Today's finds

[Noor]

Hi guys,

I purchased some interesting WW1 awards today and need some advice regarding the research...

BWM, named to "2. LIEUT. V.WATTS" I checked ancestry and only officer v.watts what I was able to find was from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment as a Captain.

I presume Medal Index Card was filled after his promotions when he applied the medals, but why the medal is impressed 2nd ltn? Maybe someone can do quick cross checking and have a look is this the right guy on ancestry?

[Noor]

Next medal, what I got, is Victory medal, named to "42118 PTE C RAMSAY R IR RIF"

Just to be sure - does 10/ front of regimental number means that Charles Ramsay served in the 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast)?

From where I can find the SWB input (when he got wounded, etc?)

[Noor]

KSA - unforunately I can't find anything from ancestry.

Maybe someone, who has the roles or findmypast access, can check him out?

"2720 PTE J.BYRNE. RL. MUNSTER FUS."

clasps: "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902".

Regards,

Timo

Edited April 23, 2011 by Noor

[Michael Johnson]

There is a Victor Watts in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He made Lieutenant, but his MIC shows that 2 Lt. was the rank on his medals. He only got to France Nov. 1, 1918.

Byrne is on Ancestry, which confirms the medal and clasps, and states "To Army Reserve". His QSA is under Byrnes, and he has Wittebergen, Cape Colony, Transvaal.

[Graham Stewart]

Next medal, what I got, is Victory medal, named to "42118 PTE C RAMSAY R IR RIF"

Just to be sure - does 10/ front of regimental number means that Charles Ramsay served in the 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast)?

From where I can find the SWB input (when he got wounded, etc?)

The "10/" would indicate that he served with the 10th Bn, R.Irish Rifles, but the fact that he has a very high five figure number(42118) may require further investigation, as each R.Irish Rifles service battalion seem to have began at number '1'. Therefore I would think that this may be a mid to late war enlistment.

Silver War Badge Rolls are only availible for viewing at the NRO, Kew and are not to be found in any electronic form. The same also applies to the Medal Roll Books.

[Graham Stewart]

KSA - unforunately I can't find anything from ancestry.

Maybe someone, who has the roles or findmypast access, can check him out?

"2720 PTE J.BYRNE. RL. MUNSTER FUS."

clasps: "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902".

Regards,

Timo

2720 Pte J.Byrne enlisted sometime between September 1888 and April 1889.

[Noor]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your help!

I have VM and BTW sorted out - I will receive their medal role and SBW inputs coming weeks. Also yes, BWM owner was Victor Watts from Royal Garrison Artillery and good news is - his service papers exist in Kew!

Also Joseph Byrne's papers are available on finmypast/ancestry but I do not have access to them without the credit/upgraded membership...Yes, Graham, he enlisted Tralee, 4th January 1889, age 18 years and 6 months from Bray, Dublin.

If some of you have KSA and QSA roles, maybe I can ask kindly a copies of his medals inputs.

Joseph Byrne, regimental number 2720, 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers.

One last medal what I got was awarded to prison warden in Cork - Thomas Hargroves. Born 1886. Enlisted to Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Victory Medal named to "25923 CPL. T. HARGROVES. R.D.FUS.".

Like his MIC shows, he was transferred to 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment (new Regimental Number 18254). KIA 21st August 1918 in France.

I have so far:

- his MIC from Ancestry

- Death notice from Ancestry and the page with the information about his memorial

- Irish Census inputs (1901 and 1911)

Also I will receive medal role inputs what hopefully helps me with his battalion in the Dubs. Unfortunately his service records are destroyed or at least don't exist in Ancestry.

Maybe someone can advise me about the future research. Maybe his work as a priso guard can give something? Also does some of you have Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion war diaries. I would like to know whats in there around 21st August 1918.

Any other ideas?

Kind Regards,

Timo aka Noor

[Noor]

I am very please with the information what is actually available. Here is Cpl. Thomas Hargroves information, what I have found (so far). Most interesting part what I didn't expect.... 1916 in Dublin.

Thomas Hargroves (1886- 1918)

Corporal

● Royal Dublin Fusiliers

● Royal Irish Regiment

Victory Medal named to “ 25923 CPL T.HARGROVES R. D. FUS.”

Royal Dublin Fusiliers regimental number 25923

Royal Irish Regiment regimental number 18254

Thomas Hargroves Medal Index Card provides his first service number as 25923 with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and second regimental number after transfer to the Royal Irish Regiment (regimental number 18254). His only entitlements listed on the card:

- Victory Medal (Roll 17/10/B6 Page 906).

- British War Medal (Roll 17/10/B6 Page 906)

Thomas Hargroves

Thomas Hargroves was born in Cappoley, Kilcolmanbane, Queen's County (now County Laois) as a son of John and Lizzie on the 1886. Their family listed their trade as farmers.

He also had two younger brothers William and John and three younger sisters – Lizzie, Ellen Jane and Mary Anne. They were all Roman Catholic’s.

After finishing school, some time before 1911 Thomas moved to Cork and worked in the Prison Service as a Warden in Prison. He was not married at this time (4).

After the war broke out a New Army (often referred to as Kitchener's Army) battalions where put together, where each man would sign up for new "general service" terms of three years or the duration of the war (whichever was the longer) and would agree to serving anywhere the army needed them.

Thomas Hargroves enlisted to 10th battalion at the Royal Dublin Fusiliers from Cork recruitment depot (regimental number 25923) after 11th February 1916, when the 10th Battalion (The “Commercial” Pals) was formed in Dublin (8/10).

By the time the battalion were formed, they were only around 600 men. The Battalion was split into 4 companies, A, B, C, and D and they were first located at Royal Barracks (now Collins Barracks) gathering recruits and starting to train the men.

