fire 20th of June 1916 Boche Working Feverishly   21st of June 1916 Artillery Fire Exchanged 22nd of June 1916 Moves are Planned   23rd of June 1916 Sniper Claims Seven Casualties 24th of June 1916 Our Artillery Cuts Wire 25th of June 1916 German Artillery Replies 26th of June 1916 POWs Taken 27th of June 1916 Intense Bombardment   28th June 1916 Start of Somme Offensive 28th of June 1916 German Retaliation Severe 29th of June 1916 Assault Positions   30th of June 1916 Positions During Bombardment   1st July 1916 Somme Offensive  The major decisions regarding the Somme offensive were made in March 1916 and all units now had new planned objectives. For the Pioneers, 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles it was a return to defensive work reinforcing existing wiring and trenches together with the construction of several lines of additional assembly trenches. Whilst putting the finishing touches to the broad gauge railway, from early April small sections under the command of one officer were attached weekly to the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, 10th Royal Irish Fusiliers and the 9th Enniskillen Fusiliers giving them experience of life and working conditions at the Front Line. Prior to the attack on the 1st July, the 16th were responsible for constructing new assembly trenches, fixing damaged wiring, deepening certain trenches and building bomb-proof dugouts along the whole front line of the 36th Ulster Division. They also repaired and maintained an existing trench tramway and built a new tramway. These tramways operated using trolleys which needed about 6 men to push when fully loaded with ammunition, food or defence building equipment. Return journeys carried waste materials and also any casualties for treatment in rear area medical centres. The Battalion was billeted in defensive positions in Aveluy Wood, which was only about 1500 yards from the front line and well within enemy artillery range. Indeed the battalion settled down for the first night on arrival, only to suffer an enemy bombardment around 0230 so slit trenches had to be dug hurriedly for their own protection. All work was to be completed by the 19th June but the commencement of the bombardment was delayed for various reasons with the attack eventually set for the 1st July 1916, a day to become a source of great sorrow and pride for the people of Ulster when the outcome was eventually disclosed. The Terrors by SN White 1st July 1916 Somme Offensive  During the actual attack on the 1st July, the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles was in active support positions to move supplies forward, cut new connecting forward trenches to the German front line trenches and generally help the advancing troops. In some areas this was successful, but lack of committed fresh troops limited success whilst in other areas enemy troops were still in possession of targets and the men had to hold defensive positions against enemy counter attacks. The Ulster Division, having suffered about 5,500 casualties including killed and wounded, were withdrawn at 1800 that evening, but the 16th Pioneers had to work on supporting the replacement division until their eventual withdrawal on the 8th July 1916. Prior to this month the war diaries had not reported monthly casualties but were now going to have to do so for many months to come. Casualties at the point of relief from the Somme sector were: 2 officers killed, 3 wounded and 5 broke down (later termed shell shocked). Among the men 22 were killed and 159 wounded of which over 100 were invalided. At the close of the first 9 months since arrival in France, the Battalion had fully earned their distinctive emblem of the crossed rifle and pickaxe. The Terrors by SN White 1st Jul 1916 Over the Top   1st Jul 1916 In Action 1st July 1916 Terrible Losses   2nd Jul 1916 Heroism with the Wounded 2nd of July 1916 A Gallant Plan   4th of July 1916 Orders to Move 5th of July 1916 Brigades Move 6th of July 1916 A "Times" Report 7th of July 1916 A Wet Day 8th July 1916 Somme to Messines  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The Move to Belgium, Somme to Messines After being relieved at the Somme on the 8th July 1916, the Battalion remained on the move for some time and was not involved in any pioneering work. 10th Jul Marched from Harpenville to Beauval and billeted (9½ miles). 11th Jul Marched from Beauval to Bernaville and billeted (9 miles). 12th Jul Marched to Conteville (6 miles) then by train to Theinnes (55 miles) and marched to Blaringham and billeted (3 miles). 13th Jul Marched from Blaringham to Moulles and billeted (14 miles). From the 14th to 20th July, the Battalion stayed at Moulles for interior economy (a military term for general Cleaning of a personal nature, including equipment and accommodation ). The men were exhausted and this period was used to boost morale with exercise, games and parades to present medals awarded during recent campaign actions. Further moves then took places as follows: 21st Jul Marched to Volkeringshove and billeted (6 miles). During this march they witnessed the explosion of an ammunition dump at Audvicq. 22nd Jul Marched to Winnezeele and billeted (16 miles). 23rd Jul Marched to Bauvoorde (10 miles) and camped on the Belgian border. 24th Jul Marched 3 miles to a hill position. This was about 2 ½ miles from Bailleul where they obtained some dilapidated Armstrong huts and set up camp. The marches were not long by modern standards but the constant moves involved a daily sequence of reveille, packing equipment and transport, having a hot meal, parading in full kit and laden transport before starting out on the march. The full Battalion would occupy about 1000 yards of road and take about 10 minutes to pass any given point in the route. On arrival at the destination, the reverse order would be unloading, setting up camp, feeding men and animals and settling down for the night. Exhausting as that may seem, it was not the full story as rations had to be organised. One day’s rations were carried by each man, though probably on Battalion transport, also fodder for the animals, so each day more rations had to be acquired from collection points. For 1000 men this meant about 1 ½ tons of rations and for animals 1 ¼ tons of fodder to collect and distribute each day. The Quartermaster had quite literally very much on his plate and everyone depended on his skill and organisational ability. Foot inspections were considered to be a very important requirement as was the watering, grooming and feeding of the horses and mules. The Terrors by SN White 8th of July 1916 Orders to Move 9th of July 1916 Moves Postponed 10th of July 1916 Entraining Plans   12th July 1916 Back to the Wagons 12th of July 1916 On the Move 13th of July 1916 To Tilques 14th of July 1916 A Grand Review 15th of July 1916 Corps Change 18th of July 1916 Artillery Rejoins 19th of July 1916 Reorganisation 20th of July 1916 Orders 22nd of July 1916 Orders for Line Changes   23rd of July 1916 Relief Carried Out   24th of July 1916    24th of July 1916 Boche Holds the High Ground 25th of July 1916 Front Extended   26th of July 1916  26th of July 1916 Orders 26th of July 1916 Artillery Registers 27th of July 1916  109th Brigade Enters the Line   28th of July 1916 A Completed Relief   29th of July 1916  Fairly Quiet 30th of July 1916 German Working Parties 31st of July 1916 Artillery Fairly Active 1st August 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. At the end of July the 36th Ulster Division was sent back into the line and all the moves of the 16th Battalion were to bring it into support positions around Neuve Eglise opposite enemy positions on the Messines Ridge. The Battalion had grown accustomed to the terrain in the Picardy region of France. Now they were to encounter the fairly flat low lying terrain of Flanders with its water table problems that made defensive position, road construction and maintenance methods a very different proposition. Flanders, August 1916 to December 1916. During August the entire 36th Division were committed to the Front and pioneering work gathered pace. Everywhere there was water just below the surface and even on the highest ground this was encountered within a few feet. Communication trenches could only be dug down a couple of feet, so construction had to be above ground by piling earthworks or sandbags to the required heights. The war diaries describe August as being routine work but with increased enemy shelling and resultant higher casualties. Summary as follows: 4th August: Several shells fell near No. 3 Company’s farm and two hit it killing all the mules and wounding the company commander’s charger. Some rifles and equipment were damaged and a fire exploded some ammunition. The men sheltered in the basement of a house until shelling was over. 6th August: Two companies relocated from Bulford to Le Grande Munque Farm to get closer to work. It could hold about 400 men and was about 2000 yards behind the front line. 7th August: Battalion HQ moved to a point south of Petit Pont and camped there. No.4 Coy’s work assignment moved from Subsidiary Line to Gas Trench. 13th August: Artillery active from both sides. 14th August: GOC visited trenches and expressed approval of progress. 19th August: A note of irritation in the war diary entry. "Without previous warning our artillery started a bombardment. The Boche retaliated killing 2 men and wounding 3 of No. 2 Company also wounding 3 men of No.3 Company, one of whom died later from his wounds. 23rd August: 3 NCOs and 33 men were assigned to construct emplacement for a mortar battery. 24th August: A sentry from No.3 Company challenged another man of No.2 Company and getting no reply, bayoneted him. The injured man was sent to hospital. 26/27th August: All available men in Battalion, about 300, were used to carry gas cylinders up to the front line trenches each night. 30/31st August: Gas attack on enemy took place at 0130 accompanied by a bombardment and a raid. 31st August: There was general retaliation by the enemy all day and No.1 Company was shelled on its way to the trenches. Another small gas attack on the enemy was carried out that night Also during the month 2 officers and 44 ORs were attached to the 1st Australian Tunneling Company for work on Hill 63. This involved digging two galleries into its steep southern slope capable of holding two battalions completely safe from any form of artillery fire. An amusing incident was reported in Colonel Leader’s Memoirs. After he left one of the billets he had been occupying, his landlady complained to Divisional HQ that a grandfather cuckoo clock was missing. The following correspondence took place: HQ to Leader: Can you offer any explanation? Leader to HQ: No. HQ to Leader: The GOC desires that you answer this question more fully. Leader to HQ: No I can’t. HQ to Leader: The GOC considers your answer most impertinent. Kindly send more particulars about this cuckoo clock. Leader to HQ: Cuckoo; cuckoo; cuckoo. It then transpired that the lady’s son-in-law not trusting the British had removed the clock before the colonel’s occupation. So he sent off a final message: Leader to HQ: Soldiers I am innocent, the cuckoo clock has been found. Later an officer from the Division on leave met a relative of the Colonel who asked him if he knew John Leader, to which he replied: "Oh yes, everyone knows the cuckoo colonel". Colonel Leader was suffering from injuries received when his dugout was blown in and eventually on the 8th August he allowed the Medical Officer to evacuate him to No.12 Casualty Clearing Station and he was returned to the UK. His place as Commanding Officer was taken by Major Meares, who was promoted to Temporary Lt Colonel in September. Casualties for August reported as: Other Ranks 2 killed, 6 wounded and 1 died from wounds. The Terrors by SN White 1st of August 1916 A Quiet Day 2nd of August 1916 Retaliation 3rd of August 1916 North Midland Farm Hit 4th of August 1916  4th of August 1916    4th of August 1916 Ulsters Extend Front Line 5th of August 1916 Germans Working on Trenches 6th of August 1916 Reliefs   6th of August 1916 Orders   6th of August 1916 Quiet Day 7th of August 1916 A Red Balloon 8th of August 1916 Patrols Out   9th of August 1916 Heavy Bombardment by Germans   10th of August 1916  10th of August 1916 Medium TMs Used 11th of August 1916 Very Warm Weather 12th of August 1916 Messines Shelled 13th of August 1916 POWs Taken 14th of August 1916 A Deceptive Patrol   15th of August 1916  15th of August 1916 Wire-Cutting 16th of August 1916 Hill 63 Shelled 17th of August 1916 Heath Trench Shelled 18th of August 1916 Accurate Wire-Cutting   19th of August 1916 Two Short Shoots 20th of August 1916 A New German Grenade 21st of August 1916 Blue Sandbags 22nd of August 1916 Howitzers Retaliate 23rd August 1916 Bomb Store Destroyed 24th of August 1916 A Telescope Destroyed   25th of August 1916 Listening Post Bombed 26th of August 1916 Clarence, I'm lost   27th of August 1916 Damage to Trenches   28th of August 1916 Camouflet Blown 29th of August 1916 A Little Gas Show 30th of August 1916 Our Batteries Shelled 1st September 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Towards the end of August the 36th Division moved a little further north to take over from the 50th Division with its left boundary south of the Kemmel, Wytschaete Road and its right flank being the River Douve. As a result the 16th moved its HQ and numbers 2 and 4 Companies to Dranoutres. The heat of August turned to the arrival of September and torrential rain. The new trench positions also needed extensive repairs, which were too much for a single Pioneer Battalion, so each Brigade was tasked to form labour squads and carry out repairs to their own sections. To assist in management of the work some experienced members from the 16th were attached to each work group. The Battalion’s own workload still included the full range of Wiring, Trenches, Saps, Dugouts and Screening. When it rained (as it often did for days and weeks on end) water would still gather within the defensive lines so it was necessary to use inverted timber A-frames in upright positions at regular intervals and insert timber planks(duck-boarding)to provide reasonably dry underfoot movement throughout the trenches. Beneath the decking was a void one or two feet in depth through which the excess water could flow to outlet drains. A small stream running through the area caused deep flooding in rainy periods all of which added to the Pioneer’s tasks which were carried out, often in full view of the German Artillery observers. The Divisions positions were also on low lying ground with little or no cover and the enemy had a commanding view from his positions on the Messines Ridge. Another necessary defensive measure was the need for extensive screening along roads and communication routes to protect personnel and traffic from being in full view of enemy artillery and snipers. This also helped to protect work parties after the screens were in place. Improvements to Billets and Quarters together with the construction of Horse standings continued until the end of September. Major Gardiner, Second in Command, was posted to 20th Bn Royal Irish Rifles in Newtownards and his place taken by Captain Allen, promoted to Major with Lt Maxwell appointed as Adjutant. September Casualties - Other Ranks several wounded, numbers not given. The Terrors by SN White 1st of September 1916 A Gas Own Goal 1st of September 1916 A Gas Own Goal 2nd of September 1916 Nothing to Report 3rd of September 1916 A Gas Alarm   4th of September 1916 Casualties During Move 5th of September 1916 A Quiet Day 6th of September 1916 Germans Alert 7th of September 1916 Busy Artillery 8th of September 1916 Artillery Tit-for-Tat 9th of September 1916 False Gas Alert 10th of September 1916 Snipers Post Hit   11th of September 1916 Active Stokes Mortars 12th of September 1916 Snipers Claim Hits 13th of September 1916 Wire Cutting 14th of September 1916 An Unsuccessful Patrol   15th of September 1916 No Man's Land Reconnoitred   16th of September 1916  POWs Taken   17th of September 1916 A Gas Accident 18th of September 1916 Our Artillery Active 19th of September 1916 An Unexpected Enemy Post 20th of September 1916 Minenwerfer Fired   21st of September 1916 Heavies Active 22nd of September 1916 TMs Attack Enemy Lines   23rd of September 1916 Saphead Bombed   24th of September 1916 Enemy Mortared 25th of September 1916 A Daylight Patrol 26th of September 1916 German Officer Hit? 27th of September 1916 A New TM Used 28th of September 1916 Good Results   29th of September 1916 Active TMs and Artillery 30th September 1915 Reviewed by the King 30th of September 1916 German Equipment Captured 1st Oct 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  Pioneer Work started in September for the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles and continued throughout October with the weather worsening as winter progressed. "The trenches and dugouts to begin with were not such at all in the sense in which the troops had been wont to use the names on the Ancre. The fighting trenches consisted everywhere save on the highest ground, of parapets built of sandbags filled with clay. In places there was a parados similarly constructed, but over long stretches the men in the front line simply stood behind the wall, with no protection against the back-burst of shells. Water in this country appeared everywhere just below the surface and it was useless to dig trenches in the real sense for any other purpose than drainage. Even the communication trenches were sunk not deeper than a foot and piled high on either side with earth which made them satisfactory enough as cover from view, but very vulnerable to shellfire. These communication trenches were longer than those to which the troops had been accustomed, the approaches to the front line being much more exposed than among the folds of the Somme country. As for dugouts, there were none. Little wooden-framed shelves in the parapets, a few "baby elephants", arched steel shelters, which if covered thickly enough with sandbags, afforded protection against the shells of field guns, served for the troops in line, while further back, for battalion HQ and forts, there were ruined farms, which often had good cellars and in the framework of which concrete structures could be hidden. It was hard for troops used to the Somme chalk to accustom their minds to the spongy nature of this soil." "When it rained, which was not seldom, all the low lying ground was flooded. The valley of the Douve (a small stream) above all, from Wulverghem to the front line, became a muddy swamp, in which water lay in sheets. At such times, and indeed during a great part of the winter, many trenches simply could not be occupied. No adequate idea of the impression conveyed upon the mind of a man coming up north from the clean white trenches of the Somme can be obtained of all this area unless it is conceived as dirty, mournful and disconsolate; haunted by the evil stench of blue clay, and brooded over by an atmosphere of decay." "You went into that front line and you never even took --- I don’t think I took my equipment off; and there were no dugouts in this particular part; and the only place I could stretch myself out was where someone had sandbagged a part of the parapet and they’d left a space between sandbags and you could crawl in on hands and knees and stretch yourself out. I remember that was the only place I could get down to have a rest." October Casualties in 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles: Officers 1 wounded, Other Ranks 6 wounded. The Terrors by SN White 1st of October 1916 Mortars Retaliate 2nd of October 1916 Minenwerfer Retaliate 3rd of October 1916  Enemy's TMs Active 4th of October 1916 Hostile Patrol Fired On 5th of October 1916  Morning Bombardment 6th of October 1916 Vigorous German Retaliation 7th of October 1916 TMs Active 8th of October 1916 Ontario Farm Bombarded 9th of October 1916 Three POWs Taken 10th of October 1916 Winter Trench Shelled 11th of October 1916 Artillery Registers 12th of October 1916 Several Raids   13th of October 1916 Damage by Minenwerfers    14th of October 1916 Damaged Trenches 15th of October 1916 German Trenches "Knocked About" 16th of October 1916 A Small Bombing Party 17th of October 1916 Plane in Flames 18th of October 1916 Two Small Bombardments 19th of October 1916 An Early Patrol 20th of October 1916 Weather Improves 21st of October 1916 A Sap Causes Anxiety 22nd of October 1916 Wire Cutting 23rd of October 1916 Ontario Farm Shot Up 24th of October 1916 Weather Turns Bad 25th of October 1916 Artillery Active 26th of October 1916 An Aggressive Enemy Patrol 27th of October 1916 Muddy Boots 28th of October 1916 TMs Bombard Ontario Farm 29th of October 1916 Winter Trench Shelled 30th of October 1916 A Daylight Reccy 31st of October 1916 Enemy Bomb Showers 1st November 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. November included some terrible weather with torrential rain, bitterly cold east winds and some snow. Mufflers and woollen gloves from home were eagerly sought after and leather lined jerkins were issued. Great efforts were made to equip the men’s huts with stoves and beds. A recreation and reading room was established with two fireplaces so that men returning cold and wet from work in the trenches had a place to get properly dried. The real mud of Flanders was making any movement of equipment extremely difficult and ongoing work from October was now doubly difficult. With the heavy rains, what had until then been a friendly stream helping to drain the surrounding area, now became a deadly foe flooding dugouts and communication trenches. As a result hygiene problems were caused by the lack of natural drainage flow. Casualties recorded: November Nil The Terrors by SN White 1st of November 1916 Unsuccessful Raids 2nd of November 1916 Heavy Retaliation 3rd of November 1916  Stinking Farm Shelled 4th of November 1916 A 15-minute Bombardment 5th of November 1916 Night-time Signalling 6th of November 1916 A Little Shoot 7th of November 1916 Mortar Farm Bombarded 8th of November 1916 The River Douve Floods 9th of November 1916 Better Weather 10th of November 1916 A Short Shoot 11th of November 1916 An Officer is Killed 12th of November 1916 A "Reckless" Enemy 13th of November 1916 Slight Artillery Activity 14th of November 1916 Three Explosions 15th of November 1916 Three TM Bombardments 16th of November 1916 A Large Scale Raid 17th of November 1916 Quiet Day and Night 18th of November 1916 Poor Visibility 19th of November 1916 A Two-Hour Bombardment 20th of November 1916 A Torpedo Ignored   21st of November 1916 Company HQ Hit 22nd November 1916 Heavy Artillery on Messines 23rd of November 1916 A Combined Shoot 24th of November 1916 Boche Trenches Hit 25th of November 1916 Our TMs Active 26th of November 1916 A Quiet Day 27th of November 1916 Aeroplanes Active 28th of November 1916 Working On Our Wire 29th of November 1916 Good Patrol Work 30th of November 1916 Rapid TM Fire 1st December 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. December’s work continued as in November with the emphasis now on Mortar Emplacements, Saps and Trench Railways. Again the Division moved slightly southwards creating similar maintenance work in new areas. (Note: Saps are small trenches beyond the front line towards the enemy usually for advance listening posts) As a relief to the heavy ongoing workload, Sundays were set aside for infantry training giving the men some respite whilst brushing up on their combat skills in case an enemy attack might take place though weather condition probably reduced its likelihood. On the 21st December the Battalion received a most complimentary letter from the GOC. 36th (Ulster) Division expressing appreciation for work done during the four month period with special mention of joining up Calgary Avenue with the Front Line under wet and difficult conditions. The 16th Battalion's CO also had his Adjutant issue a statement congratulating the men for their efforts in earning such recognition from the GOC. It is rather unusual that he did not sign the letter himself as most Commanding Officers would normally have done. There is no record of how Christmas 1916 was celebrated. Money was raised in Lurgan to ensure that all the men got their Christmas pudding. One can only hope that the gap in the War Diaries implies a quiet and uneventful period. December Casualties: Other Ranks 2 wounded. The Terrors by SN White 1st of December 1916 "A Good Piece of Work" 2nd of December 1916 Working Parties Dispersed 3rd of December 1916 Little Activity 4th of December 1916 An Unpleasant Sector 4th Dec 1916 Reliefs   5th of December 1916    6th of December 1916 A Quiet Time 7th of December 1916  8th of December 1916 Wire Examined   9th of December 1916 Mortar Farm Bombarded 10th of December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active 11th of December 1916 Germans Deal with TMs 12th of December 1916 Bad Weather 13th of December 1916 Intense Enemy Shelling 14th of December 1916 Enemy TMs Heavily Engaged 15th of December 1916 A Big Explosion   16th of December 1916 Firing Before Light 17th of December 1916 Cylinders Buried 18th of December 1916 A Patrol Challenged 19th of December 1916 Farms Shelled 20th of December 1916 A Listening Post Bombed 21st of December 1916 Farms Hit 22nd of December 1916 Fort Osborne Shelled 23rd of December 1916 A Gas Attack 24th of December 1916 Enemy Aircraft Active 25th of December 1916 60-pounders Targeted 26th of December 1916 A 50-strong Patrol 27th of December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active 28th of December 1916 Blind Shells 29th of December 1916 Reorganisation   30th of December 1916 109th Brigade Targeted 31st of December 1916 Enemy Shooting All Day 1st January 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles are engaged as pioneers in preparation for the Battle of Messines The British High Command had been wishing to launch an offensive towards the key German railhead at Roulers and so force a very significant withdrawal in the northern sector and from much of the Belgian Coast, but was restricted by lack of support from the French who maintained they were overstretched in their adjoining sector. Permission was finally given and planning for the necessary build up began. Once again the 36th Division was to lose the services of its Pioneer Battalion as, in similar circumstances to the Somme, an improvement in the movement of supplies was paramount. So it was back to the Railways for the 16th Battalion. Having established a reputation for railway construction, they were transferred to the X Corps area for just such work under the ADL RR, Second Army. (Assistant Director of Labour, Roads and Railways) While they were away the pioneering work in the trenches was to be taken on by a labour battalion made up with a company from each Brigade together with 3 officers and 110 men of the 16th Battalion to help oversee the work. They were still exposed to the poor weather and enemy activity. It did not really work well and fell short of the usual standard of the Pioneer’s work. The remainder of the Pioneers were assigned work on the 60cm railway lines from Ouderdom to Kemmel and south-east from Busseboom as well as works on the broadgauge railway lines at Ouderdom involving excavating, levelling and ditching, laying steel, packing and ballasting and making crossings and sidings. On the 19th January 1917 a survey was commenced for a new 60cm line from Busseboom to Dickebusch. Downshire Camp near Ouderdom was a tented area and the accommodation was much inferior to their last billets. January 1917 Casualties: Other ranks 2 killed and 1 wounded. The Terrors by SN White 2nd of January 1917 An Enemy Patrol 3rd of January 1917 Gas and Heath Trenches Shelled 4th of January 1917 Stinking Farm Hit Again 5th of January 1917 Hostile Artillery Active 6th of January 1917 Agnes Street Hit 7th of January 1917 A Heavy Bombardment 8th of January 1917 Unpleasant Attention   9th of January 1917 Our Whole Front Hit 10th of January 1917 Our Balloon Shot Down 12th of January 1917 Enemy Artillery Quiet 13th of January 1917 Douve Valley Flooded   14th of January 1917 MGs Sweep Our Wire 15th of January 1917 The Douve Subsides 16th of January 1917 Livelier Enemy Artillery 17th of January 1917 A Short, Heavy Shoot 18th of January 1917 Artillery Replies Strongly 19th of January 1917 Currie Avenue Hit 20th of January 1917 Intense Cold 21st of January 1917 Company Commanders Shoots 22nd of January 1917 Anton's Farm Targeted   23rd of January 1917 Germans Working Hard 24th of January 1917 Our Two Bombardments 25th of January 1917 Hill 63 Shelled   26th of January 1917 Batteries Targeted 27th of January 1917 Great Aerial Activity 28th of January 1917  Insense Cold Continues 29th of January 1917 Artilleries Register 30th of January 1917 Shooting All Day 31st of January 1917 Howitzers Hit   1st February 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Work continued with the temporary labour battalion in the front line and support trenches throughout February with the rest of the Pioneers still fully occupied on the following Railway lines: Broadgauge Railway - work continued at Ouderdom. 