220811 Pte. David Fell Britsih Army 15th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles from:20 Hanna St., Belfast (d.29th March 1918) David Fell was killed during the St Michael German offensive in Villiers Tornelle on 29th of March 1918. He served from 1914. He was a member of 107th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery in the 36th (Ulster) Division. He was the eldest son of Thomas and Ellen Fell, 20 Hanna St., Belfast. He joined the 15th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast Volunteers) in 1914. He had signed the Ulster Covenant. In 1915 the RIR moved to France and they were first engaged in major action on 1st July 1916. David survived the slaughter and with the rest of the Division was moved to Messines. There they fought alongside the 16th (Irish) Division. His unit with others captured Wytschaete. His unit was involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres in July and in November 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai. David's unit was in the front line on 21st March 1918 south west of St Quentin. There they were overrun by the enemy and put up courageous resistance in a series of redoubts. On 28-29th March the Battalion was withdrawn to regroup. During the retreat to Saleux he was killed in action. He is remembered in Pozieres Cemetery on the Albert to Bapuame Road not far from the Ulster Tower.
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