Easter Rising - Monday 24th April

The rebellion started at noon on Monday 24th April. In Royal Barracks when the fighting started on Monday 24th April. The DMP phoned the Military HQ at Parkgate at 12.10 to say that the Castle was under attack by armed Sinn Feiners. Col Cowan then ordered men from Royal, Richmond and Portobello Barracks to march to the relief of the Castle.

The 10th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusilers were training at the Royal barracks on the Quays. Around noon rifle shots were heard from the city, and on hearing the bugle alarm call, orders were given for troops to be equipped and armed. A party of men from A Company were marched out of the barracks first, following men from B Company, in order to secure positions in the Dublin city.

During the Easter Rising 10th Battalion casualties was as follows: 2 officers killed and 6 wounded, plus 9 Other Ranks killed and 28 wounded.

Source - No. 8

After that tragic events in Dublin, his battalion was moved to England in August 1916 and was surprisingly attached to he 190th Brigade under Brigadier General W.C.G.Heneker in 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. 19th August 1916 they landed in Le Havre.

They got their first combat experience in the Battle of the Ancre (Launched on 13 November 1916) where they attacked with 24 officers and 469 other ranks, 241 men became casualties.

Source - No. 8

The next large assault what they took part was the assault on Gavrelle Village on the April 1917.

The War Diary of the 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers for April 1917 records that the battalion left its billets in Magnicourt in buses at 10am on the morning of 14th April, arriving at Arras at 3.30pm. And then marched on to St Catherine, moving up to the trenches at 6pm, in the "Balleul Gavrelle Sector".

The village of Gavrelle was held by the German 66th Würtenburger Fusiliers and was attacked on the 15th April. This attack by the 10th Battalion RDF was unsuccessful suffering casualties of 5 Officers and 80 other ranks. They were relieved in the front trenches by the 4th Bedfords at 6am on the 16th April, and withdrew to the reserve trenches. They suffered heavy shelling whilst in the Blue, Green and Brown line trenches over the next few days with 2 officers plus 5 other ranks killed on 21st April and a further 12 other ranks killed or wounded on 22nd April. The 10th Battalion were in reserve during the main attack on 23rd and 24th April and did not feature in this fighting.

Source - No. 8

Next big change to the Battalion took place on the 23rd June 1917, when they were moved to 48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division (9).

As a part of the Irish Division, 10th Battalion saw action in the battle of Cambrai 20th November 1917, where the 16th Division, attacking on a three-brigade front, was assigned the task of capturing a 2,000 yard section of the trench network. On the right flank of the Irishmen, 3rd Division's 9th Brigade was detailed to capture an additional 800 yards.

In the centre, 10th and 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers headed the attack of the 48th Brigade. The advance here was so rapid that the Irish found many Germans still wearing gas masks and unable to fight. 10th Dublin Fusiliers captured 170 Germans alone (10).

It is impossible to narrow down, when private Thomas Hargroves got promoted to the rank Corporal or when exactly his transfer to the Royal Irish Regiment took place.

Maybe when the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 10th Battalion was absorbed with the 8th/9th Battalions and finally disbanded in France on the 15th February 1918.

He was transferred to Royal Irish Regiment, 2nd Battalion and his new regimental number was 18254. Most likely this happened when the 10th Battalion was dispanded. At this time the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion was part of the 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division but was transferred to the 188th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the 23rd April 1918.

Almost at the end of his war, on the Battle of Albert (21st – 23rd August 1918), a phase of the Second Battles of the Somme, Corporal Thomas Hargroves met his ultimate fate and became one of the many Irish casualties who was Killed in Action at 21st August 1918.

His memorial reference is listed on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Panel 5. He was 32 years old.

Source:

(1) The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1743323

(2) The Long, Long Trail – The Royal Irish Regiment

http://www.1914-1918.net/rireg.htm

(3) The Long, Long Trail – The Royal Dublin Fusiliers

http://www.corkrecords.com/WWIMemorial.htm

(4) National Archives: Census of Ireland 1901/1911

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Queen_s_Co_/Kilcolmanbane/Cappoley/1648989/

(5) Family Tree, Genealogy and Census Records - Ancestry.co.uk

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/

(6) Ireland and World War I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_and_World_War_I

(7) The Long, Long Trail, 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/kitcheners.htm

(8) Dublin Fusiliers 10th Battalion history

http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/battaliions/10-battalion.html

(9) The Irish Brigades, 1685-2006, David Murphy

A Gazetteer of Irish military service, past and present

(10) Ireland Unknown Soldiers, Terence Denman

The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War

(11) The British Infantry 1660 – 1945, Frederick Myatt

The Evolution of a fighting force

[paddywhack]

nice info and typical noor lucking out on a medal like that!!id expect nothing less!!!!!! :beer:

[Noor]

KSA - unforunately I can't find anything from ancestry.

Maybe someone, who has the roles or findmypast access, can check him out?

"2720 PTE J.BYRNE. RL. MUNSTER FUS."

clasps: "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902".

Regards,

Timo

Today I finished this...

Joseph Byrne (1870 – xxxx)

Private

Royal Munster Fusiliers

King’s South Africa Medal – named to "2720 PTE J.BYRNE. RL. MUNSTER FUS."

Joseph Byrne was born around spring 1870 and grew up with his parents until his enlistment to the service in the Old Connaught Avenue, Bray. Co.Dublin. He was Roman Catholic and his trade was listed as a labourer. He wasn’t married at this time. In 1891 he had third class education (3).

Referring to the medical check up, he was 5 feet and 5/2 inch tall, weight 114 pounds, eyes blue and hair brown (3).

Joseph tried to join the Army before but was rejected because being under age. When he was 18 years and 6 months old, he finally enlisted for regular service (7 years with the Colours and 5 years in Reserve (1)) on the 4th January 1889 in Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee (On the 1st July 1881 became Regimental Depot and 104 Bengal Fusiliers was reorganized to 1st Battalion at Royal Munster Fusiliers (2)).