60cm railway line - from point L1 to a point on the Wijverhock/Vierstraat line. 60cm railway line - from Busseboom to Ouderdom. 60cm railway line - Busseboom, Brandhoek, Kemmel branch lines included. Substantial replacements were received in manpower. In total they had an influx of 220 men from 1/5 and 2/15 London Regiments, the Bedfordshire Regiment and 20 from the Reserve Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Infantry training continued to be carried out, presumably on Sundays as a break from the heavy railway work. February 1917 casualties, none recorded. The Terrors by SN White 1st March 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Work continues as in February with the temporary labour battalion fully stretched in the forward and support areas. The Pioneers continuing Railway work took place on the following lines. Broadgauge railway continued at Ouderdom. 60cm railway line from point L1 to a point on the Wijverhock/Vierstraat line. 60cm railway line from Busseboom to Ouderdom. 60cm railway line Busseboom, Brandhoek, Kemmel including branch lines. A total length of 16 miles was worked on, but details are not recorded as clearly as the earlier Candas to Acheux operations. However it seems fairly safe to assume that the works were completed around mid-March. The 16th returned to its Parent Division on the 19th March and was now back up to strength having received substantial reinforcements in February 1917, with a further 64 men arriving in March. The March intake included 40 men from the Central Training School via 7 Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur. Casualties in the period January to March had been fairly light. March 1917 Officers 1 wounded. Other ranks 1 wounded. So the unit was fit and ready for its next great endeavour, the Battle of Messines. The Terrors by SN White 1st April 1917 Messines Sector - Flanders   Working Party Battle of Messines Preparation 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The Battle of Messines, Final Preparations April-May 1917. The 36th Ulster Division was now facing the enemy at Messines Ridge, east of Kemmel and the 16th Pioneers were fully committed in support of them. As at the Somme this involved construction and repair of communication and assembly trenches (through which the men and equipment would move for the assault), Mortar emplacements to defend against enemy attacks and to support the assault, dugouts for headquarters and trench railways for bringing stores and ammunition forward and returning with waste materials and evacuation of casualties. Screening was also vital, as most of the area was overlooked by the Germans in their higher positions on the Ridge. Much of the work in April was carried out in bad conditions with snow and rain making the work doubly difficult due to drainage problems and the presence of glutinous mud everywhere. Good progress was made towards the end of April as the weather conditions improved. Battalion strength reports. 1st April 34 Officers. 868 Other ranks. 30th April 39 Officers. 866 Other ranks. April Casualties: Other ranks - 2 killed and 4 wounded. The Terrors by SN White 1st of April 1917 Very Little Activity 2nd of April 1917 Snow Storms 3rd of April 1917 Heavy Snowfall 4th of April 1917 Active Artillery 5th of April 1917 Enemy Barrage 6th of April 1917 Brigades Move 7th of April 1917 Enemy Work Parties 8th of April 1917 Bombardment 9th of April 1917 Snowstorms 10th of April 1917 Bad Weather 11th of April 1917 More Snow 12th of April 1917 A Quiet Day 13th of April 1917 Hostile Trench Mortars 13th of April 1917  14th of April 1917 Village Shelled 15th of April 1917 Shelling 16th of April 1917 Aeroplane Shoots 17th of April 1917 Quiet 18th of April 1917 Observation Impossible 20th of April 1917 Grenadier Deserter 20th Apr 1917 Artillery in Action   21st of April 1917 Fine Weather 21st Apr 1917 In Action   22nd of April 1917 New German Division 23rd of April 1917 Balloon Observation 24th of April 1917 Fine Weather 25th of April 1917 Derelict German Lines 26th of April 1917 Kemmel Shelled 27th of April 1917 Hostile TMs Active 28th of April 1917 Guy Farm Bombarded 29th of April 1917 Kemmel Hit Again 30th of April 1917 Germans Bombard Kemmel 1st May 1917 Preparing for Attack   Work Party - Battle of Messines preparation. 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers report Work which had started in April continued into May with additional areas being allocated together with more work on trench railways. Battalion strength reports. 1st May 39 Officers. 866 Other ranks. 31st May 43 Officers. 956 Other ranks. The Terrors by SN White 1st of May 1917 Our Raiders Withdraw   2nd of May 1917 Gun Pits Pinpointed   3rd of May 1917 Camouflaged Enemy Works 4th of May 1917 A Bombing Party   5th of May 1917 A German Captive 6th of May 1917 Kemmel Under Fire 7th of May 1917 Punishment Shelling   8th of May 1917 Bad Visibility 9th of May 1917 Enemy Smoke Screens 10th of May 1917 A Prisoner Taken   11th of May 1917 Our Battery Bombarded   12th of May 1917 A Successful Shoot   13th of May 1917 TMs Do Useful Work 14th of May 1917 A Brigade Relieved 15th of May 1917 Enfer Farm Shelled   16th of May 1917 Heavy Rain 1917-05-17 Enemy Causes Little Damage 18th of May 1917 Balloon Downed 19th of May 1917 Tit-for-Tat Raid   20th of May 1917 Abortive Enemy Raid 21st of May 1917 MG Emplacements Destroyed 22nd of May 1917 Uneventful Day   23rd of May 1917 German Front Stiffened   24th May 1917 Relocation in new camp 24th of May 1917 Raid Casualties   25th of May 1917 3,000 Rounds Fired 26th of May 1917 Heavy Howitzers Succeed 27th May 1917 More Brigades Drafted 27th of May 1917 Hut Destroyed 28th of May 1917 Lindenhoek Gassed   29th of May 1917 Enemy Kept at Bay   30th of May 1917 Unoccupied German Trenches 30th of May 1917 "Preliminary Bombardment" starts 1st June 1917 Battle of Messines Ridge   Road near Spree Farm - Battle of Langemark - Ypres 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Preparations for the attack were well advanced and were to include 5 days of bombardment prior to the advance. As the ground over which the attack would take place was considerably churned up the Pioneers had prepared materials to help open roads and tracks very quickly behind the advancing troops, keeping them well supplied with essential ammunition and supplies. They were able to prepare markers for routes in advance including named signposts. Another major surprise for the enemy was a line of mines which had been tunnelled under the German Front Line along the Messines Ridge, three of which were in front of the Ulster Division. The pioneers carried out additional work around Divisional HQ and communication trenches to the forward lines. The Battle of Messines, June 1917 After dusk on Y, 6th June, the assault troops moved to their assembly areas and the 16th moved up to their Battle HQ. on Kemmel Hill, all in readiness for Z which was timed for 0310, 7th June. The Pioneers were to move to their forward positions the next morning. At Z every gun on the 10 mile front opened fire and the semi-circle of mines exploded throwing debris half a mile into the air. The Pioneers reached their positions at 0630 and were given orders to proceed with their road and track clearance works at 0820. Most of the roads and tracks were ready for wheeled traffic by dusk that evening. At 1630 orders were given to start building communication trenches over the top of the ridge. That night over 1300 yards of trenches up to 5 feet deep were finished all signposted with previously prepared names to assist movement of relief forces in further waves of attack. On the 9th June the artillery track was finished to allow forward movement of Supporting Artillery. The 36th Division was relieved by the 11th Division but once again the work of the Pioneers carried on givng their vital support to the new troops with the building of another 2 miles of new trench railway. The enemy had now recovered and consolidation of the newly gained positions was the order of the day. Work on the new trench railway continued between the 10th and 20th June and progressed well despite being a target for German Artillery particularly in the vicinity of L’Enfer Wood. From the 21st to the 28th June, the Battalion was back on communication trenches and roads in the following areas. No. 1 Company, communication trench north of Oostaverne running in a south easterly direction. No. 2 Company, repairing and clearing road from Estaminet crossroads to In de Sterkte Cabaret. No. 3 Company, Bob trench between Black Line and Mauve Line. No. 4 Company, Bob trench between Mauve Line and Support Trench. All this work was carried out at night and good progress made despite heavy enemy shelling. During this period the Battalion was informed that on 30th June it would be transferred to the Fifth Army. Entry in war diary on 29th June was just one word "Rest!" with great emphasis on the exclamation mark. At 0430 on 30th June the Battalion moved to new areas. Battalion HQ, 3 and 4 Companies to Watou with 1 and 2 Companies to Poperinghe. All ranks could look back with satisfaction on the successful operations during the battle. There is little doubt that the support work by the Battalion greatly enabled the forward troops to hold on to the gains made, but in turn owed much to the meticulous preparation insisted upon by the Army Commander, General Plumer and to the achievement of tactical surprise. This would sadly not be the case in the next campaign where poor planning had a profound effect on the Battalion’s ability to provide adequate support. Monthly Reports . Battalion strength. 1st June, 43 Officers, 956 ORs. 30th June, 44 Officers, 930 ORs. June Casualties. Other Ranks, 9 killed, 23 wounded. The Terrors by SN White 1st of June 1917 Instructions for the Offensive   2nd of June 1917 Moves Afoot 3rd of June 1917 Night Bombardment 4th of June 1917 A Practice Barrage 5th of June 1917 Enfer Wood Hit 6th of June 1917 Eve of the Attack 7th of June 1917 Attack a Complete Success   8th of June 1917 Brigades Relieved   9th of June 1917 Reliefs   10th of June 1917 A New Div HQ 11th of June 1917 Nothing Reported 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 June 1917 Nothing to Report 13th of June 1917 Brigades Move   14th of June 1917 Working Parties 19th of June 1917  More Reliefs 19th of June 1917 On Relief 20th of June 1917 Two Balloons Downed   21st of June 1917 Forward Positions Hit 22nd of June 1917 Church Spire Destroyed 23rd of June 1917 The "Red" Squadron 24th of June 1917 Gas Shells 25th of June 1917 Gun Batteries Hit 26th of June 1917 Aerial Activity 27th of June 1917 Tear Gas Shelling   28th of June 1917 More Gas Shells 29th of June 1917 Hostile Aerial Activity   30th of June 1917 Another Move 1st of July 1917 Training 7th of July 1917 Move 8th of July 1917 More Training 26th of July 1917 Move 27th of July 1917 At Winnizeele 28th of July 1917 Orders for an Attack   30th July 1917 Preparation for Langemark   30th of July 1917 On the Move 31st of July 1917 An Attack 1st August 1917 Battle of Langemark 1917-08-01 Orders to Move 2nd of August 1917 More Orders Received   2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation   3rd of August 1917 Move into Support 4th of August 1917 Change of Camps 5th of August 1917 A Line of Posts   6th of August 1917 Two Polish POWs 7th of August 1917  An Enemy Probe 8th of August 1917 Hostile Shelling Lessens 9th of August 1917 Active Aircraft 10th of August 1917 Gas Bombardment 11th of August 1917 Destructive "Shoots" 12th of August 1917  A Bavarian Deserter   13th of August 1917 Phosgene and Mustard 14th of August 1917 Practice Barrages   15th of August 1917 Thirty Hostile Planes   16th of August 1917 Division Falls Back   17th of August 1917  A Relief 18th of August 1917 Reliefs and Moves   19th of August 1917 Inspection by GOC 20th of August 1917 A Corps Transfer 23rd of August 1917 Moves by Rail 25th of August 1917 A New Area 26th of August 1917 Another Relief Ordered 28th of August 1917 Taking Over the Line 29th of August 1917 Another Line Takeover 29th August 1917 Posts 30th of August 1917 Two Posts at Yorkshire Bank   31st of August 1917 Posts Lost and Won 1st September 1917 Back to Ypres 1st September 1917 9th Btn. R.Ir.Fus. 1917-19 1st of September 1917 Yorkshire Bank Tussle   2nd Sep 1917 Working Parties 2nd of September 1917 Front Adjusted 3rd Sep 1917 On the Move  9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers Headquarters and D.C. [Divisional Command?] moved to Ruyaulcourt at 0800 and were accommodated in tents and Nissen huts. Captain J.E Gibson Officer Commanding Details (by remainder of unit) at Havrincourt Wood. Working parties were supplied as before. War Diaries 3rd of September 1917 Enemy Shelling 4th September 1917 Daily Activity 4th of September 1917 Enemy Attack 5th Sep 1917 Relief in Trenches   5th of September 1917 Active Artillery   6th Sep 1917 Trench Work 6th of September 1917 HQ Bombed   7th Sep 1917 Exchange of Fire 7th of September 1917 Havrincourt Shelled   8th Sep 1917 Quiet  9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers spend a very quiet day at Havrincourt Wood. There was little trench mortar or machine gun fire during the day. A German called across to our men "Jock, have you been here before"? He got no reply however. 2nd Lieutenant Partridge and four men went out on a patrol. They did not come into contact with enemy. Wire entanglements and deepening of the communication trench on Yorkshire Bank continued. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2 8th of September 1917 German Shelling   9th Sep 1917 Trench Work  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers spend a quiet day in the trenches. Some enemy trench mortars fired around Yorkshire Bank, and an enemy plane flew very low over the Bank. They carried out work on the Bank, wiring and improving trenches and deepening new trenches at R.3. No casualties. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2 9th of September 1917 Uneventful Day 10th of September 1917 HQ Shelled   11th Sep 1917 Enemy Patrol  At 0330 an enemy patrol of seven approached the line held by 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, south of Yorkshire Bank and were driven off, but without casualties. R.3 was shelled late in the evening. Lieutenant J.A.L Johnston (D Company) was severely wounded in jaw, leg and foot, and had to go to hospital. The day generally was somewhat more lively than usual. War Diaries 11th of September 1917 TMs Hit Spoil Heap   12th Sep 1917 Patrols   12th of September 1917 Hows Hit Enemy TMs 13th Sep 1917 Reliefs   13th of September 1917  Our MGs Busy 14th Sep 1917 Working Parties  9th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt. The morning was spent cleaning up followed by allocation of working parties in the afternoon. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2 14th of September 1917 Havrincourt Gassed 15th of September 1917 "B" Sap Hit   16th September 1917 Church Parade 16th of September 1917 Cosy Copse Shelled   17th of September 1917 German Parties Dispersed   18th of September 1917 A Night Firing Programme   19th Sep 1917 Football  At Ruyaulcourt 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers held Parades, bathing and working parties as usual. The Battalion football team beat the 108th Brigade team by two goals to one after a good tussle. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2 19th of September 1917 Six Direct Hits   20th September 1917 Back to Somme and Cambrai 20th of September 1917 An Habitual Deserter   21st Sep 1917 Reliefs   21st of September 1917  Three Shoots Undertaken   22nd of September 1917  Havrincourt Shelled 23rd Sep 1917 Patrols 23rd of September 1917 A Recon Patrol 24th Sep 1917 Quiet 24th of September 1917 Germans Relieved 25th Sep 1917 Artillery in Action 25th of September 1917 A Quiet Day   26th of September 1917 Wire-cutting TMs   27th of September 1917 Enemy Guns Busy   28th of September 1917 Enemy Parties   29th Sep 1917 Relief  9th Royal Irish Fusiliers moved into the Brigade Reserve at Ruyaulcourt P.15.b.9.8, with relief by 12th Royal Irish Rifles being completed at about 8pm. A very quiet day. One Other Rank was slightly wounded during the day and total casualties in 9th Irish Fusiliers for the tour of duty was three killed, one died of wounds and one wounded. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers diary WO 95/2505/2 29th of September 1917 Quiet Time 30th of September 1917 Battle Narrative   1st October 1917 Somme and Cambrai 1st of October 1917 New Trenches Targetted 2nd of October 1917 A POW   3rd of October 1917 Patrols Clash   4th of October 1917 Active Patrols   5th of October 1917 Havrincourt Gassed   5th of November 1917 A Booby Trap Found   6th of October 1917 Skirmishing 7th October 1917 Daily Activity 7th of October 1917 A German "Visit"   8th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood K.31.c.0.0. Corps have ordered all Battalions to be continually on the offensive while holding the line. Consequently the Battalion will organize patrols nightly (weather permitting) and raids will be carried out at fixed periods. Owing to very bad weather no patrols went out on night of 7/8. Very quiet in the line, afternoon and night very wet and the men got a special issue of rum. War Diaries 8th of October 1917 A Quiet Day 9th October 1917 Daily Activity 9th of October 1917 POW Captured   10th October 1917 Daily Activity 10th of October 1917 Accounts of Patrols   11th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood K.31.c.0.0. Quiet day. Major Ferguson left Headquarters to go to Rouen to check Battalion Records at 3rd Echelon. B Company relieved D Company at R.3 and A Company relieved C Company on Yorkshire Bank. War Diaries 11th of October 1917 Quiet Day 12th October 1917 Daily Activity 12th of October 1917 Dummy Raid   13th October 1917 Daily Activity 13th of October 1917 Enemy's Wire Cut   14th October 1917 Daily Activity 14th of October 1917 Two Casualties   15th October 1917 Daily Activity 15th of October 1917 Boggart Hole Mortared   16th October 1917 Daily Activity 16th of October 1917 Howitzers Disperse Parties 17th October 1917 Daily Activity 17th of October 1917 Havrincourt Shelled   18th October 1917 Daily Activity 18th of October 1917 Our Patrol Withdraws   19th October 1917 Improvements 19th of October 1917 Wire-cutting TMs   20th October 1917 Daily Activity 20th of October 1917 Wire Blown Up   21st October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Church Parades were held in the morning and Rugby football in the afternoon (first practice). A very fine day. The following decorations have been awarded for gallantry in the field at Ypres on 16th August 1917: Military Cross. Captain T.F Given Captain R.S Flood Captain O.V Burrows Royal Army Medical Corps Regimental Sergeant Major C.H Turner Distinguished Conduct Medal. 17545 Sergeant S Carvell; Military Medal. 13971 Sergeant J Adams, 14555 Sergeant J McCullough 14720 Sergeant A Jurkington, 16117 Acting Corporal R.W Knaggs 14748 Lance Corporal Whiteside S, 23926 Private Shanks C 20353 Private Rogers J, 24174 Lance Corporal Jackson E 22562 Private Steele G, 14154 Private Elliott J 14566 Private McCormick R.J, 15864 Private Lynn W.J, 14447 Private Morton J. These awards were announced on 4th October 1917. War Diaries 21st of October 1917 Quiet Day 22nd October 1917 Daily Activity 22nd of October 1917  Intense MG Fire   23rd October 1917 Daily Activity 23rd of October 1917  "A Neat Capture"   23rd of October 1917 Reliefs 24th October 1917 Daily Activity 24th of October 1917 Thermits Hit Havrincourt   25th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. a quiet day in the line. On the night of 25/26 Oct., our fighting patrols dislodged the enemy from Wigan Copse and the rifle pits to north of it at 0200. War Diaries 25th of October 1917 Three Men Lost   26th October 1917 Daily Activity 26th of October 1917 Enemy Party Attacked 27th October 1917 Daily Activity 27th of October 1917 Our Gun Positions Hit   28th October 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. A quiet day in the line. Our artillery was active during both day and night. Some Bosche seen in Dean Copse were dispersed by our Lewis Gun fire. Weather good with bright moonlight nights. War Diaries 28th of October 1917 A Three-hour Shoot   29th October 1917 Daily Activity 29th of October 1917 TMs Night Firing   30th October 1917 Daily Activity 30th of October 1917 Two Deserters   31st October 1917 Daily Activity 31st of October 1917 Active MGs   1st November 1917 Reliefs 1st November 1917 Battle of Cambrai   1st of November 1917  400 shells   2nd November 1917 Daily Activity 2nd of November 1917 A POW Dies   3rd November 1917 9th Irish Fusilers form working parties  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Ruyaulcourt. With A & B Companies on working parties today. At 1630 C Company left Ruyaulcourt and marched up to the line to carry out a raid. The enemy's front line was successfully penetrated from the Canal (K.26.d.05.95) to about 150 yards east of it. The fighting was very severe as the enemy refused to surrender. Our men stayed in the enemy trenches for twenty minutes and bayoneted and shot at least forty Germans. We suffered some casualties, mostly from bombs: one Officer severely wounded, one Officer slightly wounded; one NCO killed, three Other Ranks missing believed killed, thirteen Other Ranks wounded, one R.E [Royal Engineer] (NCO) severely wounded. War Diaries 3rd of November 1917 A Successful Raid   4th November 1917 Daily Activity 4th of November 1917 Our Trenches Damaged   5th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ruyaulcourt. The new ante-room at Battalion Headquarters was lined with canvas and made more comfortable. The whole Battalion with exception of C Company were on working parties. War Diaries 6th of November 1917 TMs and MGs Target Gaps 7th November 1917 Departure for France  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ruyaulcourt. A and B Companies carried out scale of parades. C and D Companies were on working parties. War Diaries 7th of November 1917 A Deserter POW   8th November 1917 Daily Activity 8th of November 1917 Enemy Shelling 9th November 1917 Daily Activity 9th of November 1917 Patrols in No Man's Land 10th November 1917 Daily Activity 10th of November 1917 Gaps in Enemy Wire   11th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. Battalion in the line. Quiet day. No enemy activity. War Diaries 11th of November 1917 Germans "Nervous" 12th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. Battalion in the line. War Diaries 12th of November 1917  Heavy Mist Obscures   13th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. Battalion in the line. Yorkshire Bank shelled by 5.9 inch guns and trench mortars. War Diaries 13th of November 1917 German Airman Captured   14th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. Battalion in the line. Enemy trench mortar fire on Yorkshire Bank in reply to our pigs who were firing on front line and Havringcourt. Casualties: Three Other Ranks killed, one Other Rank severely wounded. War Diaries 14th of November 1917 Wire Cutting by TMs 15th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood. Battalion in the line. Several heavy machine gun Officers reconnoitering the Battalion left sub-sector otherwise a quiet day. War Diaries 15th of November 1917  Enemy Outposts Found 16th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Havrincourt Wood K.31.c.0.0. Battalion in the line. No enemy activity. Several heavy machine gun Officers reconnoitering round the line. Our heavy trench mortars very active firing on enemy front line and west of Havrincourt. War Diaries 16th of November 1917 Antrim Post Hit   17th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Relieved by 2/5th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at 2200. Battalion marched to Bertincourt less one Platoon of C Company who were left behind to form an outpost for 2/5 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on Yorkshire Bank. War Diaries 17th of November 1917 108th Brigade Relieved 18th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Barastre O.16 (centre). Battalion moved from Bertincourt and is comfortably encamped in Adrian and Nissen Huts and tents. War Diaries 18th of November 1917 Enemy Capture Six Men   19th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Velu Wood J.31.c (centre). Battalion inspected in the morning by the Commanding Officer at Barastre. Moved at 1630 to Headquarters in Velu Wood (on eve of push). The following 'immediate awards' have been notified by Brigade as result of our Havrincourt raid on 3rd inst. Military Medal 18869 Corporal Mackinson, Henry. 41327 Private Morrison, John. 41256 Private Chambers, Thomas. 41534 Private Averell, Robert. 23438 Corporal Craig, George. War Diaries 19th of November 1917 Enemy Patrols Active 20th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Maxwell Avenue K.25.d.9.9. The Division (109th Brigade) moved to the attack at 0620 with 107th and 108th Brigades in support. Battalion 'details' remain in Velu Wood under command of Major J.G Brew and Transport at Hermies Slag Heap. 2nd Lieutenant E.J.L Turner, Transport Officer, returned from leave. The Battalion moved to a position 500 yards north-east of Velu Wood at 0820. At 1400 the Battalion moved from this position to Broken Bridge for dinner. At 1530 moved to R.3. The Battalion went into dugouts at 2040 for the night. War Diaries 20th of November 1917  IV Corps Attack   21st November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Battalion moved from R.3 at 1500 to enemies old lines near Lock 7 where it slept for the night in dugouts. War Diaries 21st of November 1917 Some Advances Made   22nd November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Moeuvres. The Battalion moved up at 0630 to a position north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road arriving at 0830. Here the Battalion waited for an order to attack Inchi when Moeuvres was taken by the 12th Royal Irish Rifles. At 1145 the 12th Royal Irish Rifles captured village of Moeuvres. It was unable to clear trenches east of village. At 1730 the Battalion moved up to support the 12th Royal Irish Rifles in the village of Moeuvres. At 1745 the 12th Royal Irish Rifles were reported to have been driven out of the village. At 2030 the Battalion less D Company counter attacked the village of Moeuvres, but was driven back to trenches immediately south of the village, where it took up a defensive position for the night. War Diaries 22nd of November 1917 The Attack Renewed   23rd November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Moeuvres. The Battalion attacked Moeuvres at 1030. At 1100 the Battalion reported to be in the village. At 1145 the enemy counter attacked from trenches west of village and by 1315pm the counter attack was driven off. At 1630 the village was evacuated by the Battalion on account of supports not coming up. At 1700 C and D Companies took up position on Sunken Road, south of the village while A and B companies went back to the trenches north of Bapaume and Cambrai Road. Casualties for 22nd and 23rd: Officers killed one; Officers wounded six; Other Ranks 82 casualties. War Diaries 23rd of November 1917 The Attack Continues   24th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion relieved in the trenches by the 11th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at dawn. Proceeded to Hermies for rest and reorganisation. War Diaries 24th of November 1917 The Enemy Counter-attacks   25th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion resting at Hermies. War Diaries 25th of November 1917 Bourlon Changes Hands   26th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Hermies. At 1830 the Battalion moved from Hermies to Beaumetz. At 2030 the Battalion arrived at Beaumetz and was put into tents for the night. War Diaries 26th of November 1917 108th Brigade Extend Line   27th November 1917 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers On the Move  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers left Beaumetz and moved to Rocquigny, arriving at 2030. War Diaries 27th of November 1917 Two Brigades Relieved 28th November 1917 At Rest  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are resting in Rocquigny. 'A' Company was bathed and had a clean change. War Diaries 28th of November 1917 Nil to Report 29th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Rocquigny. Battalion entrained at Ytres at 2030 for Beaumetz south of Arras. Battalion detrained at Beaumetz at 0245 on November 30th and marched to billets at Simencourt, arriving at 0320. War Diaries 29th of November 1917 A Corps Transfer 30th November 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Simencourt. The Battalion left Simencourt at 1400 for Gomincourt, arriving at 1930. War Diaries 30th of November 1917 A March to Bapaume   31st of November 1917 Snow and Frost 1st December 1917 Retreat from Cambrai   1st December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Gomincourt. The Battalion left Gomincourt at 1200 for Rocquigny and arrived at 1930. War Diaries 1st of December 1917 A Tiring March   2nd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Rocquigny. The Battalion left Rocquigny for Metz-le-Coutre, arrived at Metz 1430 and billeted for the night. War Diaries 2nd of December 1917 Germans Make Gains 3rd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Metz-le-Coutre. The Battalion left Metz at 2000 and moved up to the line to support the 88th Brigade south of Marcoing. They arrived in the support trenches at 0530 the 4th December. War Diaries 3rd of December 1917 Move at Short Notice   4th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Trenches south of Marcoing. The Battalion is in the trenches south of Marcoing in support of 88th Brigade. They relieved the Essex and Hants Battalions in the front line at 0430. War Diaries 4th of December 1917 More Moves 5th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Trenches south of Marcoing. Battalion in the line. Captain Flood was killed at 0900 by shrapnel. War Diaries 5th of December 1917 A Relief 6th December 1917 In the Line  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers are in Trenches south of Marcoing. Battalion in the line with two Companies in front line, one in support and one in reserve for use as Battalion counter-attack Company. Enemy shelling position very heavily. Five casualties, four Other Ranks. 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers War Diaries 6th of December 1917  Seven POWs   7th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Trenches south of Marcoing. Battalion in line with Enemy artillery very active, particularly at 1430 when he attacked on our right. Eight casualties to Other Ranks. War Diaries 7th of December 1917 Attacks and Counter-attacks 8th Dec 1917 Aeroplanes Active  9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers are in trenches south of Marcoing, with heavy shelling by enemy. Enemy aeroplanes very active over our lines, flying very low. Relieved by 12th Royal Irish Rifles at 10.30pm. Fine day. While in front line 9th Battalion Irish Fusiliers improved trenches, made latrines, wired in front of trenches, and salved several articles of war. The suffered five casualties to Other Ranks. The Battalion goes into Brigade support on being relieved, less D Company who relieved the Buffs and King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in communication trench running north and south from front line. War Diaries 8th of December 1917 The Enemy Tries Again 9th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. South of Marcoing. Battalion in Brigade support. War Diaries 9th of December 1917 Taking Over 10th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. South of Marcoing. One-hundred and sixty Other Ranks and four Officers for a working party, carrying up wire to front line. This work in assisting 16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles the Divisions Pioneer Battalion. War Diaries 10th of December 1917 Aerial Attracks "Great"   11th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. South of Marcoing. Battalion in Brigade support. There were four Officers and 100 Other Ranks on a carrying party from 1630 to 0200(12th December 1917). War Diaries 11th of December 1917  Enemy Repulsed 12th December 1917 Daily Activity  South of Marcoing 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. are in Brigade support on being relieved by 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in the line at dusk. C Company on right. B Company on outpost line. A Company on left. D Company in support. War Diaries 12th of December 1917 A Tired Division 13th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. South of Marcoing. Captured a prisoner at 0430 of the 6th (Reserve Infantry Regiment). Battalion stood to at 0530 to meet a rumoured attack at 0630. Word received from Division Headquarters at 0330 that the enemy was to attack in great force at 0630. No attack however took place. War Diaries 13th of December 1917 A Possible Attack 14th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. South of Marcoing. Battalion in the line. Two Other Ranks casualties. War Diaries 14th of December 1917 Harassing the Enemy 14th of December 1917 A Relief 15th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. are South of Marcoing. Battalion is in the line. D Company relieved B Company in the outpost line. One Officer 2nd Lieutenant Bray and three Other Ranks casualties. War Diaries 15th of December 1917 A Corps Transfer 16th Dec 1917 Post Stormed  9th (North Irish Horse) Btn., Royal Irish Fusiliers. report from South of Marcoing: German post stormed by our patrol at 1700 with Gunner bayoneted and machine gun captured. His identification secured (6th Division Reserve Infantry Regiment). Lieutenant Caulfield, 7th Somersets, buried by our Battalion. Trench very much improved and more wire put out. Relieved by 7th Royal Fusiliers at 2100 and marched to Metz. Fifty rifles salved and several thousand rounds of small arms ammunition, also boxes of grenades salved, cleaned and put under cover. War Diaries 16th of December 1917 Enemy MG Captured 17th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Metz-le-Coutre. Left Metz at 1200 for Etricourt. Billeted in tents at Etricourt. War Diaries 17th of December 1917 A Snowstorm 18th December 1917 move to Mezieres 18th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Etricourt. Entrained at Etricourt for Mondicourt. Detrained at Mondicourt and marched through deep snow to our billets in the village of Coullemont. The heavy snow delayed our transport, which did not arrive till midnight. War Diaries 18th of December 1917 A 60-mile March 19th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Working parties out with Forty Other Ranks and one Officer from each Company clearing the road from Coullemont to Couterelle of snow. This work continued to 1630. War Diaries 19th of December 1917 Deep Snow Drifts 20th December 1917 Cleaning Up  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Coullemont. Men working under Company arrangements. Cleaning up. War Diaries 20th of December 1917 Another Move Mooted 21st December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Under Company arrangements. Inspection of arms and equipment. War Diaries 21st of December 1917  Frost and Work 22nd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Battalion Parade by Companies. Scale of parades from 0915 to 1230. 'A' Company bathed in the afternoon. War Diaries 22nd of December 1917 More Snow 23rd December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Battalion paraded at 10.30am for Divine Service at Humbercourt. War Diaries 24th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Battalion Parade by Companies. Scale of parades as on the 22nd. B Company bathed during the afternoon. War Diaries 24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 25th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Battalion paraded for Divine Services at 1000. Christmas dinners by Companies between 1300 and 1500. The Commanding Officer was present at each Company dinner. Snowed heavily during the evening. War Diaries 25th of December 1917 A Thaw 26th of December 1917 Still Freezing 27th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. Each Company furnished a working party of forty Other Ranks and one Officer from A and D Companies to sandbag the aerodrome near Mondicourt. War Diaries 27th of December 1917  Difficult Conditions 28th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Coullemont. The Battalion leaves Coullemont, march off at 0530 and Entrained at Mondicourt 0900. They arrived in Boves at 1330 and march to billets in the village. Snow fell during the evening. War Diaries 29th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Boves. Working party in afternoon clearing snow off road from Boves station to cross roads at St Nicholas. The Train loaded with Battalion transport snowed up and did not arrive till midnight. The unloading party consisting of A Company did not arrive in billets till 2am 30/12/17. Captain Despard and an NCO proceed to 5th Army Infantry School at Toutencourt. War Diaries 30th December 1917 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Boves. Battalion paraded at 1145 for Divine Service in the 4th Corps School Cinema hall. War Diaries 30th of December 1917 Thaw Sets In 31st Dec 1917 Parades and demonstration.  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Boves. Battalion paraded under Company arrangements at 0930, principally for kit inspections. Demonstration by 4th Corps School of the improved musketry instruction at 1000. One Officer and one NCO per Company attended also the Intelligence Officer. Route march in the afternoon, parade ready to move off at 1400. War Diaries 1st January 1918 Mezieres and Grand Seracourt - defensive preparations  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. The Battalion left its billets at 0330 on the 29th December and entrained at 0900 in Monticourt. It detrained in Moreuil (44 miles) and marched to Mezieres (2 miles). The 30th December was a rest day and on the 31st December the Transport section, which had travelled by road, arrived. Whilst resting from pioneering work, infantry training took place from 1st to 5th January with 100 men leaving as replacements to other Royal Irish Rifles Battalions. (50 to 15th RIR, and 25 each to 14th and 10th RIR). 99 men of B1 Status arrived as replacements, B1 meaning fit for manual work but not for front line combat. On the 7th January the Battalion moved to Caix (5 miles) for infantry training from 8th to 11th January and then on 12th Jan. to Campion (7 miles) with rest on 13th Jan. On 14th January they moved to dugouts north of Grand Seracourt (19 miles) followed by two days bathing. All these moves were in conjunction with the gradual takeover of French positions by the 36th Division. Naturally the tasks that followed were to strengthen and improve defensive positions for the 6000 yards front which the Division had to control in a southwards direction to St. Quentin. The first task was road repairs in St Simon which took from 17th to 18th Jan. for 1 and 2 companies. On the 19th Jan. HQ moved to Grand Seracourt and work commenced on widening and deepening trenches which had been poorly constructed by the French. The companies were employed from the 19th to the 31st Jan. on the following work: 1 and 2 Companies at L’Epine de Dallon. 3 Company at Boyeau de Station. 4 Company at Boyeau de Contescourt. Battalion Strength - January 1918 Jan 1st Officers 43 Other ranks 903 Jan 31st Officers 43 Other ranks 879 Casualties Other rank 1 died from wounds. The Terrors by SN White 1st January 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers at Boves  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers in rest billets, at Boves, carrying out training programme. War Diaries 1st of January 1918 Rest and Training 7th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Marcelcave. Moved from Boves to Marcelcave, 14 kilometres, over ground thickly covered with snow. The following decorations have been awarded by the Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief, under authority delegated him by the King: The Military Cross Temporary Captain C.B Despard, D Company, 2nd Lieutenant J.H Partridge B Company (Intelligence Officer);[17] Distinguished Conduct Medal Corporal H Roe, A Company, Company Quartermaster Sergeant G Robinson, D Company, Company Sergeant Major T Vennard, B Company.[18] War Diaries 7th of January 1918 Moves Underway 8th of January 1918 Nothing to Report 9th of January 1918 On the Move 10th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Marcelcave. Moved to Rosieres, 11 kilometres. War Diaries 10th of January 1918 More Moves 11th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Rosieres. Moved to Carrèpuits, 15 kilometres, through shell-shattered country. War Diaries 11th of January 1918 Division Moves 12th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Strength: 39 Officers, 868 Other Ranks, 39 horses, 16 mules. Increase: Lieutenant R.I McCrum, 2nd Lieutenant Pollock, 2nd Lieutenant Leahy, 2nd Lieutenant Donaldson. War Diaries 12th of January 1918 A New Div HQ 13th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Moved to Villeselve, 20 kilometres. Lieutenant G.W Vesey, A Company, awarded Military Cross 2nd Lieutenant A.A Andrews struck off strength; Sergeant J.A Henry, C Company, and Lance Corporal A.G.H Clarke, C Company, both awarded Military Medal. 36th Division relieved 6th French Division, 108th Brigade in reserve. War Diaries 13th of January 1918 Relief and More Moves   14th of January 1918 Relieving the French   15th of January 1918 Two Enemy Patrols 16th of January 1918 Quiet Day 17th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Villeselve. 0800 Moved to Grand Seraucourt, 13 kilometres, to reserve billets, 4 kilometres behind line. Carrying out wiring and intensive digging training. War Diaries 17th of January 1918 Another Quiet Day 18th of January 1918 Enemy Barrage   19th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Grand Seraucourt. Sheet 66cNW 1/20,000. Strength: 39 Officers, 866 Other Ranks, 39 horses, 16 mules. Decrease: Two Other Ranks. War Diaries 19th of January 1918 Enemy Artillery Active 20th of January 1918 Hostile Patrol Dispersed   21st January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Grand Seraucourt. Major A Ferguson awarded Military Cross. No.14040 Sergeant Barton, H, C Company, awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal. War Diaries 21st of January 1918 A German Display 21st Jan 1918 Course 22nd January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Grand Seraucourt. 22nd to 24th Jan. Four-hundred men digging cable trench between Artemps and Grand Seraucourt. War Diaries 22nd of January 1918 Patrols   23rd of January 1918 Aerial Activity   24th of January 1918  Uneventful Day 25th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. [25-28 January] Grand Seraucourt. Battalion digging reserve trench between Contescourt and Essigny le Grand. War Diaries 25th of January 1918 Poor Visibility 26th January 1916 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Strength: Forty Officers, 849 Other Ranks, 39 horses, 16 mules. Decrease: Seventeen Other Ranks. Chaplain H.S Bally, Church of England (vice Chaplain S Mayes, Church of England, returned to England). War Diaries 26th of January 1918 Dense Fog 27th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 1000 the Divisional Commander presented ribbons of decoration awarded from the recent operations at Moeuvres. At 1400. Beat 16 Royal Irish Rifles at football, 5 goals to 1. War Diaries 27th of January 1918 Foggy Day 28th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 1700 the 108th Infantry Brigade relieves 109th Infantry Brigade in the right sector on January 28-30th. Boundaries of Right Brigade Sector: Right B.17.c.6.7, B.22.a.5.0 to Essigny Station. Left, Boyau de Moulins (inclusive to Left Brigade) Boyau de Contescourt (inclusive to Left Brigade). Boundary between Battalions B.9.c.9.5 to B.15.a.7.5. Brigade on right flank, 41st Infantry Brigade;left, 107th Infantry Brigade. B.25.a/26.a. Battalion moves to Brigade support in relief of 9 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Transport to Artemps. War Diaries 28th of January 1918 Photo Recon 29th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. B.22.a Centre. 1700hrs. Battalion moves to line in relief of 14th Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizens) in Right Battalion Sector. Boundaries: Right B.16.d.5.4, left B.9.c.8.1. Dispositions: A and C Companies in line. Boundary between Companies B.10.c.6.3; B Company Counter attack in dugouts, Headquarters, B.16.d.1.4; D Company Passive defence in dugouts, Headquarters, B.22.a Central. Relief carried out successfully, notwithstanding condition of trenches very bad, having fallen in partly owing to weather and partly to want of attention. Wiring plentiful. Distance between enemy and our front line averages 1,000 yards. War Diaries 29th of January 1918 Relief and Mist 30th January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Situation quiet, apart from enemy aircraft, during the night bombing. War Diaries 30th of January 1918 A Lost German 31st January 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. B.9.d.9.1. 5.30am. German shot about fifty yards in front of A Company. He belonged to 5th Grenadier Regiment, 36th Division. From 1400 to 1600 the Battalion and Company Headquarters were fired on with 105mm shells. War Diaries 31st of January 1918 Visibility Impossible   1st February 1918 Grand Seracourt - defensive work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. From the 1st to 22nd February work was allocated as follows: 1 Company Contescourt Alley Communication trench, deepening and widening to 8 feet deep, 6feet wide at top and 3feet wide at bottom with trench boards laid and dugouts constructed. 2 and 4 Companies, the construction of a strong point at L’Epine de Dallon. 3 Company Station Alley Communication trench to be deepened and widened to same dimensions as Contescourt and trench boards laid. There were some moves during this period for similar work at Jeanne d’Arc strong point. On the 23rd February work commenced on a series of strong points in the forward zone at Jeanne d’Arc, Grugies and Boadicea. On the 24th February Battalions were reduced from 4 to 3 companies and Brigades from 4 Battalions to 3. This change of establishment worked well for the Pioneers as 4 company personnel were distributed between the other 3 companies, but the Infantry Brigades were less fortunate as the surplus battalions were removed from their brigades and formed into Entrenchment Units and thus separated from those they had fought alongside. Battalion Strength February 1918 1st Feb. Officers 43 Other ranks 890 28th Feb. Officers 43 Other ranks 898 Casualties No casualties reported. The Terrors by SN White 1st February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Sheet 66cNW 1/20,000 App.101. Line. At 2230 Patrol left our line at B.17.a.3.2. No enemy encountered. Another one left at B.8.c.91.25 and found old front line filled in in many places. War Diaries 1st of February 1918 An Inspection 2nd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Strength: Forty Officers, 846 Other Ranks, 38 horses, 16 mules. Increase: Three Other Ranks. Decrease: One horse. War Diaries 2nd of February 1918 Fine Weather 3rd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Our heavies fired on the enemy reserve lines during afternoon. Enemy, Fourteen 105mm high explosives fired on B14c and d, wounding two men, one man wounded by Lewis Gun fire in B16a, during night. War Diaries 3rd of February 1918 Urvillers Shelled 4th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 1030. Six enemy 105mm high explosives fired on B13d. We made a reconnaissance of our wire from B.17.a.1.2 to B.17.a.4.2 and found it in good order. Emplacement at B.17.a.8.7 destroyed by our shelling. 