Certificate of Final Medical Examination approve him fit for the Army and as he was willing to enlist to the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Colonel Colm Campbell A.A.F. Recruiting field officer appoint him on the 5th January 1889 to this unit (3).

Private Joseph Byrne served first in Ireland, until 2nd September 1890 when his unit was posted to the West Indies for a next 6 years and 122 days.

During his service in India, he injured his arm on 6th April 1892 and 13th April 1892 convicted and imprisoned for 28 days because of this. He returned to duty 11th May 1892 (3).

On the 2nd of January 1897 his unit moved back to Ireland and he was sent to reserve 8th January 1897.

Under special Administrative Order Dated 20th December 1899, Joseph Byrne was mobilized and posted back to the 1st Battalion at Royal Munster Fusiliers on the 26th December 1899 for the next 2 years and 85 days.

During this period the 1st battalion was stationed at Fermoy Barracks, County Cork Ireland. Orders were received to be in readiness to proceed to South Africa by the 21st August 1899.

23rd August 1899 the Royal Munster Fusiliers 1st battalion left Fermoy for South Africa on the passenger ship S.S. Arundel Castle. The battalion was under the command of Lieut. -Colonel E. S. Evans.

S.S. Arundel Castle landed Cape Town on the 16th September and the battalion marched to Wynberg (4).

Private Byrne followed his unit and was sent to South Africa on the 5th February 1900 (3).

At this time his battalion was on the lines of communication when Lord Robert’s advanced to Bloemfontein. In April the Commander-in-Chief created 20th Brigade, under Major General Arthur Paget command. The brigade was partly composed of Militia regiments; at 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers. The battalion operated between Orange River and Warrenton. While Lord Roberts was advancing to Pretoria, Paget's 20th Brigade was taken to the Kroonstad-Lindley district (6).

The middle of June 1900 Lord Roberts’s commenced operations which culminated at the end of July 1900 in Prinsloo's surrender. At this time 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers were part of troops, who was to act in the direction of Bethlehem. After several days fighting Bethlehem was occupied on 7th July 1900. In this operation the battalion had 3 officers and about 32 men wounded.

The battalion was sent in August to operate in the districts north-east and north-west of Pretoria, where they saw a good deal of fighting (6).

A portion of the battalion took part in the capture of the camp of Erasmus on 23rd September 1900 (6).

In November Paget returned to the east of the Pietersburg line; and on the 28th and 29th November 1900 he saw severe fighting at Rhenoster Kop, north-east of Bronkhorst Spruit. On that occasion the battalion had 11 wounded. One officer and 3 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Lord Kitchener's dispatches of 8th March 1901.

For some time the battalion operated on the Delagoa line, and when De Wet endeavored to get into Cape Colony in January 1901, battalion was temporarily brought to the Naauwpoort district, in Cape Colony, by rail. In May 1901 they were back in Transvaal.

On 25th May 1901 part of the battalion was with an empty convoy which was fiercely attacked on the Bethel - Standerton road, "the escort fighting with great gallantry. On this occasion 1 officer and 8 non-commissioned officers and men of the battalion gained mention in dispatches for exceptional gallantry (6).

For a great part of 1901 a portion of the battalion was employed in the Western Transvaal, the western part of the Orange River Colony, and in Griqualand West. On 13th January 1902 a force of 400 rebels were holding a ridge and completely commanding the line of advance. The enemy maintained their ground with great determination, but at 6.40 pm, on the arrival of a small detachment of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, the position was carried by a well executed bayonet charge. The Fusiliers lost 1 officer and 3 men killed and 6 wounded (6).

During the War the Regiment lost 6 officers and 75 ranks killed or died of disease, and 4 officers and 79 ranks wounded (6).

Private Joseph Byrne was sent back to home 30th April 1902. 9th May 1902 he was discharged from service. His total Service towards Engagement was 12 years and 121 days.

Queen South Africa medal and King South Africa medal roles confirm that he was entitled to following clasps:

Queen South Africa Medal (Approved: 18th August 1901):

● Cape Colony 11 October 1899 - 31 May 1902

● Transvaal 24 May 1900 and 31 May 1902

● Wittebergen Battle clasp 1-29 July 1900 (7)

(7) Troops inside an area bounded by a line between Harrismith and Bethlehem, between Senekal and Clocolan, along the Basuto border and back to Harrismith.

King’s South Africa Medal (Approved: 9th May 1903):

● South Africa 1901 Awarded for service during 1901 towards the required service of 18 months.

● South Africa 1902 Awarded to those who served during 1902.

Sources:

(1) Frederick Myatt, The British Infantry 1660-1945 "The Evolution of a Fighting Force”

(2) County Kerry – Military Records

http://homepage.eircom.net/~dinglemaps/genuki/KER/Military/index.html

(3) The National Archives

Joseph Byrne – Short Service Attestation/ Army Form B.205.

(4) AngloBoerWar – Royal Munster Fusiliers

http://www.angloboerwar.com/imperial-units/574-royal-munster-fusiliers

(5) KSA and QSA medal roles

1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (WO 100/347)

(6) Royal Munster Fusiliers Association

http://www.rmfa92.org/history8.html.

(7) Boer War 1899 – 1902

http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/boer_war.htm

[Noor]

Next medal, what I got, is Victory medal, named to "42118 PTE C RAMSAY R IR RIF"

Just to be sure - does 10/ front of regimental number means that Charles Ramsay served in the 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast)?

From where I can find the SWB input (when he got wounded, etc?)

and as well this one...

Charles Ramsay

Private

Royal Irish Rifles

Victory medal named to “42118 PTE. C.RAMSAY. R.I.RIF.”