1730. Relieved by 12 Royal Irish Rifles and moved to Brigade support B.20.c with one Company at B.15.c. War Diaries 4th of February 1918 Reorganisation Begins 5th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Awards: Croix de Guerre (Belgian) to Corporal E.A Godeon (MC) and Acting Corporal W Knaggs (MM), D Company. Decoration Militaire to 14388 Private Stewart, T, B Company. War Diaries 5th of February 1918 German Observers 5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 6th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 6-8 February 1918 Occasional enemy shelling. Casualties, two wounded. War Diaries 6th of February 1918 New Battalion Arrives 7th of February 1918 Movements and Shelling 8th of February 1918 Battalions Transferred 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 9th of February 1918 Enemy Movement 10th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Front quiet except for occasional shelling. One man wounded by enemy sniper. War Diaries 10th of February 1918 Reorganisation Complete 11th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 1730. Major Brew, Commanding, Padre and Orderly Room Staff moved to B.20.c.1.1. Captain M Henehan MC remaining as acting second-in-command. War Diaries 11th of February 1918 Working Parties Dispersed 12th of February 1918 Gas Shellling 13th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 13-15 February 1918 Activity mostly in artillery, air and sniping. Occasional bursts of 5.9 inch shells on rear Battalion Headquarters at B.20.c.1.1. Large numbers of enemy aircraft passed over during nights and bombed back areas. Four men wounded by enemy snipers. War Diaries 13th of February 1918  Working Party Takes Casualties   13th Feb 1918 Personnel 14th of February 1918 A Boundary Extended   15th of February 1918 An Anticipated Attack 16th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Effective strength: 46 Officers, 1,066 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 16 mules. Increase: Draft from 7/8th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers on disbandment. A Company, 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway, 2nd Lieutenant A Wilding MC, 2nd Lieutenant T Bremner; B Company, 2nd Lieutenant W.F Reid, 2nd Lieutenant D Miller; C Company, 2nd Lieutenant G Hardy, 2nd Lieutenant J Darling, 2nd Lieutenant J Benson; D Company, 2nd Lieutenant W.H Roche; Other Ranks, 213. War Diaries 16th of February 1918 An Aircraft Downed 17th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 17-18 February 1918 Patrols nightly in No man's land but no enemy encountered and wire found good. Officers in enemy front line seen observing our lines through glasses. War Diaries 17th of February 1918 Patrols See No Enemy 18th of February 1918 Enemy Guns Register   19th February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly returned from leave and resumed command. Major Brew at three days conference with President Corps Commander Sir Ivor H Maxse. One man killed and one wounded. War Diaries 19th of February 1918 A Newspaper Delivery 20th of February 1918 Line Movements 21st February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 2nd Lieutenant G.E Scott wounded with small splinter and remained at duty. War Diaries 21st of February 1918 Germans Still Looking 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 22nd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. On night 22/23rd the Division Front was reorganised, with one Battalion of each Brigade in the line. Brigade boundaries as follows: (a)Right as at present, (b) between left and centre Brigades: junction of Cabal Trench and old front line (B.8.c.90.60), B.14.a.15.77, A.18.c.10.00, A.16.c.05.70. (c) between right and centre Brigades: Junction of Borellier Trench and St Quentin, Vendeuil Road (B.10.c.60.40), B.15.a.70.00, A.29.a.9.6, G.4 Central. (d) left boundary: Canal. Dispositions: The disposition of Brigades from right to left: 108, 107, 109th. 108 Brigade Garrisons 'C' Subsector of the Battle Zone. Left sub-sector: at 1730 the Battalion was relieved as follows: All posts west of boundary between centre and left Brigades, by 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Remainder of Battalion (including) C Company (passive resistance) by 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles about 1900. The Battalion on relief moved to Brigade Reserve at Grand Seraucourt. War Diaries 22nd of February 1918 Five Enemy Killed   23rd February 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 23rd to 28th Feb 1918 Grand Seraucourt. Training and working on cable and other trenches in Battle Zone. February Effective strength: 47 Officers, 1,071 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 16 mules. Increase: Captain C.J Brennan (from 10th Reserve Battalion), 2nd Lieutenant Slatter, T (from 7/8th Battalion), 5 Other Ranks. Decrease: Major A Ferguson MC (ordered Medical Board, England). War Diaries 23rd of February 1918 A Sniper Scores 24th of February 1918 German Observation 25th of February 1918 Nil to Report 26th of February 1918 A Courageous German   27th of February 1918 2,000 Germans Move 28th of February 1918 A "State of Preparation" 1st March 1918 Grand Seracourt - defensive work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. (Guidance note next page is on 21st March 1918.) March 1st to 20th. Work continued on defensive dugouts and strong points as follows: 1 Company - dugouts at Gaugies and Boadicea. 2 Company - wiring and construction of elephant shelters at Boadicea. 3 Company - wiring and construction of elephant shelters at Jeanne d’Arc and wiring at Giffecourt. The Allied High Command had knowledge of an imminent German offensive but no idea of when and where it might take place hence the concentrated efforts to improve defences to counter any such action. The Terrors by SN White 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 1st of March 1918 Man Missing   2nd March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 2 March Essigny Station. Working on defences of Battle Zone daily until 7th March Effective strength: Officers 46, Other Ranks 1083, horses 36, mules 16. Decrease: Captain J Grant (Medical Board, England). Increase: Twelve Other Ranks. War Diaries 2nd of March 1918 A Newspaper Drop 3rd of March 1918 Night Firing 4th of March 1918 A Curious Incident 5th of March 1918 Group Concentrations 6th of March 1918 Bombardment Continues 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 7th of March 1918 A New Salient Spotted 8th of March 1918 50 Gas Shells 9th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 9 March - Patrolling and wiring nightly until 14th March. Our artillery lively cutting enemy wire and sweeping likely places of assembly for enemy attack. Enemy artillery unusually quiet. Great aerial activity owing to fine weather and visibility. One enemy aircraft brought down on enemy line opposite left Battalion front. 1500 9th March Enemy machine gun captured without opposition by 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway and three Other Ranks from position at B.17.a.9.8. Effective strength: Officers 46, Other Ranks 1076, horses 36, mules 16. Decrease: Seven Other Ranks. War Diaries 9th of March 1918 A Daring Raid 10th of March 1918  Enemy Retaliates   11th of March 1918 Night Retaliation 12th of March 1918 German Offensive Indicated 13th of March 1918 British Propaganda 14th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 2000. Relieved by 12th Royal Irish Rifles and moved to Grand Seraucourt in reserve. War Diaries 14th of March 1918 Loud Explosions   15th of March 1918 An Hour's Shelling 16th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Effective strength: Officers 45, Other Ranks 1058, horses 37, mules 18. Increase: Horses 1, mules 2. Decrease: Officer 1, 2nd Lieutenant W.G Greenaway transferred to Royal Flying Corps, England; Other Ranks 18. War Diaries 16th of March 1918 Enemy's "Quietude" Noted 17th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Grand Seraucourt. St Patrick's Day. Sunday. Church Parade in morning and sports in evening. War Diaries 17th of March 1918 Our Lines Examined 18th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 18-20 March 1918 Intensive training, by Platoons, in morning. Specialist training in evening. War Diaries 18th of March 1918 Two Deserters 19th of March 1918 Hostile TMs Targetted 20th of March 1918 Special Bombardment 21st March 1918 German Offensive 1918  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. All the recent work of the Pioneers was to no avail as the decisive enemy attack launched on the 21st March overran the flanks of the 36th Division leaving the continued defence of their positions both untenable and pointless. A disorganised retreat to the old 1916 defensive lines took place over a ten day period. The 36th division retained its cohesion in the retreat which was very difficult over open and exposed areas in full view of the enemy. The recent infantry training which the pioneers had received now came to their assistance as they were attached to the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and fought beside them in defensive positions during the retreat. They eventually reached safety and were evacuated to Gamaches on the Normandy coast. The severity of battalion losses are shown by the end of March statistics Battalion strength, March 1918. 1st Mar Officers 43 Other ranks 819 31st Mar Officers 20 Other ranks 449 Showing a loss of 23 officers and 370 other ranks. These figures include a total of 9 officers and 150 men missing at the Jeanne d’Arc Redoubts with, presumably many captured. It is also known that a further 9 officers and 28 men were killed leaving a total of 5 officers and 192 men who fell during the retreat. March Casualties. Killed Officers 1 Other ranks 25 Died from wounds Officers 1 Other ranks 2 Wounded Officers 7 Other ranks (not reported) Missing Officers 10 Other ranks 150 Balance unaccounted Officers 4 Other ranks 193 Overall Officers 23 Other ranks 370 Summary of Battalion Activity from 21st to 31st March 1918. The Battalion was divided into two groups during the fighting retreat. Group A under the command of Major WJ Allen. Group B under the command of Captain J maxwell. In 10 days, a total of 240 hours the men in A Group had been involved for at least 112 hours in activities demanding intense physical effort and emotional stress. The figure for B Group was 114 hours. The following is an account of the daily activities during the retreat from 21, 31 March showing how intense the activity was at times. Over 10 days in a total of 240 hrs: Group A 112 hours actively involved. Group B 114 hours actively involved. 16 Bn Royal Irish Rifles(P) in 1918 Retreat - Details as follows: Date Hours Location Function Mar21 3 NW Gd Seracourt Move to RV 1 RV Move St Simon 4 Working there 21/22 1 St Simon Move Ollezy(night) Mar22 1 Ollezy Move to Estouilly 9 Move to Eaucourt Sommette and Work Mar23 12 Eau-Sommette Fighting with 9RIrF 23/24 6 Sommette to Villeselve Fighting withdrawal Mar24 22 Villeselve Fighting 24/25 4 Villeselve via Guiscard Move by night to Bealieu Mar25 5 Beaulieu via Avricourt Move to Warsy Mar26 1 Warsy 9 Erches-Bouchoir Move into trenches Mar27 8 Erches-Bouchoir Fighting in trenches 4 Arvillers A Group position 15 Arvillers B Group position 4 Arvillers, Sourdon Move A Group 28Mar 1 Arvillers Fighting B Group 4 Arvillers, Sourdon Move B Group 10 Coullemelle Move and work A Group Mar29 1 Sourdon, Chaussoy Move B Group Mar30 8 Saleux via Velennes Move A Group 8 Move B Group The Battalion arrived in Gamaches on the Normandy coast by the 31st March and were in a very sorry state after all their constructive efforts followed by the devastating German attack and the hardship endured physically in the subsequent retreat together with the emotional stress of witnessing the loss of so many friends and colleagues. Yet more reverses were to be encountered further testing the resolve of the 16th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) before the long path to peace in late 1918. The Terrors by SN White 21st March 1918 Start of German Offensive.  At 2am. 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Intensive enemy barrage opened on our positions, for a depth of from 4 to 6 kilometres." At 0600 enemy attacked and Battalion moved to Brigade Headquarters just east of village. 2nd Lieutenant Prenter and four Other Ranks killed. 2nd Lieutenant Perkins and 16 Platoon missing. Part of 2 Platoons of A Company missing. War Diaries 21st of March 1918 "Man Battle Stations"   22nd March 1918   9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers fell back on Halpincourt, where we remained during the day, falling back on Ollizey in the evening. War Diaries 22nd of March 1918 Three Brigades Withdrawn   23rd of March 1918 A Serious Gap   24th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Remained at Fleuesle for the day, and fell back on Guiscard, remaining there for the night. Captain Partridge MC killed and Captain Vesey MC wounded during night. War Diaries 24th of March 1918 Troops Withdraw   25th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 25-26 March 1918 Fell back through Busse to Avrilcourt and then marched via Tilloloy, Popincourt, Grivillers, Marquivillers, Guerbigny to Erches, arriving at 1100 on morning of 26th. Lewis Guns were sent by lorry previous night. Major Brew and details went into line in front of Erches. Remainder of Battalion under Captain Despard MC formed reserves west of Erches. War Diaries 25th of March 1918 Under French Orders 26th of March 1918 Holding the Line   27th March 1918 Enemy Attack  The enemy attacked and the Royal Irish Rifles fell back on 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers in reserve, who fell back with same to a position south of Arvillers, and then south of the village, where they remained the night. War Diaries 27th of March 1918 Heavy Fighting   28th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. This party under Captains Despard, Crosbie and Dean, and 2nd Lieutenant Davison, fell back, by orders, through Hangesy-en-Santerre, Plessier, Rosainvillers, Moreuil, Mailly-Raineval, Sourdon, remaining there the night. War Diaries 28th of March 1918 Enemy Breaks Through 29th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Marched from Sourdon, via Ailly-sur-Noye, Jumel to Taisnil. War Diaries 29th of March 1918 A Move Completed 30th March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Marched from Taisnil to Sauleul [Salouël] and remained the night. War Diaries 30th of March 1918 Another Move 31st March 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Entrained from Sauleux [Saleux] to Eu and marched to St Quentain-le-Mott. War Diaries 31st of March 1918 Account of Operations   1st April 1918 Relocations   German positions in April 1918 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Ypres and St Jans Capel. On the 1st April the Battalion arrived by train at Gamaches about 7 ½ miles from the Normandy coast and marched about 5 miles towards the coast to billets at Oust Marest. The transport moved by road. The next 2 days were spent on rest and bathing. The 36th Ulster Division were needed back in the Ypres area and on the 4th April the Pioneers moved to Eu (2 miles) and entrained for an overnight journey to Rexpoede, close to the Belgian frontier about 13 miles north west of Poperinghe. Arriving at 0500 they then moved by lorry to Brake Camp and then on 7th April to Turco Camp with transport moving to Murat Camp. The next two days were spent on refitting and infantry training. Refitting was a term covering reissue of equipment lost in the retreat and some reinforcements, though only about 49 at this stage, who would need training in pioneering skills. A larger draft of some 300 men arrived on the 12/13 April keeping Officers and Senior NCOs busy allocating them to companies and absorbing them into Battalion training on the 14th April. The German offensive still continued to make progress and several more divisional moves took place to defend remaining areas still in Allied hands. The divisional withdrawals continued to more defensive positions on 15th April and the next week was fairly quiet. The Germans had recaptured Mount Kemmel and some surrounding areas but had not threatened Ypres and other high ground around Mount Kemmel were still held providing some advantage. A plan showing the limit of the German advance at this stage of the war is available from this page. Battalion strength 1 April Officers 20 ORs 449 30 April Officers 33 ORs 943 Casualties April 1918 Killed/Died of Wounds Officers nil ORs 12 Wounded Officers nil ORs 7 The Terrors by SN White 1st April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. St Quentain-Le-Mott. Marched to Ault and had general clean up, some bathing. War Diaries 1st of April 1918 A Reorganisation 2nd April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 2-3 April 1918 Training parades War Diaries 2nd of April 1918 Warning Order Received   3rd of April 1918 On the Move   4th April 1918 On the Move.  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers entrained at Eu for Rexpoede at 2am travelling by motor lorries to Herzeele. War Diaries 4th Apr 1918 Orders 4th of April 1918 An Appreciation 5th April 1918 Parades  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Training parades; two Companies at baths in morning and two in afternoon. Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly returned from Hospital to Battalion." War Diaries 5th of April 1918 Command of the Line   6th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Inspection of Brigade by II Corps Commander. War Diaries 6th Apr 1918 Relief Complete 6th of April 1918 A Difficult Relief 7th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Church Parade. War Diaries 7th of April 1918 Nothing to Report 8th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training parades. Effective strength: 22 Officers, 728 Other Ranks, 37 horses, 22 mules. Ration strength: 16 Officers, 547 Other Ranks, 41 horses, 22 mules. War Diaries 8th of April 1918 A Move Postponed 9th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers to Siege Camp No.4  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers entrained at Herzeele 0900 for Poperinghe. On arrival marched to Siege Camp No.IV War Diaries 9th of April 1918 The Enemy Attacks   10th April 1918 Defense  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers travel by motor lorries to Kemmel and set up to man Kemmel defenses at Lindenhoek Corner. War Diaries 10th of April 1918 Move to Kemmel   11th April 1918 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers endure shelling  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers defend Kemmel to Messines Ridge. Headquarters at Stinking Farm. Heavy enemy shelling. War Diaries 11th of April 1918 A Quiet Day   12th April 1918 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers near Wulverghem  At 0200 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers moved to near Wulverghem with Headquarters at N Midland Farm. Enemy attacked, pressing back our line. Counter attack completely restored position. Casualties heavy, including Medical Officer, Lieutenants Hamilton, Hardy and Miller killed. Captain Dean, Lieutenants Turner and Orr wounded. War Diaries 12th of April 1918 Heavy Fighting   13th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiilers relieved  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are relieved by Sherwood Foresters at midnight. War Diaries 13th of April 1918 The Enemy is Held 14th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers on Kemmel defences  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved back to Kemmel defences. War Diaries 14th of April 1918 A Withdrawal   15th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 0900. Moved to Regent Street dugouts. C Company manned outpost positions and was attacked. Captain Crosbie wounded and died same day. War Diaries 15th of April 1918 Canal Bank Shelled   16th April 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers move to Clydesdale Camp  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers moved back to Clydesdale Camp at midnight for rest and reorganisation. War Diaries 16th of April 1918  Poelcappelle Shelled   17th of April 1918 Two POWs 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 18th of April 1918 Relief for Some   18th of April 1918 Enemy Post Raided   19th of April 1918 A Successful Raid   20th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Colonel Kelly evacuated to Hospital with shrapnel wound. Reorganisation and training parades. Ration strength: 11 Officers, 489 Other Ranks, 40 horses, 22 mules War Diaries 20th of April 1918 Some Night Shelling 21st of April 1918 Patrol Fighting   22nd April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Major G.M Forde MC assumed command War Diaries 22nd of April 1918 Movement Observed   23rd April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Four Officers and about thirty Other Ranks reinforce. War Diaries 23rd of April 1918 Ypres Shelled 24th of April 1918 Quiet Enemy 25th of April 1918 Heavy Attacks 26th of April 1918 Kemmel Hill Lost   27th April 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 27th to 30th April 1918. 0400. Move to Yellow Line, Headquarters at Border Camp. Working on defences and training till end of month. Effective strength: 29 Officers, 651 Other Ranks, 35 horses, 22 mules. Ration strength: 24 Officers, 507 Other Ranks, 35 horses, 22 mules. War Diaries 27th of April 1918 Heavy Shelling   28th of April 1918 A Small Operation   29th of April 1918 A Bloody Repulse 30th of April 1918 Comparative Quiet   30th of April 1918 Aeroplanes Active 30th of April 1918 Reports   1st May 1918 Ypres and St Jan Capel Sector  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. On the 1st of May the Battalion was located as follows: HQ and No.3 Company at Caribou Camp. Nos. 1 and 2 Companies at Some Camp. The whole of May was taken up with preparations to resist further German advances so defence works in considerable depth were commenced. This involved dismantling what were previously rest camps in rear areas but now part of the battle zone, and storing materials for use elsewhere. So No.1 Company continued defence work around Brielen while No.2 Company were dismantling huts at Siege Camp and No. 3 Company was repairing Rum and Allen tracks from Canal Bank to the Vlamintinghe- Elverdinghe Line as well as dismantling huts at Siege Junction. From 16th to 18th May No.3 Company was engaged in wiring near Siege Camp. On the 19th it went back to Rum and Allen tracks to strengthen bridges for artillery to cross also a platoon to dismantle huts near Canal Bank north of Ypres. On the 28th May No. 2 Company started work on a new defence line for Vlamertinghe to Elverdinghe as well as helping No. 3 Company. The month ended with the companies still on these tasks. Training was also carried out on Lewis gun, Signalling and Wiring with some courses attended at Army and Corps Training Schools. Battalion Strength: 1st May Officers 33 ORs 943 31st May Officers 34 ORs 1030 Casualties None Reported. The Terrors by SN White 1st May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Sheet 28 NW E.6.b, 1/20,000. Yellow Line. Working on defences and training specialists during day. Line manned by skeleton forces by night. Dispositions: Two Corps in line, one support and one reserve. Right boundary Dirty Bucket Corner, left Alexandra Farm. Flanking units: right 12 Royal Irish Rifles. left Belgian Cyclist Battalion. War Diaries 1st of May 1918 Back Areas Shelled 2nd of May 1918 Active Enemy Shelling   3rd May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers team beat Belgian team at football by four goals to nil. War Diaries 3rd of May 1918 Strong German Post   4th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 1700. Moved to Green Line, in relief of 12 Royal Irish Rifles. War Diaries 4th of May 1918 Two POWs   5th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Defences worked on by day and manned by night. Brigade specialist classes commenced at transport lines, International Corner. Effective strength: 32 Officers, 673 Other Ranks, 35 horses and 20 mules. Ration strength: 27 Officers, 530 Other Ranks, 39 horses and 20 mules. Dispositions: Four Companies in line, Middlesex Battalion on right Belgian Battalion on left." War Diaries 5th of May 1918 A POW Taken   6th of May 1918 Two POWs Captured   7th of May 1918 Harassing Fire 8th of May 1918 Long-range Shelling 9th of May 1918 An Extended Front 10th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 1700. Battalion relieved by 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and moved back to Yellow Line. Billets in (Steentje?) Camp. Headquarters at Fa(?). Work and training continued. War Diaries 10th of May 1918 Three POWs 12th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Church Parades in evening. Effective strength: 34 Officers, 678 Other Ranks, 33 horses and 21 mules. Ration strength: 39 Officers, 609 Other Ranks, 37 horses and 21 mules. Increase: Lieutenant E.A Godson (MC), Lieutenant K Morrow (TO). War Diaries 13th of May 1918 Enemy Balloons 14th of May 1918 An Plane Downed 15th of May 1918 Reconnoitre Patrol   16th of May 1918 Gas Concentrations 17th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Sheet 28NW E.6.b 1/20,000. Yellow Line. 2000. Relieved 2nd Royal Irish Rifles in Brigade Reserve in front system Left Brigade Sector. Dispositions: right front, C Company; left front, B Company; support, A and D Companies with Headquarters in Canal bank. Flanking units: right, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; left, Belgian Battalion. Relief completed about 12 midnight. Working on defences by night only, to avoid observation. Enemy activity confined to shelling, probably meant for batteries west of canal. One fatal casualty in A Company. Brilliant sunshine and intense heat during six-day tour. War Diaries 17th of May 1918 Harassing Fire   18th May 1918 Strength  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Effective strength: 34 Officers, 935 Other Ranks, 32 horses, 21 mules. Ration strength: 27 Officers, 646 Other Ranks, 36 horses, 21 mules. Increase: 235 Other Ranks. Decrease: 1 horse. War Diaries 18th of May 1918 Quiet Day 19th of May 1918 Some Hostile Shellling 20th of May 1918 Quiet Day 21st of May 1918 One Man Missing   22nd of May 1918 Enemy Quiet   23rd May 1918 Reliefs  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers are in Brigade Reserve, at Canal Bank. 2100. Relieved 12th Royal Irish Rifles, in right sub-sector, front system. Dispositions: right front, A Company; left front, C Company and one Platoon D Company. D Company (three Platoons). Reserve: B Company. Headquarters: Hill Top Farm. Flanking units: Right, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; left, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers. Relief passed off satisfactorily. At 2330 the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and raided one of their posts. Otherwise the night passed quietly. War Diaries 23rd of May 1918 Quiet Day   24th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ref Special Sheet, St Julien 6B 1/10,000. Right sector front line. Owing to bad observation the day passed very quietly. During the night our patrols investigated the vicinity of Von Hugel Farm and Cheddar Villa. No signs of enemy were encountered. The night passed unusually quietly, probably owing to a suspected relief. War Diaries 24th of May 1918 An Enemy Raid   25th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The day passed quietly. At 0330 and 1630 C.22.e was lightly shelled by 4.5 inch howitzers east sector of our lines at 1115 and were unsuccessfully engaged. Nothing of importance occurred during the day. War Diaries 25th of May 1918 Enemy Post Located   26th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Our own artillery showed increased activity throughout the day without drawing hostile retaliation. A fighting patrol of two Officers and twelve Other Ranks failed to discover any trace of the enemy between Jasper and Rat Farms. Enemy machine-guns were lightly active during the night on roads and tracks. War Diaries 26th of May 1918 Pond Farm Gassed   27th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 0230 hostile bombardment commenced on left of Brigade front and spread north where the enemy attempted to raid the Belgians at 0300 on our left. With the exception of a few shells on Wietje at about 0300, hostile artillery inactive on this front. Our own artillery was active during the day and replied vigorously to enemy bombardment in the morning. A fighting patrol failed to discover traces of the enemy west of Jasper Farm. At 2310 the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers on our left raided an enemy post near C.17.c.45.45, but found the garrison had cleared. Our artillery continued the bombardment till 2340. 