Medal index card confirms his battalion: Regimental number 10/42118. Pte, Charles Ramsay served with the 10th (Service) Battalion (East South Belfast).

Victory Medal medal role B/104//319/2924

BWM medal role B/104//319/2924

SWB medal role P/941

Charles Ramsay

The 10th Battalion of Royal Irish Rifles was formed by men from Ulster Volunteer Force in September 1914. The main formation and training took place in a new camp at Donard Lodge near Newcastle, Co. Down. The new battalion was attached to the 107th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The division's insignia was the Red Hand of Ulster (in Irish: Lámh Dhearg Uladh) (2).

July 1915 battalion was moved to Seaford, Sussex, to complete training before their embarkation to France. The troops travelled by train to Dublin where they boarded a ship bound for Holyhead in Wales (5).

10th Battalion landed in Boulogne in October 1915 (1). At this time, 107th Brigade was short period attached to the 4th Division (5th November 1915 until 3rd February 1916), but moved back to 36th (Ulster) Division (4).

Charles Ramsay enlisted was to service on the 4^th of December 1915, as one of the 31 men who start service in colors at this month from Belfast (3). His regimental number was 42118.

One of the biggest battles, what 10th Battalion took part in, was the first day of the Somme Offensive, Battle of Albert (1st – 13th July 1916) in Thiepval Wood area. Their objective, the Grand court Line, was only 600 meters away but many fell in no man's land. Notwithstanding this, they were also hit by friendly fire when the British barrage caught up with them, causing heavy casualties. They were forced to lie in the grass without cover until the barrage moved on, which enabled the Germans time to man the lines at Beaucourt Redoubt and Grand court and open fire on them, causing even more casualties (5).

The whole 36th Division on the 1^st of July alone had around 5,550 casualties (with as many as 2,000 dead) (3).

New drafts were added to the Ulster Division to replace the losses incurred on the Somme, and by late July the Division was positioned in Messines in Belgium.

The next large battle, where Private Charles Ramsay’s battalion fiought took place on the 7th June – 14th June 1917 – The Battle of Messines. This battle became famous because of the mining operation, where Royal Engineers laid 22 mines in tunnels under German trenches, which had in total 445 tones of explosive. The evening before the attack, General Plumer remarked to his staff, "Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography." (6).

The 36th Division objective was a line from Lumm Farm to a rail cutting on the Wytschaete-Oosttaverne road, involving the complete 107th and 109th Brigades with the 11th and 12th Royal Irish Rifles from the 108th in support. This battle became decisive British victory.

10th Battalion (South Belfast) Royal Irish Rifles was amalgamated with the 9th Battalion to form 8/9th Battalion on the 29th August 1917. When the Ulster Division reorganized in January and February 1918, several regular battalions joined, and the 8/9th Royal Irish Rifles Battalion were disbanded on the 7th February 1918. Most of the men from 10th Battalion went to newly formed 21st Entrenching Battalion (3).

It is impossible to say when Private Charles Ramsay got wounded and which unit he was in before war ended for him. Silver War Badge role input confirms only that he was discharged due to wounds 14th September 1918.

Source:

(1) The Long, Long Trail – The Royal Irish Rifles 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/ririfles.htm

(2) 36th (Ulster) Division – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36th_(Ulster)_Division

(3) Belfast Boys, Richard S.Grayson

How unionists and nationalists fought and died together in the first world war

(4) 36th (Ulster) Division

http://www.warpath.orbat.com/divs/36_div.htm

(5) History of the Royal Irish Rangers

http://www.royalirishrangers.co.uk/read.html

(6) Battle of Messines – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Messines

[Noor]

The "10/" would indicate that he served with the 10th Bn, R.Irish Rifles, but the fact that he has a very high five figure number(42118) may require further investigation, as each R.Irish Rifles service battalion seem to have began at number '1'. Therefore I would think that this may be a mid to late war enlistment.

Silver War Badge Rolls are only availible for viewing at the NRO, Kew and are not to be found in any electronic form. The same also applies to the Medal Roll Books.

Your knowledge is second to none! No I know that Ramsay high regimental number most likelly shows that he enlisted actually from England (maybe via some reserve battalions) and his number remained the same.

I have copies of his medal role inputs - no sign of other units. Only 10th RIR have been listed. HOWEVER, I just found out that on the 9th July 1917 Irish Times reported Ramsay was wounded and his next of kin was given as living in Wandsworth, London.

Thank you again,

Timo

[Noor]

next arrival - just BWM but I like more and more option to dig out information about the owner thumbsup

Michael Leonard Kearns (1892 – xxxx)

Private

7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

Regimental number 23508

Private Michael L. Kearns was entitled to:

Victory medal (Roll B.10 SB9 Page 987)

British War Medal (Roll B.10 SB9 Page 987)

Silver War badge (B/731)

Michael Kearns was born in Co. Roscommon, Roxborough in 1892 as a son of John and Maria Kearns. He had two older brothers Thomas and Peter. They were Roman Catholic’s and their trade was listed on the Irish Census as farmers (7).

Michael enlisted on the 9th September 1915 into the service most likely under the New Army (Kitchener’s Army) Scheme where each man would sign up for "general service" terms of three years or the duration of the war (whichever was the longer) and would agree to serving anywhere the army needed them (3/4/5).

Private Michael Kearns was accepted as fit for the Army and he enlisted at Armagh as a private in the 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. His regimental number is recorded as 23508 (1).

The 7th Battalion was part of 49th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division what was called up as a part of K2 Army Group. After forming in Armagh, battalion was moved to Tipperary for initial training where they stayed for a year.In September 1915 the unit was moved to England at Pirbright. In February 1916 the battalion landed in France (2).