6" Stokes Mortar assisted. During the operation a fire was observed in Rat Farm. Absence of hostile machine-gun fire, artillery retaliation and Verey Lights was marked. War Diaries 27th of May 1918 An Empty Post   28th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Right sub-sector front line Hill Top. At 0530 hostile artillery shelled the Battalion on our left, apparently in retaliation for the raid. Owing to excellent visibility there was great aerial activity during the morning and many observation balloons were up. The day passed quietly. War Diaries 28th of May 1918 A Lost Soldier   29th May 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The day passed quietly on this front. The Battalion was relieved in the right sub-sector by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, 107th Infantry Brigade, and on relief moved by light railway to Hospital Farm Camp. In spite of hostile shelling on the entraining point, no casualties were suffered during the relief. Total casualties during this tour: 3 Other Ranks died of wounds, 2 wounded, 1 self-inflicted, 1 W-(?)-D. Fighting strength: 34 Officers, 974 Other Ranks. On relief the 108th Infantry Brigade moved into Divisional Reserve. War Diaries 29th of May 1918 Nothing to Report 30th May 1918 9th Irish Fusiliers at Hospital Farm  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Hospital Farm. The day was spent in cleaning up etc. War Diaries 30th of May 1918 A Quiet Day 31st May 1918 Working Parties  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse), Royal Irish Fusiliers are at Hospital Farm in Divisional Reserve. Provided working party of two Companies on Green Line. Two Companies training. The whole Battalion was bathed during the day. Major R.G Kerr MC reported his arrival and assumed duties of Second-in-Command. War Diaries 31st of May 1918 Four POWs 1st June 1918 Recuperation and Training  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. For the first three days these tasks continued. On the 3rd June 36 Division was placed in II Corps Reserve and the 16th Pioneers moved to the west of Poperinghe. For the Division it was a month of recuperation and training of young replacement soldiers. The Division had also to provide labour for defensive works consisting of 1/3rd infantry and 2/3rd pioneers. Defence in depth was formidable with 4 lines between Ypres and Poperinghe each six miles apart (Brielen, Green, Yellow and Blue Lines). The Battalion work and training lists for June 1918. Date Green Blue Training 5, 8 2 Coy. 1 Coy. 3 Coy. 9 Sunday, no work 10, 12 3 Coy. 3 Coy. 1 and 2 Coys. 13 1 Coy. 2 Coy. 3 Coy. 14, 15 1 and 2 Coys. 3 Coy. 16 Sunday, no work 17, 22 1 and 2 Coys. 3 Coy. 23 Sunday, no work 24, 25 1 and 2 Coys. 3 Coy. 26, 30 1 and 3 Coys. 2 Coy. 1, 2 July 1 and 3 Coys. 2 Coy. Green line was already well advanced hence little work needed in June. A lot of this was breastwork (sandbags or earthworks) due to the high water table with the nearby waterways. Blue line needed a lot more work with beehive shelters and clearing a 300 yard field of fire area in front together with wiring. Training carried out was infantry training of all types with emphasis on Lewis gun and musketry. Battalion Statistics 1 June Officers 32 ORs 1034 30 June Officers 32 ORs 1087 Casualties one unexplained OR casualty as no contact with enemy reported. The Terrors by SN White 1st June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ref sheet, local sheet, 27 NE 3A 1/20000. Hospital Farm. Divisional Reserve. Specialists classes for Lewis Gunners, Signallers and Section leaders with remainder of Battalion working on Green Line from 0600 to 1200 under Royal Engineers. The afternoon and evening spent in recreation. War Diaries 1st of June 1918 Usual Morning Fire   2nd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Hospital Farm. Divisional Reserve. Church Parades in the morning followed by a cleaning up parade for every man in the Battalion. War Diaries 2nd of June 1918 Patrol Bombed   3rd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. The Battalion was relieved in Divisional Reserve by a Battalion of a Belgian Division. On relief the Battalion moved to Proven. Battalion Headquarters at F.1.d.1.5. War Diaries 3rd of June 1918 A Relief 4th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. Battalion remained at Proven. Company training in the morning. 1400 Commanding Officer's parade. w 4th of June 1918 Relief Completed 5th June 1918   9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. The whole Battalion with the exception of specialist classes entrained at 0430 for work on the East Poperinghe rail line, returning at 1430. The afternoon was spent in recreation. Lieutenant McCausland reported his arrival. 5th of June 1918 Another Relief 6th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. Battalion working parties as usual entrained at 0430. War Diaries 6th of June 1918 Belgians Take Over 7th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. Battalion working parties as usual entrained at 4.30am. Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Barbour awarded the Military Cross for good work since the Division came to France. War Diaries 7th of June 1918 Training and Work 8th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. Battalion working parties as usual. War Diaries 9th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Proven. F.1.d.1.5. Church Parades during the morning. At 1130 the General Officer Commanding 36th Division inspected the Battalion in drill order and presented medal ribbons. A portion of the camp was also inspected. A draft of 127 Other Ranks was received during the last two days. The afternoon was spent in recreation. War Diaries 10th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion working parties entrained as usual at 0430. Strength: 34 Officers, 974 Other Ranks Ration strength: 23 Officers, 781 Other Ranks. War Diaries 11th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 11th - 12th Jun. Working parties as usual. War Diaries 13th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Road Camp. E.25.d.2.5. The Battalion moved to Road Camp. War Diaries 13th of June 1918 Brigade Relief 14th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Army Commander inspected the 108th Infantry Brigade at 1130. Parade strength of the Battalion was 21 Officers, 568 Other Ranks. The Companies bathed during the afternoon. The Divisional Commander gave a lecture to all Officers in the 108th Infantry Brigade at 1700. War Diaries 14th of June 1918 An Inspection 15th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Bois St Acaire. The Battalion moved to Bois St Acaire training area, each Company working as an advance guard to a Battalion. War Diaries 15th of June 1918 Training and Working 16th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Church Parade. Details of the Battalion bathed. Afternoon was spent in recreation. War Diaries 17th June 1918 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers train  17-19 June 1918 9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers war diary records: Company training including bayonet fighting and musketry. One Company each morning on the range. Specialists classes in the afternoon for Lewis Gunners, Scouts, Signallers, Section Commanders, etc. The range open for voluntary shooting practice in the the evening. War Diaries 19th of June 1918 Reliefs 20th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ref Local Sheet 27 NE 1/10000. Bois St Acaire. Training continued as on previous days. War Diaries 20th of June 1918 Training 21st June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training continued as on previous days, each Company carrying out a flag attack. A successful Battalion concert held in the evening. War Diaries 22nd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. During the morning a practice attack was carried out by the Battalion. The Battalion during the afternoon moved to Road Camp. War Diaries 23rd June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Road Camp. Church Parades. Lecture to all Officers on aerial photography. Afternoon was spent in recreation. War Diaries 24th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. During the morning a practice flagged attack was carried out by the Battalion on Flying Ground at Proven. During the afternoon Battalion bathed. War Diaries 25th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Battalion moved to the musketry camp, Cormette, by train from Proven to St Omer. Strength 30 Officers, 670 Other Ranks. War Diaries 25th of June 1918 Musketry, Work, Training 26th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Cormette. Battalion paraded at 0900 for physical drill. Lecture by Commanding Officer to all Officers and Section Commanders from 0910. From 1100 to 1400 on range for firing. Gas lecture by Division Gas Officer in afternoon. War Diaries 26th of June 1918 Working and Training 27th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. In the morning Battalion carried out a tactical scheme on 'C' training area from 0800 to 1200. Football match at 1400 against 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers. From 1600 - 1900 Battalion on the range. A successful concert was held in the evening. War Diaries 28th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ref Hazebrouck 5A. Special Sheet 27 NE local ed. 5A 1/20000. Cormette. Battalion tactical exercise in the morning from 0800 to 1300. Three Companies attacked the enemy outpost line on the Zudausques, St Martin-au-Laert Road. One Company represented the enemy. From 2130 to 0100 the Battalion carried out a night outpost scheme, with three Companies holding an outpost line outside Leuline and Etrehem, one Company attacking. Lieutenants Dobbyn MC and A.S Galloway, 2nd Lieutenant F.S Bale reported for duty. War Diaries 29th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion parade from 0830 to 1000 for drill. On the range from 1100 until 1400. All details carried out a snap shooting practice at 1500. At 1425 the Battalion paraded in walking out order and marched into St Omer, where they were dismissed until 2030. Teas were provided and the outing proved a great success. 2nd Lieutenant McFarland reported for duty. War Diaries 30th June 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The 108th Infantry Brigade moved back to the Proven area, entraining at St Omer at 9am. Brigade transport moved by road. On arrival the Battalion was billeted in Peterborough Camp. Battalion Headquarters F.1.c.80.30. Strength: 30 Officers, 957 Other Ranks Ration strength 29 Officers, 800 Other Ranks. Awards during the month: Distinguished Conduct Medal - 23566 Sergeant R.J McBride. Military Medal - 41414 Private B Wasson, 41329 Private B McCarley, 14474 Sergeant W.J Mitchell, 14393 Private W Kelly, 43201 Private G.F Miller. War Diaries 30th of June 1918 Reliefs 1st July 1918 St Jans Capel Sector  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. St Jans Capel Sector. Having completed a lot of defensive preparation as usual an unexpected move took place for the Division with a move to take over French positions further to the South. The Division was moved into reserve behind the French XVI Corps before taking over from the French 41st Division on the outskirts of Bailleul and the 16th moved into billets in the vicinity of St Sylvestre Cappel. From the 4th to 6t July was spent in billet inspections, infantry training and specialist training on Lewis gun, signalling and bombing. On the 7th the Battalion moved to the St Jans Capel sector and half of Companies 2 and 3 were moved into billets south east of Mont des Cals. Work from 8th to 18th July was as follows: No.1 Company, Infantry training which it had missed during June. No.2 Company Forward Half, Communication tranches and wiring. No.2 Company Rear Half, Infantry training. No.3 Company Forward Half, also in support area on dugouts, deepening and revetting trenches, completing Machine Gun Emplacement and Wiring. No.3 Company Rear Half, Infantry training. Work continued in other locations until the 29th July. On the night of 23/24th July posts at Mont Noir were shelled (gas) resulting in 1 officer and 28 other ranks being wounded. No.1 Company working in the forward area was also shelled. Battalion strength: 1st July Officers 32 ORs 1087 31st July Officers 33 ORs 1054 Officers Killed nil wounded 2 Other ranks Killed nil Wounded 35 The Terrors by SN White 1st July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Map Ref 27 NE Local 1/20000 L Sheet 27 Sheet 28. Proven. Divisional Horse Show was held on the ground of the aerodrome at Proven on account of the fine weather and proved a great success. A large percentage of the Battalion attended. War Diaries 1st of July 1918 Horse Show 2nd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion on working parties. Four companies working on East Poperinghe Line. Approximate strength of working parties 430. Working parties on completion of work march to Road Camp E.25.d.20.50. War Diaries 2nd of July 1918  Orders Issued 3rd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Road Camp. Battalion moves to Le Carreaux area, route St-Jan-Ter-Biezen, K.17, K.16.b.8.6, K.27, Steenvoorde. Area taken over from the French 79th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Nonebosche. War Diaries 3rd of July 1918 In Reserve   4th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. NoneBosche Area. Training continued under Company Commanders from 0900 to 1215. Afternoon recreational. War Diaries 4th of July 1918 Artillery Moves 5th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training as on the 4th inst. Specialist training under instructors. War Diaries 5th of July 1918 Another Order 6th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion parade in morning at 0930. Echelon B in rear of each Company. 2nd Lieutenant Ross C.Q. taken over duty as Battalion Intelligence Officer. Battalion in the evening relieved the Reserve Battalion of the 42nd Infantry Regiment (French) in the vicinity of Piebrouck. Route Godewaerswelde, Q.18.a.50.7, Piebrouck. Parade 2300 ready to move. Strength: Officers 19, Other Ranks 592. Battalion details move to Ecke area, billeted together with details of 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers and 12th Royal Irish Rifles. Strength: Officers 6, Other Ranks 97. War Diaries 6th of July 1918 Reliefs 7th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Piebrouck (Reserve). Battalion in the evening relieved a Battalion of the 23rd French Regiment in the Hoogenacker sector. Relief was completed without disturbance at about 0200. Remainder of night passed quietly. War Diaries 7th of July 1918 More Reliefs 8th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Hoogenacker (Left sub-sector). The day was quiet, except for aircraft activity. At night enemy machine-guns were fairly active firing on reserve positions. Enemy transport heard quite plainly. War Diaries 8th of July 1918 Sector Command 9th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Aircraft very active. A paper gas balloon was dropped over enemy's lines. At night usual machine-gun firing with some trench mortars. War Diaries 9th of July 1918 A Portuguese POW 10th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Day and night passed off quietly. Nothing else of importance. War Diaries 10th of July 1918  Four Patrols Out   11th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary activity. While reconnoitering front line with Colonel Lowe, Major Kerr was killed at 0100. War Diaries 11th of July 1918 Enemy Quiet   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 12th of July 1918 Enemy Movement Noted   13th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont Noir. Men engaged on work parties on defence lines, working partly by day and by night. War Diaries 13th of July 1918 A Plane Down   14th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Same programme as previous day. Small red balloon with propaganda matter dropped from enemy aeroplane. War Diaries 14th of July 1918 Mont Noir Gassed   15th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Enemy guns active. Numerous shells dropping during day especially in Quarry causing two casualties. War Diaries 15th of July 1918 Heavy Bombardment   16th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Everything normal. Enemy artillery active at Quarry. At midnight 12th Royal Irish Rifles attempted to raid enemy unsuccessfully. A heavy barrage was laid on enemy lines to which he replied feebly. War Diaries 16th of July 1918 Numerous Casualties   17th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 0300 [17 July] enemy raided 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers. The relief intended to take place was cancelled. At midnight everybody stood to in anticipation of enemy attack which, however, did not happen. Our artillery were very active throughout the night. Major Tamplin joined the Battalion at Mont Noir. Relief took place at night of 12th Royal Irish Rifles in right sector (Meulehouck). Strength: 19 Officers, 565 Other Ranks. War Diaries 17th of July 1918 Harassing Fire 18th of July 1918 Abnormal Movement 19th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Meulehouck (right of left sub-sector). 0800. The 9th Division on our right captured Meteren. Enemy retaliation was slight. One hit with small shell on Battalion Headquarters. The night was fairly quiet with light artillery activity. War Diaries 19th of July 1918  POW Captured   20th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Artillery chiefly engaged on back areas. Day and night passed quietly. War Diaries 20th of July 1918 Night Patrols   21st July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Maps, 28 Bailleul & Berthen 1/10000 (Edition 1 B local). Meulehouck (right of left sub-sector). Day and night normal. War Diaries 21st of July 1918 POW Captured   22nd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 0045. B Company under Captain Murphy DCM MC and 2nd Lieutenants Reynolds, Leahy, Radcliffe and McFarlane with No.15 Platoon of D Company raided Shoddy Farm. One prisoner was captured and thirty others were estimated to be killed. Our casualties: Two Officers and five Other Ranks missing with eleven slightly wounded. The enemy put down a machine-gun barrage followed by artillery support while the party was in No Man's Land. We also captured two light machine-guns, one of which was lost through the carrier becoming a casualty. During day and following night ordinary activity on either side. A Platoon patrolled at night in search of missing men with no success. War Diaries 22nd of July 1918 Bailleul Bombarded 23rd July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Day was quiet. Same patrol at night but no bodies were found. The Battalion was relieved by the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and moved with the remainder of Brigade into Divisional Reserve at Spotterke (R.15.d.10.70). Total casualties: 2 Officers and 4 Other Ranks missing, 11 wounded. War Diaries 23rd of July 1918 A Sentry Captured   24th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ref sheet 28 Berthen 1/10000. Spotterke. No movement is made in daylight as camp is under observation. Battalion engaged on work at night on Berthen defences. Company Quartermaster Sergeant Kemp from 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joins the Battalion as 2nd Lieutenant. War Diaries 24th of July 1918 Reinforcements Arrive 25th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Normal during day. At night the Battalions go to Baths at Berthen. War Diaries 25th of July 1918 Heavy Shelling   26th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Enemy guns more active especially at night. Lewis Gunners fire their guns for testing and practice. Between 2300 and midnight the enemy shell our camp, getting a direct hit on the Medical tent. War Diaries 26th of July 1918 Poor Visibility 27th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont des Cats. Battalion shifted camp in small parties to R.13.d.85.75 which is not in view from enemy lines, and billeted in various houses, dugouts and tents so that movement can be made in daylight. No work was done at night. War Diaries 27th of July 1918 Enemy Relief Confirmed   28th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Church Parade was held in the afternoon and part of Battalion bathed at transport lines. Battalion engaged on usual work party at night. War Diaries 28th of July 1918 Artillery Activity 29th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Lewis Gun Section from each Company fire at improvised range in the morning. Lecture given by the Commanding Officer in the afternoon. One Company is allowed off usual work party in order to do some training on following day. War Diaries 29th of July 1918 Patrol Surrounded   30th July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont des Cats. Different Lewis Gun Sections fire at range. 'A' Company carries on with training during day. Usual work party at night. War Diaries 30th of July 1918 Warning Order Issued 31st July 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual parades and work parties. Men with revolvers are given instruction in use of same, carrying out firing practice. Awards during the month: Military Medal, 13658 Sergeant R Johnston, 43447 Private Pye, E; Bar to Military Medal, 13971 Sergeant J Adams. Strength: 35 Officers, 973 Other Ranks. Total casualties during the month: 1 Officer killed, 2 Officers missing; 3 Other Ranks killed, 40 Other Ranks wounded, 5 Other Ranks missing. War Diaries 31st of July 1918 Another Order 1st August 1918 Striking Back at the enemy  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. St Jans Capel. Work continued in the St Jans Capel sector into August. No.1 Company was detailed with maintenance and repairs of the following roads: Fontaine, Berthen, Berthen, Schaexken, Rossignol, Piebrouk, Piebrouk, Berthen and Staines House roads. No.3 Company was tasked with constructing mined dugouts near Rossignol, for the Medical Dressing Station and Brigade HQ. It was also responsible for deepening, duck-boarding and wiring trenches as part of Blue Line. These tasks continued with a number of variations until 21st August. By now the German offensive seemed to have ground to a halt and indeed great Allied offensives had been launched further south. Employing tanks and with long sought after Artillery superiority Rawlinsons 4th British Army together with the First French Army commenced an offensive along the Amiens, Roye road with advances being made in the area of Chateau Thierry. The First and Third British Armies were driving across the old Somme battlegrounds and again approaching the Hindenburg Line. The turning point for the Second Army at the St Jans Capel sector to go on the offensive had now been reached. The 9th Division had captured Meteren and then the Hoegenecker Ridge south east of Meteren which left the Germans facing the 36th Division in a precarious salient which the Division proposed to push in thus shortening their own defensive line. On the night of 21-22 August the 16th Pioneers were to support an action by the 15th Bn Royal Irish Rifles to straighten the line by the capture of Mural and Wirral Farms. They were to erect a single wire fence in front of newly captured ground. During this they were involved in some fighting and captured an enemy machine gun. Only about 2/3rd of the work was completed and casualties were 8 other ranks wounded. The following night the companies were back on their tasks again. On the 23-24th Nos. 1 and 3 Companies were employed to construct a new front line trench. Casualties were 2 other ranks killed and 3 wounded. Work continued on the night 24/25 August with about 1 mile of trenches completed. The left Brigade attacking with 1st and 9th battalions the Royal Irish Fusiliers advanced the line to the Haegedoorne, Dranontre Road on the 24th August, so on the night of 25, 26th another 500 yards of new trenches were dug and over the next two nights a further 1500 yards were completed. On the morning of the 30th August the 36th Division were to be relieved by the 35th Division but this did not take place as the Germans withdrew from the salient overnight and lit up the night sky with the burning of their equipment as they withdrew. So the 36th had to stay in touch with the active and aggressive pursuit of the enemy. On the 31st of August the pioneers were unsurprisingly opening and repairing roads to keep up with the advance. Battalion strength 1st August Officers 33 ORs 1048 31st August Officers 36 ORs 1022 Casualties Officers Killed 1 Wounded 10 Other Ranks Killed nil Wounded 10 The Terrors by SN White 1st August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Map Reference Sheet 28 Berthen 1/10000. Mont des Cats. One Company carried on with training. Lewis Gun Sections from each Company fired at range and men with revolvers had parade for instruction. At night three Companies were working on Berthen defences. Two men were slightly wounded. In afternoon the Division Band played for two hours. Captain J Gibson joined the Battalion from transport lines. Two men were wounded on working party. War Diaries 1st of August 1918 Four POWs   2nd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual firing of Lewis Guns. Day was wet; causing parades took form of lectures. At night work was done by five Platoons (C Company and No.13 of D). Casualties, two killed, four wounded. War Diaries 2nd of August 1918 TMs Inactive 3rd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training was carried out in forenoon by those Companies who were not working during night and by the whole Battalion in the afternoon from 1300 to 1500. Companies arranged their own programmes of work. At night the usual work party took place. War Diaries 3rd of August 1918 15 Planes Seen   4th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant visited details, Divisional Reception and Reinforcement Camps. Major Tamplin DSO and Lieutenant Richardson with nine Other Ranks attend special Intercessory Service held at Terdeghem in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the outbreak of war. Usual Lewis Gun firing took place in the morning. War Diaries 4th of August 1918 A March Past 5th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont des Cats. Wesleyan and Presbyterians paraded at 1430 for Church with 12th Royal Irish Rifles. Church of Ireland service was held at 1800. No work was done at night. War Diaries 5th of August 1918 A Lecture   6th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion was inspected by the Commanding Officer at 1300. At 1500 a lecture was given by Captain Bless on the war. The lecture was good but the weather bad. Work was done as usual. War Diaries 6th of August 1918 A VC Presentation   7th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary parades took place. Between 2330 and midnight enemy fired about 50 rounds of 5.9 inch shells on battery positions immediately in rear of Battalion area. Our guns retaliated. The usual work was done at night. War Diaries 7th of August 1918 Back Areas Shelled   8th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers report "No training done. At night Battalion relieved the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in right of left sub-sector (Meulehouck). Relief done satisfactorily by 0130. Only one casualty through enemy shelling. Remainder of night passed quietly." War Diaries 8th of August 1918 Brigades Relieved 9th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Reference Sheet 28 Bailleul 1/10000. Meulehouck. Enemy shelled St Jans Cappel with 5.9s throughout day while our guns replied on Bailleul. Our planes very active. Enemy planes seldom crossed our lines. One fired into our trench early in morning. Slight machine gun activity at night. Two patrols were out during night. One was detected at S.2.c.15.20 and fired on. The other under 2nd Lieutenant J Boyd was fired at and bombed from house at S.3.c.10.10, two men being wounded. War Diaries 9th of August 1918 Our Batteries Engaged   10th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 0315 enemy detected at our wire at S.2.d.35.60 but disappeared on fire being opened. Three blasts of whistle were heard from enemy trench soon after. Enemy guns were active on front line in morning. Twenty (5.9s) on S.1.d.6.6, our guns active day and night on enemy rear area. Usual aircraft activity. At 2030 one enemy aircraft was over our line while another was brought down by one of ours. Enemy balloon also brought down in flames south of Bailleul. Patrols were out under Captain J Benson and 2nd Lieutenant Behannah, but did not come into contact with enemy. The latter estimated Shoddy Farm garrison to be forty. At 1830 Lieutenant Dobbyn MC got into enemy trench at S.3.c.8.5 but only found greatcoat and pack. Another patrol under 2nd Lieutenant Burrowes at 1630 got to consolidated shell holes at S.3.c.05.05 where they fired at enemy party. War Diaries 10th of August 1918 Gas Fired   11th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual activity on either side. At 0400 twenty rounds of heavy Trench Mortars were fired on left of sector. At 2300 patrol of 32 Other Ranks under Captain J Benson and 2nd Lieutenant Behannah attempted to raid Shoddy Farm but were attacked in rear and after hand-to-hand fight in which casualties were inflicted on either side, returned. Our casualties, Captain Benson missing, two Other Ranks killed, two wounded. War Diaries 11th of August 1918 King Attends March Past 12th August 1918 Quiet day for 9th Irish Fusiliers  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers war diary records: Enemy artillery very quiet, ours active. Usual enemy plane at 0500 and 2030. Night passed quietly. War Diaries 12th of August 1918 Six Patrols Out   13th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 0310 heavy bombardment by our guns in direction of Locre. The day passed as usual. Between 2200 and 2230 enemy put up ten lights bursting into orange rain, but no apparent result or action. Enemy appeared to be working actively in front lines. Our patrols obtained nothing. Our planes very active bombing at night. War Diaries 13th of August 1918 A German Deserter   14th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At 0130 heavy concentrated bombardment on Bailleul. During day enemy artillery slightly more active. Two of his planes crossed our line at 2030. One returned to his own line, the other surrendered to four of ours, putting out a red flare. He was then escorted back to our own aerodrome. Lieutenant Dobbyn MC with two others got into enemy line at 1715 at S.3.c.9.5, where they killed a German and wounded another. Six others fled. Patrol at night under 2nd Lieutenant C.A Ross was fired on by Machine Guns and bombs. Three Other Ranks were wounded. Remainder of night passed as usual. 2nd Lieutenant H.L Davies joined from transport lines. War Diaries 14th of August 1918 Enemy Post Rushed   15th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Enemy artillery fairly active, shelling St Jans Cappel with 5.9s from 0240 to 0300 and S.2.c.20.50 from 1015 to 1045 with 43 shells of 77mm high velocity. Our artillery was active. At night they fired eight rockets over Bailleul. These are like ordinary Verey lights but much stronger light. From experience it is found that enemy sometimes put up red flares bursting into rain when our patrols are out, as if he has discovered them and so gives warning to sentries. update 77 mm shells were called whiz-bangs. They travelled faster than sound so you heard the whiz of the passing (hopefully!) shell before the sound of the gun which fired it. War Diaries 15th of August 1918 MGs Night Firing 16th Aug 1918 Reliefs  9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers report "Day was ordinary. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles and on relief moved into Brigade reserve at Mont Noir. Relief was completed by 0130. Disposition of Companies: A & D in wood near Woelfhoek, B in Quarry and C in Blue Line." War Diary 9th North Irish Horse 16th of August 1918 An Enemy Raid   17th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Reference Sheet 28 Kemmel 1/10000. Mont Noir. Day was spent in cleaning and inspections. At 2200 two Companies bathed at R.26.d. central. Work was done at tunnel at Battalion Headquarters and salvage at Berthen. War Diaries 17th of August 1918 Six Patrols   18th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont Noir. About 1100 the 9th Division attacked on our right and appeared to get their objectives from observation at Mont Noir. Two Companies bathed at night, while one worked. Number of fires were seen behind enemy lines. War Diaries 18th of August 1918 Lewis Gun Post Hit   19th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. At intervals enemy shelled battery positions behind Mont Noir with 5.9 inch calibre guns. At night one and a half Platoons worked from 2100 to midnight on communication trench to left of Battalion Headquarters, two Platoons daily from 0600 to 1200 on Blue Line. War Diaries 19th of August 1918 Aeroplanes Active   20th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Enemy artillery were active, shelling behind Mont Noir with 5.9s and field guns. The usual work was done. At night the two Platoons on left of Blue Line were relieved by two of D Company. The Brigade on the left made a slight advance, capturing about 70 prisoners. War Diaries 20th of August 1918 Operatonal Support Given 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 21st of August 1918 A "Chinese" Attack 22nd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Preparations are made for attack by us on road from S.3.c to S.8.a. At night the Company in Blue Line was relieved by a Company of the 1st Royal Irish Rifles. At 2330 the front line was bombarded with shells of various calibre and gas. Enemy made an unsuccessful counter-attack on Mural Farm. Working parties at night made dumps of material for consolidating purposes in front line. War Diaries 22nd of August 1918 22 POWs Captured   23rd August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Meulehouck. All NCOs and men instructed in method of attack and final preparations for same were made. At 2030 Battalion moved into the line on right of left sub-sector (Meulehouck) and cut gaps in wire. The night was very quiet on our front but towards Locre the enemy shelled heavily and appeared to attack about 2300. Our artillery opened fire in reply to SOS. War Diaries 23rd of August 1918 Enemy Dispersed   24th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 0230. Enemy re-opened shelling on left for an hour. Our front was very quiet. The morning opened dull and rain fell. Three of our planes flew over the line and one enemy. At 0700 the Companies were in position, A on left, B in centre and D on right. Our barrage opened with machine gun fire and trench mortars. After one minute the artillery barrage started and the Companies moved forward to the attack. After a few minutes the enemy put up lights which were replied to by artillery fire. This fell first upon the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers front but then worked across our own, the shelling being particularly heavy in S.2.d central. Some of our own 18-pounder shells fell very short at S.2.d.80.50. Our smoke barrage was not very heavy, especially on the right. The enemy seemed to be taken by surprise and were more inclined to run than fight. The objectives were reached without much opposition. A and D overran their objectives and had to retire to conform with the line. 'A' Company put up white Verey light at 0720 to signal objective reached. At 0800 the whole objective was taken and consolidation was carried on until 1000. C Company followed on behind B and D as second wave and mopped up. They also helped in consolidation, after which three Platoons came back to our old front line trench as support Company while the other Platoon stayed with B Company. At 0930 our shelling ceased but the smoke barrage continued until 1000. The enemy artillery quietened down considerably. At 1000 contact aeroplane came along while another plane dropped two boxes of Small Arms Ammunition near Soot Farm. There was slight enemy shelling throughout the day on front line area and on the Meulehouck. The 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers obtained their objective also and liaison was established along our line and with the 1st Royal Irish Rifles on our right. At 1500 our artillery opened fire on S.8.a where the enemy were reported to be massing. Enemy planes came over the line and threw out signal lights over the front line position, when the enemy shelling got heavier. At 1830 the enemy put down a smoke barrage behind their front line and in front of Bailleul where they were seen to mass. SOS signalled from front was not seen but one of our planes signalled, upon which our artillery opened fire. The enemy massing had, however, been broken up by Lewis Gun and rifle fire. There was slight enemy shelling during night but nothing further happened. Our own artillery put down counter-preparation at 2300. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and moved into Divisional Reserve at Mont des Cats. Our total casualties in the attack were four Officers wounded, five Other Ranks killed and one believed killed, 53 Other Ranks wounded. We captured 48 prisoners including ten wounded and estimated to have killed at least 70 including one Officer. War Diaries 24th of August 1918 Objectives Taken   25th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont des Cats. The day was spent in cleaning up. Men were paid. Church service was held at 1600. Lieutenant-Colonel P Kelly took over command of Battalion. War Diaries 25th of August 1918 Enemy Quieter 26th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Companies did training from 0900 to midday and from 1330 to 1430. The "Merry Mauves" gave a performance at 1430 in the open air but it was curtailed owing to rain. 2330. At night C Company went on work party to Blue Line but there were no tools available. Enemy put 60 gas shells into Godewaersvelde. The Merry Mauves were the Ulster Divisional Troupe originally called "The Follies" which had been entertaining the troops since early 1916 with very popular concerts. War Diaries 26th of August 1918 Enemy Inactive 27th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Companies did usual training from 0900 to 1200 and from 1330 to 1430. Performance was given by the Divisional Concert Party at 2.30pm. D Company formed the work party at night and were engaged deepening communication trench between Meulehouck and front line. While passing through gas from enemy shells several men were gassed. War Diaries 27th of August 1918 Increased Shelling   28th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The usual training was done, and concert performance. No work was done at night. War Diaries 28th of August 1918 Many Fires Seen   29th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training under Company arrangements in the forenoon and Colonel Kelly addressed the Battalion, congratulating it on the recent success. In the afternoon he addressed the Officers on the training for the coming fortnight when the Division would be out resting. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 15th Sherwood Foresters and moved into Corps Reserve at P.20.a.60.27 via Godewaersvelde, Eecke, and crossroads at P.30.a.05.22. War Diaries 29th of August 1918 Long-range Shellling   30th August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Reference Sheet 27 Belgium and France 1/40000. St Sylvestre Capelle. Arrival was complete at 0400. Companies were paid and inspections were held. Equipment was cleaned. Battalion standing-to all day. Battalion move at 1900 by light railway to Godewaersvelde, thence by march route to billets at Mont des Cats. Relieve 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, relief completed by midnight. War Diaries 30th of August 1918 Enemy Withdraws   31st August 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mont des Cats. Orders for Battalion to move in support of 109th Infantry Brigade. Position taken up our front line trenches of the 24th inst. in front of Moulhouck with Battalion Headquarters at Sammy Farm S.2.a.80.80. War Diaries 31st of August 1918 British Take Mount Kemmel   1st September 1918 The Final Advance  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Although they did not know it at the time, road work was to be the principle task for the Pioneers from now until the end of the war. The great advances that took place released a flood of vehicles onto badly damaged roads and the heavy rain which followed taxed the effort of the men severely. Continuing the road works started on the 31st August the battalion was assigned the following additional tasks 4th September Bailleul, Ravelsburg road as far as Crucifix Corner 7th September Crucifix Corner to Nueve Eglise 12th September Keersebrom towards Bailleul passing Magilligan Camp. In order to get closer to its work the Battalion moved close to Crucifix Corner and dug itself in on banks and fields with heavy rain creating the need for drains and culverts. The weather improved on the 15th and work progress improved until the 19th when the division was finally relieved and on the night of 19, 20th September the 16th Battalion were moved to billet in empty houses at Godewaersvelde. The Final Advance. The plan was for a combined British, Belgian and French force, under the supreme command of the King of the Belgians to ensure coordination, was to launch a massive offensive in Flanders from Voormezeele northwards. The 36th Division was required so the 16th Pioneers found themselves back on familiar ground for the third time but in vastly different circumstances. Secretly and by night the 36th were moved into an area west of Ypres. The 16th having arrived at Godewaeresvelde on the 19/20th September, spent the next two days resting and cleaning equipment for the expected advance. On the 21/22nd they moved to huts and tents at Shrine Camp near Houtquerque about 6 miles northwest of Poperinghe. Once again resting and cleaning. On the 23rd the Battalion moved to nissen huts about a mile from Proven along the road to Poperinghe and Transport moved to a camp about 500 yards away. The day was spent putting up huts from salvaged materials. Next day work started on huts in Courthove and Middlesex Camps, followed by training and removal of screening. Work carried on during 25th and 26th but the men bathed and had clothing fumigated in rotation with the works. The attack commenced on the 28th September. The 36th Division were in reserve, but the battle went so well that they received orders at about 1100 to move forward overnight to carry the attack to the enemy the next day. The Pioneers received orders to move as well and arrived at about midnight in Ypres where they slept in derelict buildings awakening in the morning covered in a layer of snow. On the 29th September the Brigades battled forward in driving rain and the roads were in a terrible state so most of the 30th September for the pioneers was back to road repairs in the vicinity of Black Water Corner. September had no casualties but 20 men were transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Battalion strength: 1st September Officers 36 ORs 1022 30th September Officers 37 ORs 1002 Private Thomas Neill Martin 16/124 was transferred back to the UK and assigned to the Labour Corps (Service No. 648737) due to either illness or being wounded having served to this point from the first enlisted batch of recruits in November 1914 in Lurgan. The Terrors by SN White 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 1st of September 1918 Operations Begin   2nd September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Noordhoek. At 0600 a move was made to vicinity of Grampus Cottage. Battalion Headquarters was made at S.18.b.70.10. Various gun pits and shell holes being used as shelters. The Officers reconnoitered forward positions. At night the enemy shelled frequently with light field guns and 5.9s. 'A' Company had to move their quarters. War Diaries 2nd of September 1918 Operation Continues   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 4th of September 1918 Hill 63 Attacked    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 6th of September 1918 Attack Launched   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 7th of September 1918 A Bomb Drops 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 8th of September 1918  Heavy Shelling 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 9th of September 1918  Two POWs   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 10th of September 1918 Gabion Farm Unoccupied 11th September 1918 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Companies did ordinary training. Remainder of Battalion bathed. War Diaries 11th of September 1918  Harassing Fire   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 12th of September 1918  Enemy Shelling   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 13th of September 1918   Gabion Farm Occupied 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 14th of September 1918 Bomb Casualties   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 15th of September 1918 A German Relief   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 16th of September 1918 1,120 Enemy Shells   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 17th of September 1918 A German Sailor Killed   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 18th of September 1918   MG Post Bombed   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 19th of September 1918  Warning Memo 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 20th of September 1918  Brigades Move   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 21st of September 1918  Artillery Moves 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 22nd of September 1918  MG Btn Moves 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 23rd of September 1918 Reception Camp Moves   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 24th of September 1918 Nil to Report 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 25th of September 1918  Order Issued 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 26th of September 1918 Brigades Move 26th Sep 1918 On the March 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 27th of September 1918 Moves   27th Sep 1918 On the March 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 28th of September 1918 Moves by Rail and Road   28th Sep 1918 Into Position 28th Sep 1918 On the Move   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 29th of September 1918 Terhand Captured 29th Sep 1918 Attack Made 29th Sep 1918 On the Move   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 30th of September 1918 Orders   30th Sep 1918 In Action   1st October 1918 Keeping forward momentum  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. From the initial advance of the Army the roads were jammed with traffic and on the night of 30th September a Captain Walker is quoted as follows regarding the Zonnebeke Road "I had never previously realised the number and variety of vehicles which move in support of three Divisions; indeed I think this road fed only the 9th and 36th Divisions (Note: This supposition is correct). There were limbers by the scores with rations; there were GS wagons with forage for the battalion transports forward; there were R.E. wagons, mess carts, guns and ammunition; there were lorries stuck in shell holes in the road and the cause of most of the trouble. On every bit of ground bordering the road were French cavalrymen. The surface and the language were equally bad and there was mud everywhere. I had to wind my way through these troubles for several miles. During my journey there was practically no movement of traffic" Little wonder that from the 1st October the Pioneers were tasked with this very road from Zonnebeke to Becleare as the road had been bombed around midnight by a single Gotha aircraft. The Battalion also had to send 60 men to help as stretcher bearers for 108th Field Ambulance Brigade. On the 4th October No.2 Company worked on the road from Beclaere southwards and on the night 4/5th 1 and 3 Companies wired about 1200 yards of front line trenches. They were shelled as they left the work and Lt. Dunwoody was killed with 4 other ranks wounded. This is an account by one of the participants in the above operation: "We were in bivouacs, a big tarpaulin, and a dozen of us were sleeping in this place. This night we went up to the front line, there were no trenches really, the Germans were retreating and I suppose were where our fellows had dug in, I think, in the dark --- I remember I drew iron stakes (screw pickets) and some fellow had got barbed wire: and we went along to some place in the dark, we didn’t know where we were. And they must have lined us up, and --- I must have screwed my stakes in. It seemed to be quiet and I was standing there and no one was coming near me, I was expecting fellows to come up with barbed wire you know --- and I was all alone there, nobody about, and I started to move sideways to get in touch with someone, quite dark of course, and I saw movement and I stooped down and here was Second Lieutenant Dunwoody down in a hole and I heard him say ‘Who shot Corporal Smith?’ and I discovered there was a lance corporal standing there and he told me that some fellow had got wounded, he’d been shot in the leg and they didn’t think he could carry on ---" "--- Now there was a wee wayside cottage there, facing onto the road, which seemed to be parallel to where we were putting our wire up and I remember finding another hole and getting down into it. I could see the gable end of this cottage and all our fellows standing there and moving about and while I was sitting there this old machine gun opened up and was hitting the side of the roof of this cottage and I could feel the tiles coming down on the top of my head. However I was alright and I was watching these fellows and they moved on to the road: so I got up and followed them and got on to the road, and they were moving away. I don’t remember speaking to anyone but I was moving too: and suddenly the Germans, who must have had the area nicely targeted, shelled it like anything, and, there was no cover, there were no ditches or anything, there was just the stony country road. I remember throwing myself down flat on the field trying to squeeze myself into the earth. Stuff was flying all over, bits of shrapnel whizzing around, and some fellow got hit and he was shouting out and crying like anything. It eventually stopped and we all got up. I remember that --- we decided he (the wounded man) had been wounded in the face, and I was peering in the dark trying to see what his face looked like and some fellow came along and snapped ‘Leave him alone’, must have been all nerves and excited. However we must have pulled ourselves together and moved off so we got back to our bivouac place and got in and settled down, twelve of us like sardines, and somebody stuck their head in under this tarp(aulin) and said ‘Boys, Dunwoody has been killed’. And the poor fellow, a piece of shrapnel had just hit him in the head and we didn’t know. He was a nice big, boy-scout type of fellow. Just two other fellows had been wounded, the one who had been shot in the leg and the other who had been hit in the face." Transport moved to Potijze that same night to be nearer advancing work areas. No. 2 Company continued on the 5th October while 1 and 2 Companies rested after the overnight work. The next night both companies had to send 50 men to help bringing ammunition forward to the Front. 1 NCO was killed and 2 men wounded. All companies were back on road works from 6th to 12th October with the road from Beclaere to Dadizele becoming very important to maintaining the now rapid advances. The paved road was made good as far as Terhand. On the night of 12/13th parties from each company staked out lines for the next infantry attack and the following night the whole Battalion along with 122 field company R.E. were employed in digging a 3 foot deep by 2 ½ foot wide jumping off trench. Enemy machine gun fire caused two men wounded, one of which died later from his wounds. These trenches were occupied at 0200 on the 14th by 107 Brigade on the right and 109 Brigade on the left ready for the attack which commenced at 0535. The Division attack was directed towards the town of Heule and the Pioneers were involved in several moves to keep up with them and clear/repair roads. On the 16th and 17th the Battalion had to undertake the gruesome task of burials. It had to work its way from the Ledeghem, Menin railway line through the area which had been fought over, burying British and German dead in temporary graves for later internment in official war cemeteries. On the 17th October two members of the band were wounded at the billets by an aircraft bomb. On the 19/20th October the 9th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers crossed the river Lys and a bridgehead was formed served by a pontoon bridge, a trellis bridge and a good permanent footbridge. No. 2 company remained on road works while 1and 3 companies moved up to help the Royal Engineers with bridge building operations. This work was so important that they were occupied in this role for the next 4 days. The programme was: 22nd Oct. 1 and 3 Companies Bridging, HQ and 2 Company. Bathed and changed clothes also preparing clothes for the other companies. 