After few a months, when the battalion started service in France, Private Michael Kearns was wounded in May 1916 (9/10). His wound was serious enough to have him honorably discharged on the 3rd May 1918 when he was 26 years of age.

Also he received Silver War Badge (sometimes known as the Discharge Badge or Wound Badge) number 407387 (9).

Sources:

(1) Medal Index Card

(2) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians

http://www.1914-1918.net/rifus.htm

(3) Ireland and World War I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_and_World_War_I

(4) The Long, Long Trail, 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/kitcheners.htm

(5) Kitchener's Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchener's_Army

(6) The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War

http://freespace.virgin.net/sh.k/49diary.html

(7) The National Archives of Ireland – Census of Ireland 1911

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

(8) BWM and VM Medal Role - Infantry Record Office, Island Bridge, Dublin

(9) Silver War Badge Role - Infantry Record Office, Island Bridge, Dublin

(10) Irish Independent, Monday, May 29, 1916

[Noor]

And one more write-up... a little pit different type of soldier

John Anderson (1891 – xxxx)

Private

1st/2nd/3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers

1914-15 Star named to: “Pte. 6273 J.Anderson R.IR.FUS”

Private John Anderson was entitled to:

1914-1915 Star (Roll 13/3 Page 3)

Victory Medal (Roll 13/103 B2 Page 144)

British War Medal (Roll 13/103 B2 Page 144)

John Anderson born in Glasgow on the 1891. He was 5 feet and 6 ¾ inches tall. John marked his trade as a riveter. He got married to Rachael McNally in Glasgow on the 13th September 1914. At this time they lived in 3 Muirhead Street, Partick, Glasgow (2).

When the Great War broke out, John attended to the Glasgow recruitment depot on the 16th November 1914 and was accepted as a fit for army service. After that he was appointed to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, located in Londonderry, Ireland. His regimental number was 6273 (1/2). This battalion was depot/training unit.

John received his initial training there and on the 31st January 1915 he was sent to France where he landed a day later and was attested to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (2/5).

At this time battalion was part of 82nd Brigade, 27th Division, under Brigadier-General J R Longley command, HQ south of the Menin Road at Hooge (7). One of the biggest battles, where battalions engaged at this time was Second battle of Ypres (22nd April – 25th May 1915).

On the Western front Private John Anderson served only 120 days. On the 9th June 1915 he received a gun shot wound to the chest and was evacuated to England (2/5). John stayed at home all together for 2 years and 294 days (2). However, his service papers includes two Glasgow Police reports about him from 9th October 1917 and 2nd November 1917 (2).

After recovering, he rejoined to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, what was based from November 1916 in Clonmany, Co.Donegal (3). He deserted 7th January 1918 and returned 30th January 1918.

John was sent to France again on the 1st April 1918 and was appointed to 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (2). Looks like luck wasn’t with him and he got wounded a second time to the face on the 11th April 1918 (2/6).

The third time he got a gun shot to the right arm on the 16th September 1918. He was evacuated to the Purfleet military hospital on the 20th August 1918 (2).

John stayed in the hospital until 10th September 1918. Then he was granted a furlough from 12th September 1918 until 21st September 1918 after what he was sent back to the regiment depot and stayed in 3rd Reserve Battalion. He never served overseas again (2).

Private John Anderson was moved to Class Z reserve on the 29th March 1919. He returned to civilian life but with an obligation to return if called upon. The Z Reserve was abolished on 31 March 1920 (4).

Last note, what I was able to locate about him is the letter to the Army, in order to get a copy of his discharge certificate, because his wife unfortunately burned his discharge note with a lot of more papers. Declaration of lose of Discharge certificate was issued 13.12.1933.On this form his address has been given as a 68 Castlebank Street, Partick, Glasgow.

Sources:

(1) Medal Index Card

(2) British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920

(3) The Long, Long Trail – The Royal Irish Fusiliers 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/rifus.htm

(4) The Long, Long Trail – Reserves and reservists the British Army of 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/reserve.htm

(5) The Irish Times, 4th Nov. 1915. Roll of Honour – last night’s lists

(6) The Irish Times, Sep. 20 1918. Irishmen and men in Irish regiments only

(7) Order of Battle of the British Second Army

http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/second-ypres-1915

[Noor]

Thomas Roberts (1890 - 08.10.1918)

Private

Royal Dublin Fusiliers/ Wiltshire Regiment

Victory Medal named to "14357 Pte. T.Roberts R.DUB.FUS"

He was entitled to:

- 1914-15 Star (Roll B/4B Page 209)

- Victory Medal (Roll B/101 B5 Page 350)

- British War Medal (Roll B/101 B5 Page 350)

Thomas Roberts was born in Shepton Mallett, Somerset on the 1890 as son of Charles and Mary Roberts. He had one sister Martha and two brothers Fred and Charles.

Thomas was married to Elsie Roberts, of Trebanog, Rhondda, Wales (1/4).

After the break out of the Great War on the 28th July 1914, many men enlisted to the Army for a war-time service only. Regarding Thomas first regimental number, it is impossible to say when exactly he entered for a service, but surely he was one of the many New Army recruits around end of 1914, early 1915.

Private Roberts attested to the Wiltshire Regiment and his service number was 13022. He enlisted from Porth, Wales recruitment depot or via recruitment officer (3).

After a short service with Wiltshire Regiment, he was transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 6th (Service) Battalion what was part of 30th Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division. His new regimental number was 14357 (2/3).

Private Roberts new Battalion set sail for Gallipoli, as part of the new Mediterranean Expeditionary Force under General Sir Ian Hamilton (9).

6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers were embarked at Devonport on the 7am on Saturday 10th July 1915 (1) and sailed on the H.M.T. Alaunia, a ship commanded by Captain Sir Arthur Henry Rostron (7), who was in charge of the RMS Carpathia when she rescued Titanic survivors.

As a part of the 10th (Irish) Division, Battalion were sent to Gallipoli via Mytilene where they took part Allies new attack against the Turkish troops on Suvla Bay what is 25 miles north of Cape Helles. (2/8/9).

Private Roberts landed on Suvla Bay at 5 am on the 7th August 1915 (1/2). They experienced a very bitter action when the battalion moved forward to positions near Chocolate Hill, also because complications with the supplies as drinking water and ammunition.

All together 569 Royal Dublin Fusiliers (as well 7th Battalion) lost their lives in Gallipoli, before the Allies withdrew from there in January 1916 (9).

On the 29th September 1915 Lieutenant General Sir Bryan Mahon arranged to move the 10th (Irish) Division from Gallipoli. 91 officers and 2,363 other ranks, including the 6th and 7th Dublin Fusiliers, sailed to Salonika.

The difficult weather and diseases caused many casualties. On the 3rd October 1915, the 6th Battalion RDF with other Divisions were at the front line and were ordered to take the village of Jenikoj. After short success, they took heavy casualties caused by their own artillery fire and Bulgarians counterattack. Also Conflicting orders made the situation more difficult and caused extra casualties. In the end 131 men from 6th Battalion were killed, wounded or missing (9).

On the 9th September 1917, the 6th Battalion as a part of 10th Division were sent to Alexandria for service in Palestine (8/9). They arrived via Egypt in Ismalia on the 12th September 1917. Battalion was attached to the XX Army Corps, that was commanded by General Philip Chetwode (10). During this campaign, 6th Battalion engaged in Third Battle of Gaza (27th October 7th November 1917) where the who 10th Division captured the Hareira Redoubt on the 7th November. Also they took part in the capture of Jerusalem and in defensive battles against Turkish counterattacks (9/10). All together these operations on the Holy Land were more successful then previous ones on 1915 and 1916.

The next move took place on the 27th April 1918, when the Battalion was removed from 10th Irish Division and sent on the 3rd July 1918 to Taranto, Italy. From there battalion was transferred by train to France and on the 21st July 1918 attached to the 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.

On the 10th September 1918 they transferred to the 198th Brigade in the same Division.

It is impossible to say which battles and engagements Private Roberts took part. Regarding his MIC and 1914-1915 Star medal role, he surely landed on Sulva Bay on the 7th August 1915 as a soldier from 6th Battalion of Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He hasn't been mentioned on the Irish Times, etc publication, so most likely he was lucky enough to not get wounded seriously during his service in Gallipoli and Balkans.

Unfortunately his luck ran out exactly one month before Armistice the with Germany when he got killed in action on the 8th October 1918 during the battle of Cambrai. At this point he held a rank Lance Corporal and he was 28 years old.

He is buried on the Guizancourt Farm Cemetry, Gouy (Aisne), among with 150 comrades, who fell early October 1918.

Sources:

(1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers a forgotten regiment

http://www.dublin-fu...st-ORs-7th.html

(2) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

http://search.ancestry.co.uk

(3) UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919

http://search.ancestry.co.uk

(4) 1891/1901 England Census

http://search.ancestry.co.uk

(5) Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)

http://www.cwgc.org/...casualty=588140

(6) Army Service Numbers 1881-1918; Wilshire Regiment

http://armyservicenu...hire%20Regiment

(7) Arthur Roston Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia..../Arthur_Rostron

(8) Royal Dublin Fusiliers A Long, Long Trail, The British Army of 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/dubs.htm

(9) Irish Battalions RDF Major Battles

http://www.greatwar.ie/ire_batmb.html

(10) XX Corps (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia....ritish_XX_Corps

Edited June 6, 2011 by Noor

[Noor]

One of my last finds and today finished write-up. No idea where he is from - can't find him on English or Irish Census (Nil results of Compelli). Also his second name don't sound like Irish or English. Unfortunately his service papers haven't survived the Blitz. But I was able to find out that he lived and died in Dublin after the war.

Anthony J Compelli (1899 – 5th December 1947)

Private

5th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers), Royal Irish Regiment

Victory Medal named to “12007 PTE.A.J.COMPELLI.R.IR.REGT”

Victory Medal (Roll A/101 B16 Page 2367)

British War Medal (Roll A/101 B16 Page 2367)

Anthony Compelli enlisted probably around 1915 into the service under the New Army (Kitchener’s Army) Scheme where each man would sign up for "general service" terms of three years or the duration of the war (whichever was the longer) and would agree to serving anywhere the army needed them (4/5).

After medical examination he was accepted fit for a front line service and sent as a Private to the 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, what was formed at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary in August 1914. His Regimental Number was 12007.

It is hard to narrow down when exactly he enlisted because of his age at this time. There is a large chance that he was later enlisted and attached to the unit after first Battalion operations as a part of Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces.

After formation, Battalion was attached to 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division (2). During the formation, June 1915 5th Battalion was converted to the Pioneer Battalion of the same Division.

The battalion was embarked at Liverpool and sailed to Gallipoli where, as part of General Sir Frederick Stopford's IX Corps, landed at Suvla Bay on 7th August 1915. 5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, the Divisional Pioneers, was first assigned to beach duty. During this time his unit saw bitter action on the landing, Battle of Sari Bair, Capture of Chocolate Hill and on the “Hill 60” (7).

30th September 1915 Battalion was moved to Salonika as a part of 10th (Irish) Division. In there they were engaged in the capture of the Karajokois, and the capture of Yenikoi (7/8).

After that the 5th Battalion was moved with the Division to Egypt - Palestine on the 18th August 1917, where they were involved in the Third Battle of Gaza, the Capture of the Sheria Position and the Capture of Jerusalem (7/8).