23rd Oct. 1 and 2 Companies Bridging, 3 Company on roadworks, HQ transport and QM stores relocated. 24th Oct. 1 Company Assist RE bridging, 2 and 3 Companies Roads repairs. 25th Oct. 1 and 3 Companies Repairing roads, 3 Company Approaches to bridges. 26th Oct. work as on 25th continued. The 27th October was spent in cleaning gear and equipment with no work being done that day as the 36th Division were to be relieved after dusk that evening. Although they did not know it at the time they had fought their last battle in the war. At 1130 on the 28th October the 16th Battalion moved to Landelede outside the operational area and next day to Mouscron, close to Tourcoing but still in Belgium. The following day was devoted to a general clean up. Although the 36th Division had unknowingly finished its war, the Pioneers were still in great demand for their engineering expertise and were allocated for a third and final time to Railways. On the 31st October No.1 Company was cleaning and repairing damaged track and the other two companies were on similar work in nearby locations. October finished a month of great achievement for all in road maintenance, bridging and forward movement. Battalion strength: 1st October Officers 37 ORs 1020 31st October Officers 35 ORs 961 October 1918 Casualties: Officers Killed or died from wounds 1 Wounded 3 Other Ranks Killed nil Wounded 12 The Terrors by SN White 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 1st of October 1918  Allies Attack   1st Oct 1918 Counter Attack   1st Oct 1918 Hard Fighting   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 2nd of October 1918 Co-operating with 29th Div   2nd Oct 1918 Hard Fighting   2nd Oct 1918 Into Reserve   3rd of October 1918 A Quiet Night   3rd Oct 1918 Reliefs   3rd Oct 1918 In Reserve   3rd of October 1918    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   4th Oct 1918 Reliefs Completed   4th Oct 1918 Reliefs   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 5th of October 1918 Enemy Shelling 5th Oct 1918 Heavy Shelling   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 6th of October 1918  Intermittent Shelling 6th Oct 1918 Line Advanced   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 7th of October 1918 A Quiet Day 7th Oct 1918 Artillery Active   8th of October 1918 A New Div HQ   8th Oct 1918 Heavy Shelling   8th of October 1918  9th of October 1918  Shelling Still Intermittent 9th Oct 1918 Heavy Shelling   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 10th of October 1918  Another Quiet Day 10th Oct 1918 Heavy Shelling   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 11th Oct 1918 Counter Attack   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 12th Oct 1918 Farm Captured   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 13th Oct 1918 Artillery Active   14th Oct 1918 British advance towards Lys.  On the 14th of October 1918, the 29th Division including the 1st Dublins & 2nd Leinsters, 40th division & 36th, began an advance towards Lys. They achieved considerable success on the first day. There was little resistance and it is said that the Germans were standing with their kit, ready to march away as prisoners. However their resistance increased in the afternoon. 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   14th Oct 1918 Attack Made   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 15th of October 1918 Attack Continues   15th Oct 1918 Attack Made   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 16th of October 1918 Across the Lys   16th Oct 1918 In Action   16th October 1918    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 17th of October 1918 Line Along the Lys   17th Oct 1918 At Rest 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 18th of October 1918 Belgian Advance Planned   18th Oct 1918 Reliefs   18th Oct 1918 At Rest 19th Oct 1918 Church Parade  Ordinary inspections and Church Parades in morning for 9th (North Irish Horse) Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers. War Diaries 19th of October 1918 Four Pontoons   19th Oct 1918 Attack Made   19th Oct 1918 At Rest 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 20th Oct 1918 Crossing the River Lys. 20th of October 1918  Pushing On   20th Oct 1918 Attack Made   20th Oct 1918 Reliefs   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 21st of October 1918 Orders to Advance   21st Oct 1918 Attack Made   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   23rd Oct 1918 Reliefs   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 24th of October 1918  Advance Continues   24th Oct 1918 Orders   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   25th Oct 1918 In Action 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   26th Oct 1918 Patrols 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 27th of October 1918 Enemy Still Resisting   27th Oct 1918 Advance 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 28th of October 1918 At Belleghem 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 29th of October 1918 On the Move 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 30th of October 1918 Nothing to Report 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 Final Days to Armistice  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. In Mouscron the Battalion was billeted in the town and work continued on the Railway. No.1 Company - Lifting damaged track No.2 Company - Filling craters No.3 Company - Demolishing a bridge. These tasks continued from 1st to 9th November 1918 with a break for bathing and disinfesting blankets on the 5th November. On the 10th November 16th Battalion moved off at 0530 to Outryve for work under the Chief Engineer, X Corps building pontoon bridges across the Scheldt/Escaut. Armistice Day came and went without a single remark in the war diaries. This was strange to say the least as the Commanding Officer Lt. Col William Allen had started out in 1914 as Adjutant and had experienced all the Battalions worst trials and best accomplishments. This seems to follow a general feeling of disbelief that it was all over. Working on Pontoons in the Scheldt crossing, Rifleman Thomas Shaw (reflecting in a post war interview in 1992), stated that " they saw a lot of Verey lights in the sky up at the front and assumed it was an SOS call for artillery support. Later some returning troops shouted to them ‘The wars over boys!!’ to which the disbelieving pioneers replied ‘Aye, we know, it’s over there!’" The work in the Scheldt approaches continued until the 17th November involving filling craters, repairing roads and installing ramps. It must have been a great relief to carry out this work without fear of enemy attack and provided transport kept rolling no longer the need for much haste in their work. As the work here neared its end more time was devoted to inspections and drills with a view to re-establishing discipline in the Battalion. On Sunday 19th November 1918 the Battalion moved back to its Billets at Mouscron thus ending the last Operational Task of the 16th (Service) Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). Closing Days and Demobilisation. On its return to Mouscron cleaning became the order of the day with bathing and fumigation of blankets and service dress followed by a kit inspection in the afternoon. A return to peacetime soldiering standards was necessary but needed to be handled with patience and tolerance by the Officers and senior NCOs as the men simply wanted release and return home as soon as possible after some 4 years of stress and strain. However a peace treaty had not yet been signed (eventually signed in June 1919) merely an Armistice which would have to be observed or enforced. Control of the Armistice also required extensive restoration of large areas of France and Belgium together with adequate garrison provision. A lot of men would also be returning to civilian life soon therefor it was important to help them prepare for the sudden changes in their lives. A conference was called on the 20th November and a committee set up to organise education, sport and other suggestions for the men’s welfare. Battalion strength: 1st November Officers 35 ORs 959 30th November Officers 35 ORs 947 The Terrors by SN White 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 2nd of November 1918  Brigade Moves 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 4th of October 1918  Reports and Reliefs   4th of November 1918 HQ Moves 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 9th of November 1918 Change of Command 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 11th of November 1918 Hostilies Cease 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 14th of November 1918 Reorganisation 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 16th of November 1918  Orders 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 Peace at Work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Educational and recreational activities commenced in November continued into December. There were several teachers amongst the Battalions personnel whose services were utilised to assist in providing English, Mathematics and Arithmetic classes. Captain Pearson took over as Education Officer. By the 9th December two elementary and one advanced class in French were introduced. Attendance grew from about 40 initially to 80. There were two significant ceremonial parades at Divisional level which the Pioneers attended. On the 6th December at Halluin Aerodrome a Divisional ceremonial parade was held and at 1100 on the 16th December a further parade with inspection by the General Officer Commanding XV Corps which was the last recorded divisional event in the war diaries. Unfortunately the weather was at its worst but the men could retire to reasonable comfortable surroundings after the parade. Sanitary arrangements were improved and an issue of individual German beds was implemented although it took about two weeks to assemble and distribute to all ranks. This was completed on 17th December with all ranks being described as comfortably accommodated. Christmas was exceptionally well planned, with aid from Divisional sources providing turkeys and all the trimmings which were excellently prepared, while most other units had little but bully beef to celebrate the festive season. Some of the men missed this treat but they were even happier as they had been sent home on demobilization in time for Christmas. After Christmas the educational classes were moved to a vacant local school where much better teaching aids were available. Battalion strength 1st December Officers 35 ORs 948 31st December Officers 35 ORs 906 The Terrors by SN White 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 1st of December 1918 Orders 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 16th of December 1918 Division Inspected 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 21st of December 1918 Command Changeover 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 25th of December 1918 Holidays 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 1st January 1919 Training and demobilization  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. January 1919. Daily routine settled into 2 ½ Hours of Military drill and 1 hour of Physical drill each morning with afternoons devoted to sports including rugby, soccer, cross country, tug of war and basketball. Education classes also improved with educated men studying Civics, Mathematics, Shorthand, French and Bookkeeping. Those with little or no education were given basic classes in English (reading, writing and basic composition) and elementary arithmetic. Many men also attended Trade and Technical Classes. By the 13th January the daily stint of military exercise each morning was reduced to one hours drill together with two hours of physical drill and tactical exercises. No.1 Company had moved to Le Blanc Four employed on repair of the light railway system in the neighbourhood of Linselles and near Tourcoing. It was relieved by No. 2 Company on the 13th January. Economic conditions at home were dictating that vital trades were bolstered and this included former coal mine employees, so the next batch of 180 demobilized included such men and with them Regimental Sergeant-Major Gordon. It also included those guaranteed employment by their pre-war employers. Battalion strength: 1st January Officers 35 ORs 903 31st January Officers 31 ORs 713 The Terrors by SN White 1st January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ref Sheet 1/40000 28-29 Belgium and France. Luingne. Service was held for Roman Catholics at 9.00 hours at Convent of St Charles, Luingne. There were no other parades, the day being observed as a holiday. War Diaries 2nd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion paraded at 0915 in the square and route marched through Petit-Voisinage, Rolleghem, Torpentoek. The 107th Infantry Brigade beat the 108th in Rugby by one try to nil. War Diaries 3rd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion had ordinary training. Fatigue of 30 Other Ranks sent to Brigade for purpose of drawing huts from Roubaix. A practice fire alarm was tried. Regimental censorship of letters discontinued. War Diaries 4th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Inspection of billets by Adjutant. Kits were inspected and men paid. War Diaries 5th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary Church services were held at Mouscron and Luingne. War Diaries 6th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Roman Catholic service at Luingne at 0900 hours. The remainder of Battalion had a cross-country paper chase through Herseaux district in which the Second-in-Command and padre joined. War Diaries 7th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion bathed at Mouscron. Remainder of morning spent in Lewis Gun instruction with physical training. The 108th Brigade beat Divisional Engineers Rugby team by ten point. Six men were sent away for demobilisation. All men (about 40) desirous of re-enlisting were examined by the Medical Officer. War Diaries 8th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training consisted of physical recreation, ceremonial drill and instruction in the Lewis Gun. Lieutenant T Graves and 2nd Lieutenant C.H Steele MC cross-posted to the 1st Battalion. War Diaries 9th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Day was spent in ordinary training. Battalion Headquarters held a Whist Drive for the men. War Diaries 10th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Party of four Officers and 40 Other Ranks were instructed in use of the fire pump at Mouscron Fire Station. Remainder of Battalion had ordinary training. Men had bath today who did not bathe on 7th inst. War Diaries 11th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary weekly billet inspection held by Commanding Officer and Medical Officer with pay parade. Battalion tug-of-war team defeated team of 1st Royal Irish Rifles in Mouscron Square. War Diaries 12th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. A special Church service was held at Roubaix by the Archbishop of Canterbury at which a party of Officers and Other Ranks from the Battalion attended. Ordinary Church services were also held at Mouscron and Luingne. War Diaries 13th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion paraded at 0915 and did a few exercises in ceremonial drill. After an hour's physical training the Battalion witnessed a tug-of-war pull against the 12th Royal Irish Rifles in which our boys were successful. Officers' riding class was held in afternoon. War Diaries 14th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion bathed. C Company had cross-country run. Usual riding class for the Officers was held. One Platoon of B Company was inspected by the Commanding Officer. War Diaries 15th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Morning was spent in ceremonial drill and training under Company arrangements. The Battalion concert troupe 'The Sandbags' gave an entertainment in D Company's Mess at 1930 which was very enjoyable. War Diaries 16th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Battalion attended a lecture on 'Venereal Disease' given by the Assistant Director Medical Services at Mouscron. The Battalion tug-of-war team defeated the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers team at the railway station. The concert troupe gave a performance again at 1930. War Diaries 17th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Lecture by Commanding Officer on Platoon drill. Battalion was drilled by the Regimental Sergeant-Major. Other parades consisted of physical recreation, etc with school. War Diaries 18th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary weekly inspection of billets by Commanding Officer, inspection of men by Commanding Officer and pay. Lecture by Major Lowe DSO on 'Physical Recreation'. Captain F MacClean appointed Demobilisation Officer. The French interpreter, M Valin, leaves Battalion. The tug-of-war team easily defeated an Artillery team in the Divisional tug-of-war competition at Mouscron Square. War Diaries 19th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Captain J Morrow left for demobilisation. Church services were held at Luingne except Presbyterian section at Mouscron at 1000. Lieutenant A Carr takes over duty as Battalion Transport Officer. War Diaries 20th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. First hour of parade was spent in physical drill. At 1100 the Battalion witnessed a game of basket ball between two American teams in Mouscron Square. This was followed by a tug-of-war competition between A and C Companies in which the former was victorious. In the afternoon the same Companies engaged in a Rugby contest in which the same Company won. War Diaries 21st January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. War Diaries 22nd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion paraded in morning and had a few exercises in ceremonial drill. Physical training with an hour's compulsory education took up remainder of morning. The Sergeants held a Whist Drive at night to which all Officers were invited. In football the Sergeants were beaten by a team of Officers. War Diaries 23rd January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary training was done under Company arrangements and school. The tug-of-war and football teams spent the day in Lille, being conveyed there in a lorry. One Officer and six Other Ranks went as train escort. War Diaries 24th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. First hour was spent in physical training. Battalion paraded afterwards for an hour's practice in ceremonial drill and also had compulsory education. In the afternoon a cross-country competition was held of which A Company were the winner. War Diaries 25th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion paraded at 0930 and marched to aviation ground at Herseaux where with the other Battalions of the Brigade a practice presentation of colours was gone through. Men were paid in afternoon and D Company beat C in football match. War Diaries 26th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual Church services were held in Mouscron and Luingne. War Diaries 27th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. First hour in morning was spent in physical training. Owing to fall of snow the contemplated route march was cancelled and the men cleared the streets instead. They also had an hour's compulsory education. Commanding Officer gave lecture on 'Demobilisation' to Officers. War Diaries 27th of January 1919 Colours Presented 28th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Battalion paraded at 0930 and marched to Herseaux aviation ground with the other Battalions of the Brigade. The colours which consisted of a silk Union Jack were consecrated and presented to the Battalion by the Corps Commander. The Battalion concert party gave a performance at 1930. War Diaries 28th of January 1919 Colours Presented 29th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Battalion was employed chiefly in clearing the streets of snow. Men desirous of going before the Divisional Advisory Board were interviewed by the Commanding Officer. The Battalion concert party 'The Sandbags' gave a performance at 1930. War Diaries 30th January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion Headquarters and the concert party went to Lille on two motor lorries where the day was spent. The remainder of Battalion did suitable training. Those seeking information as to their future calling in life were interviewed by the Divisional Advisory Board. War Diaries 30th of January 1919 A Royal Visit 31st January 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ordinary training was done. During the month schools classes have been conducted under 2nd Lieutenant Kemp on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Subjects taught are reading, writing, arithmetic, history and geography; bookkeeping, shorthand and commercial subjects are also taught by 2nd Lieutenant L Lees. Demobilisation has speeded up during the last few days, the total number now away being one Officer 104 Other Ranks. War Diaries 31st of January 1919 Royal Visit Continues 1st February 1919 Training and demobilization  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. February 1919. February started with the same dispositions and routine as January had ended. On the 4th February it was necessary to reinforce No.2 Company with No.3 as it had been seriously depleted and on the 14th February Nos.2 and 3 Companies were amalgamated into a single company under the command of Captain WR White MC (the author’s father) with responsibility to provide a working party for the light railway. On the 15th February another 183 men were released and the Battalion Educational Scheme was abandoned from that date. On the 23rd February 6 Officers and 205 Other ranks were transferred to the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles for service in the Army of Occupation. From that date it was no longer possible to provide a working party for the railway and all remaining members returned to Mouscron. During the month 6 Officers, 390 Other ranks and 25 Horses had been demobilised. Battalion strength: 1st February Officers 29 ORs 694 28th February Officers 16 ORs 124 The Terrors by SN White 1st February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Luingne. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited the Battalion in their billets. Rifles and Lewis Guns were inspected by an Officer from the Army Ordnance Corps. The men also were inspected by the Medical Officer and were afterwards paid. War Diaries 1st of February 1919 HRH Visits More Units 2nd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual Church services were held in Luingne and Mouscron. War Diaries 3rd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training was composed of one hour's physical training, tactical exercise, drill, guard mounting and compulsory education. War Diaries 4th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The Battalion bathed. The remainder of time the Companies were at the disposal of Company Commanders. Captain P.E Maclean took over duties of Adjutant temporarily. War Diaries 5th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Companies carried out ordinary training. Officers and men wishing information re future careers were interviewed by the Civil Advisory Board at Lille. War Diaries 6th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. First hour was spent in physical training, two hours in cleaning snow from streets and an hour in compulsory education. War Diaries 7th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training consisted of physical recreation, compulsory education with ordinary Company training. War Diaries 8th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Billets were inspected by the Commanding Officer. The usual medical inspection and pay parades were also held. War Diaries 9th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Luingne. Ordinary Church services were held in Mouscron. War Diaries 10th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion was inspected by the Brigade Commander who afterwards visited them in the billets for inspection of kit. Battalion bathed in the afternoon. War Diaries 11th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Battalion was reorganised into two Companies (Nos 1 & 2), No.1 being composed of men for the Post Bellum Army or Army of Occupation, No.2 consisting of all others except those under the control of Transport Officer and Quartermaster. update note Jus Post Bellum was an international treatise on the transition from conflict to peace laying out rules to minimise periods of occupation and ensure proper treatment of the occupied by the occupiers. War Diaries 12th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Reorganisation of Battalion was continued today. War Diaries 13th February 1919   9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 13th - 14th Feb 1919. Ordinary training was done. 15th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual weekly inspections were held by the Commanding Officer and Medical Officer and men were paid. War Diaries 15th of February 1919 Boxing Tournament 16th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual Church services were held. War Diaries 17th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training consisted of physical recreation. War Diaries 18th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training consisted of physical recreation. At 17.30 hours the Battalion concert party 'The Sandbags' gave a performance in the Convent. War Diaries 19th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. One hour was spent in physical training after which no men were available for further training. War Diaries 20th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual hour for physical training. Battalion bathed. War Diaries 21st February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. A Court of Enquiry was held re deficiency of blankets and oil sheets. War Diaries 22nd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual inspections were held by Commanding Officer and Medical Officer and men paid. Surplus horses of transport were sent away for dispersal. War Diaries 23rd February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Usual Church services. War Diaries 24th February 1916 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Training was done under Company arrangements. The Officers held a dinner in the Officers' Club in Tourcoing. w 25th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. 