On the 1st of April 1918 Private Compelli’s Battalion was transferred to 52nd (Lowland) Division and moved to France (2).

The next move took place on the 31st May 1918 when they were transferred to Lines of Communication. 14th July 1918. They were attached to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division as Pioneer Battalion (2).

The Royal Irish Regiment was one of the five disbanded units under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty after the recognition of the Republic of Ireland in 1922 (2).

After demobilization, Anthony lived in 11 Summer Hill, Dublin 1 (1). Probably after the war he got married to Mary Compelli and they had one son James Compelli (6). Also at some point they moved to the 19 Great Charles Street, Dublin 1 (6).

Anthony died on the 5th December 1947 at age 48 and he is buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, County Dublin, Ireland.

Sources:

(1) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

(2) The Long, Long Trail, 1914-1918 – Royal Irish Regiment

http://www.1914-1918.net/rireg.htm

(3) Glasnevin Cemetery – County Dublin, Ireland

http://www.interment.net/data/ireland/dublin/glasnevin/

(4) The Long, Long Trail, 1914-1918 - Kitchener's Army

http://www.1914-1918.net/kitcheners.htm

(5) Kitchener's Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchener's_Army

(6) Glasnevin Trust - Genealogy search results

https://www.glasnevintrust.ie

(7) 10th (Irish) Division - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_(Irish)_Division

(8) 10th (Irish) Division – The Long, Long Trail, 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/10div.htm

[Noor]

George Robinson (xxxx – 17.10.1918)

Private

2nd/6th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

1914-1915 Star, named to “8226 PTE.G.ROBINSON R.D.FUS”

Regarding Medal Index Card, he was entitled:

- 1914-15 Star (R.Dub.Fus. Roll B/7B Page 310)

- British War Medal (Roll B/101 B2 Page 84)

- Victory Medal (Roll B/101 B2 Page 84)

According to an Ancestry notification and an Irish Independent article, George Robinson was born and raised in Dublin (2/8). Unfortunately there are four George Robinson’s from Dublin on the 1901 Irish Census whose age would broadly fit, therefore it is at this point impossible to narrow him down without any extra information.

His service number confirms that George enlisted as a private around 1903 in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers (number 7999 joined on 9th October 1902 and number 8823 joined on 15th September 1903) for a period of 7 year’s full time service with the colours and another 5 on the National Reserve. His regimental number was 8226 (1/3/8).

Probably during this time he also served abroad if he was posted to the 1st Battalion which was based in Crete and Malta. From 1906 they were posted in Egypt. 2nd Battalion was in Buttevant, Cork after the Boer War. They left for Aldershot, England in 1910 and remained there until Great War begun in 1914 (7).

After his full-time service with the colours, he was sent to the reserves around 1910.

When the Great War broke out, reservists were called up for service in August and September 1914. It was most likely that one of those called up was George Robinson. After retraining and completing musketry courses in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers depot in Naas at the end of 1914 and first part of 1915, he was attached to the 2nd Battalion (nicknamed ‘The Old Toughs’), Royal Dublin Fusiliers (10). Private Robinson landed in France on 13th July 1915 (1).

At this time his battalion was part of 10th Brigade in 4th Division and was positioned around the town of Le Cateau (5). The 2nd Battalion took heavy casualties previously on the 24th may 1915 during battle of Ypres. The Germans launched a heavy bombardment and the first large scale gas attack against their position at 2:45. By 9:30 the battalion had lost 645 men out of 666, of whom 149 were listed as dead. One of the reasons for the high number of casualties was that they didn’t have any defences against the gas attack (5).

George served in France and Flanders until the summer of 1916. On the 29th July 1916 the Irish Independent notes that Private Robinson got wounded in action (9). Most likely he was sent back home to recover.

When he became fit again for frontline service, George was posted to the 6th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers (10). At the end of 1916 and early1917 this unit was part of 30th Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division and served in Salonika and from September 1917 was moved to Egypt for service in Palestine (2).

It is impossible to say from what moment Private Robinson was attached to this unit and if he saw any action with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces.

On the 27th April 1918 the 6th Battalion left from the 10th (Irish) Division. They sailed to Taranto, Italy from where they were moved to France by train and attached to the 197th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 21st July 1918 (2).

On the 10th September 1917 the Battalion was transferred to 198th Brigade in same the Division.

Private George Robinson met his ultimate faith on the first day of the Battle of Selle, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy (17th – 20th October 1918) (4/6/8). He was killed in action on the 17th October 1918. In the same operation, 57 men of the Battalion were killed, 325 men were wounded and 16 men missing in action (11).

George Robinson is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery, Northern France, grave V.F.11 next to 511 other war casualties (8/12).

Sources:

(1) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

http://search.ancestry.co.uk

(2) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians

http://www.1914-1918.net

(3) British Army service numbers

http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com

(4) Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=595092

(5) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a Forgotten Regiment

http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/

(6) History of the Great War – Principal Events Timeline – 1918

http://www.greatwar.co.uk/timeline/ww1-events-1918.htm#october

(7) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers

(8) UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919

http://search.ancestry.co.uk

(9) Irish Independent, Saturday, July 29, 1916

(10) BWM and VM Medal Role - Infantry Record Office, Island Bridge, Dublin

(11) 6th Royal Dublin Fusiliers War Diary – October 1918

(12) Cemfranord

http://www.inmemories.com/Cemeteries/lecateaumil.htm

Hi Star and picture of his grave (from TWGPP)

[Noor]

Thomas Deegan (December 1892 - xxxx)

Private

1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles

1914 Star (Mons Star) named to “9638 PTE T.DEEGAN. 1/R.IR:RIF”

Two Medal Index Cards indicates that Private Deegan was entitled to:

- 1914 Star (Roll B3 / Page21)

- Victory Medal (Roll B104 B11 / Page 1550)

- British War Medal (Roll B104 B11 / Page 1550)

- Silver War Badge (No. 283545)

- King’s Certificate (No. 4437)

Thomas Deegan was born in Dublin, St.Michan’s Parish in 1893 as a son of Michael and Anne Deegan. Deegan’s family lived 8 North Ann Street, Dublin (2/3).