25th and 26th Feb 1919. Training under Company arrangements. War Diaries 27th Feb 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. First hour was spent in physical training followed by a route march. War Diaries 28th February 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Luingne. Training under Company arrangements. The total number demobilized up to end of month is eight Officers and 402 Other Ranks. The Battalion school has been closed. War Diaries 1st March 1919 Training and demobilization  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. March 1919. From this point onwards there was no military task of any significance on which the Battalion, now reduced to cadre strength, could be employed. Sport and visits to places of interest were arranged under Divisional auspices with a first party going to Brussels on the 29th March. (Note: book states April but it seems more likely to have been March). During March 5 Officers, 58 Other ranks and 49 Animals were demobilized. Battalion strength: 1st March Officers 16 ORs 111 31st March Officers 8 ORs 45 The Terrors by SN White 1st March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mouscron. Battalion remained at Mouscron. War Diaries 8th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mouscron. Remaining men for dispersal (20) sent away. Battalion remained at Mouscron until 18th March. War Diaries 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 20th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Two Officers 27 Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment on the Rhine. War Diaries 22nd March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Three Officers 60 Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. One Officer to Concentration Camp for dispersal and 22 Other Ranks. War Diaries 27th March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Nine Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Two Officers despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 31st March 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Nineteen Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 1st April 1919 Final Closure  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. April 1919. The cadre unit was still there in April awaiting embarkation orders to return to the UK bringing the remaining equipment. At some time during the month Lt. Col Allen DSO himself must have left as the April war diary is signed by Captain IC Colquhoun. There are no war diary entries for May 1919 so it must be assumed that early in that month the remainder of the 16th Battalion must have received its orders and returned to the UK. Thus ended the official record of the 16th Pioneer Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles and the unit passed into history. After the war the Royal Irish Rifles were renamed the Royal Ulster Rifles so the old name also became shrouded in history. There was no final parade at home to celebrate their achievements, courage and fortitude, they merely melted away. Their achievements were remarkable and if ever a military unit deserved to wear the collar dogs of the crossed rifle and pickaxe it was them, having lived up to their regimental motto "Quis seperabis", none shall separate us. They are all long passed away and reunited again beyond this mortal life. The Terrors by SN White 1st April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Twenty-three Other Ranks despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 3rd April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. One Officer despatched to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 4th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Two Officers to Concentration Camp for dispersal. War Diaries 7th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Twelve Other Ranks to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 9th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mouscron. One Royal Army Medical Corps Officer (attached) to Concentration Camp for dispersal. War Diaries 11th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. One Officer to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 14th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Two Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal. War Diaries 17th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Eight Other Ranks to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. One Officer Royal Irish Rifles attached to Battalion. War Diaries 19th April 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Five Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Two Officers to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Remained at Mouscron pending dispersal. War Diaries 1st May 1919 End of the Story  16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). Epilogue 1914, 1919. Those returning to civilian life after 4 traumatic years of intense activity were to encounter mixed emotions. There was little or no welfare system to care for the needy both spiritually and physically. Many suffered from illness and war injuries with pathetically low pensions in many cases. Work was scarce and employers had little experience in assessing their military capabilities in a civilian work environment. Unlike many infantry battalions which usually had a home town background they were drawn from a wide area of County Down and it would have been difficult to gather in either Lurgan or Belfast. An Association was eventually formed in 1937 with the help of the Royal British Legion and met monthly in the ballroom of the Belfast branch of the Legion with the express purpose of forming an old comrades association. The chairman at the first meeting was Sir William Allen, the last Commanding Officer in France. He was killed in a car accident in 1947 and he was replaced by the Author’s father Major WR White who commanded the final reduced unit in France in early 1919, having served throughout from the start in 1914. The first of the annual meetings was held in Lurgan on the 14th May 1938. Sadly and inevitably with the passage of time numbers dwindled and in 1965 it was decided that the Association Standard should be laid up in Shankill Parish Church, Lurgan. In 1979 five members attended the last wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial in Lurgan, but the colours are laid up in the Church in lasting memory of the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). Doran Family 1st May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Remained at Mouscron pending dispersal. War Diaries 9th May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. One Officer and 10 Other Ranks to Concentration Camp for dispersal. War Diaries 19th May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. One Other Rank to Concentration Camp for dispersal. War Diaries 22nd May 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Four Other Ranks to 5th Royal Irish Regiment. War Diaries 31st May 1919 Dedication and Acknowledgements    Tommy Martin with his daughter Martha and granddaughter Marie Dedication and Acknowledgements This is a brief history of the recruitment, training and operational tasks carried out by the 16th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) during the First World War. It was one of the finest military units created during this period and it is unique as it was the only Pioneer Battalion raised in Ulster. There was only one other Pioneer Battalion raised in Ireland namely the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, the pioneer battalion for the 10th Irish Division Dedication: My late wife Marie’s grandfather, Thomas Neill Martin, regimental number 16/124 attended assessment at the initial call up on 9th November in Lurgan, joined on the 14th November and served with the Battalion until early September 1918 at which point it must be assumed, through injury or illness, he was transferred back to the UK and finished his time in the Labour Corps (No. 648737). His Labour Corps number indicates the date and location of issue as being September 1918 in the UK. He was discharged on the 27th November 1918 after which he lived for the rest of his lifetime in Dromore, Co Down and died in Banbridge Hospital on the 8th September 1969. I only met Tommy after I met Marie in Lisburn 1961 during a tour of Northern Ireland by the Military Band of the Royal Irish Fusiliers with which I was serving at the time. He never spoke to me about his wartime experiences so I can only guess at where he might have worked or in which company or section he served. Unfortunately very few other ranks are named in the war diary entries even when wounded or killed. Marie was reunited with Tommy when she departed this life in April 1991 and both will never be forgotten by myself, our two sons, Martyn and Richard and the many grandchildren Marie never had the joy of meeting. Acknowledgements: I must make several acknowledgements of help and assistance in writing this resume. Since I do not have access to the War Diaries, (a sad omission in Northern Ireland‘s Public Records) I have relied heavily on the publication of a book called "The Terrors" by The Somme Association Ltd. (now based at the Somme Heritage Centre in North Down),www.irishsoldier.org who kindly granted me permission to use material from the book and to its author the late Lt. Col. Stuart N White CD MA (Royal Engineers) whose father served as an Officer in the Battalion throughout the war. His book is an excellent description of events and, with his engineering background, great detail has been given of the enormity of many of the day to day tasks which they were expected to carry out as well as being soldiers in the Front Line fighting when the need arose. Doran Family 9th June 1919 Daily Activity  9th Btn. (North Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Mouscron. Three Officers and 23 Other Ranks (cadre) to Concentration Camp for dispersal. Of the party for dispersal on this date, one Officer and five Other Ranks are detailed as Colour Guard, charged with handing over King's Colour to the authorities of Armagh Cathedral. An Equipment Guard of two Officers and twelve Other Ranks remain pending orders for shipment of Battalion equipment to UK. This is the final entry in the War Diary for the Battalion. War Diaries If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 36th (Ulster) Division? There are:1710 items tagged 36th (Ulster) Division 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 36th (Ulster) Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Adams Thomas. Pte Barnes Joseph. Pte. 9th Btn. (d.16th Aug 1917) Bell Thomas John. Rfn. C Coy. 13th Btn. (d.28th Jun 1916) Brown William John. L/Sgt. 13th Btn. (d.26th Jun 1916) Campbell William Mackenzie. 2nd Lt. 9th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Clements William. L/Cpl. Culley William Samuel. Pte. C Coy., 9th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Cully William Samuel. Pte. 9th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Davidson Samuel. WO2. 16th Btn. Dornan William James. Cpl. 11th Btn Douglas John Alexander. Cpl. 10th Btn. Dunwoody Samuel. 2nd Lt. 16th (Service) Battalion (d.5th Oct 1918) Giles Ernest William. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.22nd Mar 1918) Hamilton Adam. Hay Alexander. Pte. 10th battalion Humphries William John. Cpl. 16th Btn. Kenny Horace William . L/Bdr. 173rd Brigade Long William Gregory. Martin William. Pte. 13th Btn. McAdam Wilson. Sgt. 9th Btn. McCrory Samuel. Pte. 10th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) Mccullough David. 14th Btn. (d.16th August 1917) McCullough Joseph Craig . Rfmn. 9th Btn. (d.1st Jul 1916) McNeilly David William. Pte. 12th Btn. Miller Joseph. Pte. 9th (County Tyrone) Battalion (d.1st July 1916) Morrison Francis Alfred. Sgt. 110th Field Ambulance Parker Robert John. Pte. 15th Btn. (d.19th Aug 1918) Reid Joseph. L/Cpl. 12th Btn. (d.28th Sep 1916) Sergeant John. Sgt. Slacke Charles Owen. Capt. YCV (d.1st July 1916) Smith Herbert Ernest James. Dvr. CLXX111 Brigade Smith John Edward. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.23rd Apr 1917) Stewart Samuel. CQMS. 10th Battalion Tate James. Sgt. 13th (1st County Down) Battalion, C Company. (d.1st July 1916) Toman Patrick. Sgt. 2nd Btn. 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 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. 1206280 Sgt. Patrick Toman 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Rifles My Grandfather Partick Toman joined the army reserves (5th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles) in 1906 when he was 18 years old. He was a labourer in the Barbour Linen Mill in Hilden. Upon the outbreak of war in 1914 he was called up to regular service and the battalion went to Belfast to act as a training unit. My grandad was an instructor but on the 25th of December 1914 he was sent to the front with the 2nd battalion of the RIR because of the high losses suffered they needed more experienced men. He left behind his wife Catherine (Nee McCormick) and his three sons Richard, Patrick and John. John had been born in September of 1914 and his other sons were two and four years old. He fought in 15 major battles while in France. He was wounded by shell fragments in 1916 during the Somme offensive. This happened on the 14th of July 1916 after his battalion had been in action at Ovilliers. He returned to his unit 30th of November 1916 and took part in the battle of Messines Ridge, the 1917 campaigns in Flanders, the tank battle at Cambrai, and the German Spring offensives of March 1918. His battalion (the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles) was wiped out almost to the last man on the 24th of March 1918 as it fought desperate rear guard actions to allow the remnants of the 36th Ulster division to escape the German avalanche. 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. 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 this patrol Major Herbert Musgrave from Corps Intelligence was killed. My Grandad was shot in the thigh by a machine gun bullet but made it back to friendly lines alive. It was thought he might have to lose the leg but it was saved. My granddad made a life after the war but suffered PTSD which he dealt with by prayer, solitude, and by swearing off alcohol. He died in 1952 (15 years before I was born) but I grew up on legends and tales about him all my life and we all love him several generations on. We respect the effort he made to give us the peace and freedom we enjoy today. I was able to visit the battle fields in Belgium, where he fought for so long, in 2007. 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. Add to this record. 1206113 Pte. Samuel McCrory 10th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916) My great uncle Pte. Samuel McCrory served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, part of the 36th Ulster Division and was killed on the 1st July 1916. Samuel McCrory, Army number 395 has no known grave but is recorded on the Thiepval Monument and he came from the Donegal Road area of South Belfast. Add to this record. 260823 L/Cpl. William Clements Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers My father, William Clements joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1914. He was wounded, then buried when a trench caved in, but was dug out by his comrades. He served from 1914 to 1918 with 36th (Ulster) Division. When he joined, he was 26 years old and had two small sons younger than 5 years old. Orr Clements Add to this record. 260002 Pte. William Samuel Culley C Coy., 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) William Culley served with C Coy., 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers He is buried in the Ancre British Cemetery in Beaumont-Hamel, France. Mark Gilmore Add to this record. 257729 Sgt. John "Mad Jack" Sergeant Royal Irish Fusiliers John Sergeant was my Great Grandfather. He was part of Carson's Ulster Volunteers and went to France with the Royal Irish Fusiliers as part of the 36th Ulster Division. He was transferred at some period to the Labour Corps but we don't know why. We do believe he suffered from gas inhalation which apparently took his life in his early 50s from lung problems. John Sergeant Add to this record. 256176 CQMS. Samuel Stewart 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles Samuel Stewart was promoted in the field to Colour-Sergeant. Add to this record. 256141 2nd Lt. William Mackenzie Campbell 9th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st Jul 1916) William Campbell served with the 9th (West Belfast) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment part of 36th (Ulster) Division and was killed on the 1st of July 1916 when the division attacked at Thiepval. He lived at Darce Hill, Rock Ferry, Cheshire and was the younger son of Mrs W M Campbell. He was a chartered accountant and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Andrew Dunford Add to this record. 256030 Pte. William Samuel Cully 9th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.1st Jul 1916) My great grandfather William Cullywas the son of James and Ann Jane Cully (nee Clayton) and husband of Mary Cully (nee Mines), of Tullyallen, Mountnorris, County Armagh. He was born Bessbrook, County Armagh on the 24th of May 1874 which would make him 42 years of age when he was killed. Private Cully is buried in Ancre British Cemetery, France. William signed up to join the 1st World War, volunteered as there was no conscription in Ireland, in fact he lied about his age, said he was 36 and not 41. The conclusion we have come to is that things were hard in Ireland at the time, a couple of poor harvests and as a farm labourer he would have been desperate for money with 7 children (Billy, Hannah Jane, Robert (my Grandfather), Sarah, Sam, Hughie and Geordie). He headed off and as part of the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division, and was killed in action on the first day of the Somme at Ancre. The Ulster men breached four defensive lines of German trenches that morning but had to retreat due to being let down by their flanks. The troops were told that this would be an easy fight as the Germans had little to no ammunition. This was not the case and William fell along with 60,000 others on that day. The battle at Ancre was over by 8am so he was only on the field for a short time. Private Cully was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medal. His last name was recorded incorrectly as Culley on all of his Military records. William Garry Cully Add to this record. 255790 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. 254754 Sgt. James Tate 13th (1st County Down) Battalion, C Company. Royal Irish Rifles (d.1st July 1916) James Tate was my great grandfather. he was born on 28 June 1896 in the townland of Dunbeg and he was the eldest son of Joseph and Sarah Tate (nee Craig). Prior to the outbreak of the Great War James Tate worked as a farmer and he was a member of the Killinchy contingent of the Ulster Volunteer Force. He enlisted in Downpatrick and trained at Clandeboye Camp before going to Seaford in Sussex and then to the Front in October 1915. James married Grace Brown on 26th of August 1915 in Belmont Presbyterian Church while he was stationed in Seaford, Sussex. Grace was from 92 East Bread Street, Belfast, daughter of James Brown, a labourer. They had a son named Joseph, who was born on 3rd of March 1916. James was home for a short period of leave in May 1916 and he saw his son. Less than two months later, Sergeant Tate was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.1, in France and is commemorated in Killinchy Parish Church of Ireland Church Add to this record. 253698 L/Cpl. Joseph Reid 12th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.28th Sep 1916) Joseph Reid served with the 12th Royal Irish Rifles and 108th Trench Mortar Battery. John Houston Add to this record. 253683 L/Sgt. William John Brown 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.26th Jun 1916) William Brown was my 3rd Great Uncle. He was the son of Robert and Margaret Brown, of Millview in Comber, Co Down. He enlisted in Comber and during the war he served with B Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. He was aged 20 when he was killed in action. Lance Sergeant William John Brown is buried in Authuille Military Cemetery, France and he is commemorated on Comber and District War Memorial and in Second Comber Presbyterian Church. Two of his brothers were also serving on the front at the time. Emma Brown Add to this record. 249102 David Mccullough 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (d.16th August 1917) David Mccullough had a wife and lived Meenam Street Belfast. He served with the 14th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles, and was killed om the 16th of August 1917, his name is on the Memorial at the Tyne Cot We don't have any other details or a photo, but would loved to know more, a man sadly missed like all the brave men that gave their life so we could be free. J Brown Add to this record. 245115 William Gregory Long Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers William Long served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 36th Ulster Divison. Oonagh Fairgrieve Add to this record. 231846 Pte. William Martin 13th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles My great uncle Bill Martin served with the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in the 36th (Ulster) Division. A farmhand from Newtownards, he was 17 when he enlisted on 22nd of February 1915. He fought alongside his cousins and friends in France. He was wounded with shell-shock and was hospitalized in France and England before being discharged for medical reasons on 15th of June 1917. He returned to Newtownards and worked outdoors on farms, which was recommended to ease his nerves. In 1928 he emigrated to Toronto in Canada, where he later married and had one daughter. Kim Murphy Add to this record. 230554 Sgt. Francis Alfred Morrison MSM 110th Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps Frank Morrison served with 110th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps in 36th Division. Hazel Morrison Add to this record. 225230 Adam Hamilton 36th Ulster Division My grandfather Adam Hamilton signed up with his best friend Alan Brown. Alan was courting my grandfather's sister Margaret and later married her. She retained and passed on to her family the post cards grandad had written when they were first away training. Candy Craig Add to this record. 220443 WO2. Samuel Davidson 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles My great grandfather, Samuel Davidson, joined the Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914, at Brownlow House in Lurgan, Co Armagh. He was in the 16th Battalion which later was converted to the Pioneer Battalion for the 36th Ulster Division. He trained at Brownlow House in Lurgan, and later at Seaford in Kent, before leaving for France in October 1915. He was wounded behind the ear by a shell fragment on the 1st July 1916 in Thepval Wood before the battle started. He was later gassed at Messines, and suffered the effects of this for the remainder of his life. He survived the war and was not discharged until 1919. By this time he had been Company Quartermaster Sargent and was an acting WO2 and was either CSM or RQMS. Geoff Davidson Add to this record. 220422 Dvr. Herbert Ernest James Smith CLXX111 Brigade Royal Field Artillery Herbert Ernest James Smith was born on 25th January 1877 in St Giles North, London. He was 38 when he enlisted and lived at 28 Belmont Street. He was a driver in the CLXX111 Brigade RFA which was part of the 36th Ulster Division. According to some records the 36th Ulster Division fought in the Western Front in France and Flanders including the Battle of Albert. He survived the war and died of Bronchial Pneumonia in 1922. Before the war he was a Print Compositor. Lilian Bishop Add to this record. 219320 2nd Lt. Samuel Dunwoody 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (d.5th Oct 1918) Samuel Dunwoody's father came from Monaghan, Ireland and moved to England where he worked in Customs and Excise. Samuel was born in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, he was my Grandfather's cousin. It looks like he signed up with Monmouthshires and gained a Temporary commission as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 16th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in 1915 and went to France in Jan. '17. He was killed by shrapnel near Beclaere on 5 October 1918. He was a pupil of Preston Grammar School and his name on their WW1 Memorial which is now in Preston Minster. As member of the RIR he is listed among the Irish casualties of the war at the Dublin Rembrance Garden. Viv Stringer Add to this record.

Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices. Belfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists Fought and Died Together in the First World War Richard S Grayson This is the story of men from either side of West Belfast's sectarian divide during the Great War. Richard S. Grayson follows the volunteers of the 36th and 16th divisions who fought on the Somme and side-by-side at Messines, recovering the forgotten West Belfast men throughout the armed forces, from the retreat at Mons to the defeat of Germany and life post-war. In so doing, he tells a new story which challenges popular perceptions of the war and explains why remembrance remains so controversial in Belfast today. 'Provocative, meticulously researched and referenced.' --Irish Times More information on: Belfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists Fought and Died Together in the First World War Links Suggest a link