Thomas lists his trade as a farm labourer. He had two sisters, Mary and Christina and two brothers, Edward and John. They were Roman Catholic (3).

According his medical papers, he was 5 feet and 4 inches tall, weighed 126 pounds, eyes brown, with hair fair (2).

After his childhood in Dublin, Thomas went to Glencree, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow Industrial School, which was run by Oblate Brothers and was in an old military barracks. Ironically, during the war British authorities held German prisoners of war in the very same barracks (2/6).

When school was finished on the 5th May 1911 he enlisted from Belfast, at age 18, to 7 years full time service with the colours and another 5 on the National Reserve. Medical examination accepted Thomas as fit for the Army and he was moved to the Royal Irish Rifles Depot on 12th May 1911 what were quartered in Victoria Barracks, Belfast (11).

He received his initial training there until 4th August 1911, when he was posted to 2nd Battalion of Royal Irish Rifles.

Private Deegan’s service continues the following year in Ireland until 11th December 1912, when he was attached to the 1st Battalion and was sent for service in Aden, what was part of British India at this time. Because it was an important location as an entrance to the Red Sea, the 1st Battalion was a garrison battalion there and looked after vital points against sabotage - power station, the condensing plants and the cables from the forts to the station at the top of Jebel Shamsan (better known as Shum-Shum, the highest mountain in Aden).

After the outbreak of the Great War, the British Empire tried to get all available regular army units back from the colonies if the local situation permitted. On 27th September 1914 the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles embarked at Aden on the ship Delaware, all together 19 officers and 990 other ranks and on the 22nd October they arrived at Liverpool. His battalion was attached to the 25th Infantry Brigade from 8th Division.

Private Deegan was given a short time period for acclimatization and rest after a month on board the ship. At 6 p.m. on 5th November the 1st Battalion embarked on the Anglo-Canadian at Southampton and landed at Le Havre the next day.

The battalion moved first to billets at Neuf Berquin on the night of 11th November (4).

During this time, he saw some action on the wet trenches. Because his unit were still getting used to trench warfare, German snipers caused serious losses, probably half of the battalion’s 41 casualties on November (4). Towards the end of 1914 his battalion experienced the so called “Christmas truce” when Germans came out of their trenches on Christmas Eve and met some of the riflemen on “No Man’s Land” (4).

But war went on. January and February 1915 passed quietly for the 1st Battalion with altogether some 60 casualties (4).

During the first week of March they started preparing for the Battle of Neuve Chapelle with the objective of securing Aubers Ridge. The battle started for the 1st Battalion started on the 10th March at 3:45 a.m. when they assembled in an orchard 600 yards north of Pont Logy. 8:05 a.m. many men from battalion moved behind 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, who took their objective easily. But German brought in fresh reserve troops and the battle for the village of Neuve Chapelle went on. On the 12th March 3 a.m., 1st Battalion received orders to move forward for a new attack. There was some confusion and misunderstanding with regard to this new attack. With no artillery support, men tried to advance under heavy German bombardment and machine gun fire. 1st Battalion casualties were heavy; 113 men killed, 279 wounded and 15 missing. Private Thomas Deegan got shot in the neck and was moved back home on the 14th March 1915 (2/4). This is stated as well on the 16th April 1915 in The Irish Times (10).

After his wound healed, he was transferred on the 7th May 1915 to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles which was at this time stationed in Belfast (2/5). At this time he did something for which he was punished on the 18th May 1915 and received 14 day’s detention and fined 4 day’s pay for absence (2).

On the 14th June 1915 he was posted back to 1st Battalion and he found himself again in Flanders day after. While here, on the 26th July 1915 he got his next punishment; given 14 day’s Field Punishment No. 1 for absence from Parade and it consisted of the convicted man being placed in fetters and handcuffs or similar restraints and attached to a fixed object, such as a gun wheel, for up to two hours per day. (2/7).

At this time the 1st Battalion was still in the flat country between Armentières and La Bassée Canal (4). The next engagement took place on the 25th September 1915 on Bois Grenier and was designed purely to pin down German reserves and serve as a diversion from the affair at Loos. At 3:30 a.m., after 4 day’s bombardment, A and B companies were in position on the Rue des Layes. They suffered a minor catastrophe, when a Stokes shell exploded and set all their smoke bombs on fire.

On the 30th September the Battalion was relieved and withdrew to rest at Pont Mortier. On 4th October they were inspected by the commander of the III Corps, Lieutenant-General Sir William Pulteney. It then returned to the usual routine of trench warfare, still in the neighbourhood of Bois Grenier (4).

The next significant battle, where Thomas took part was the Battle of Somme, what started for them on 1st July 1916 7:30 a.m. after a final hurricane bombardment. His battalion’s objective was the German strongpoint at Beaumont Hamel. The 1st Battalion captured the position known as the Quadrilateral but they had to withdraw due to the isolation of their position (8). Fighting was bitter in first day and the battalion lost its commanding officers, 17 killed, 348 wounded (many died later), 27 missing 8 classed as wounded and missing (4).

Thomas got gun shot to his face on the 4th July and was evacuated back home. After recovering he found himself first again on the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion from 3rd October 1916. He was accepted fit for a frontline service after two months and was posted back to the 1st Battalion on the 29th December 1916 (2).

At this time the battalion was in line in the Sailly-Saillisel area. There were some local operations in March which was successful for the battalion.

New orders from the 5th February 1917 transferred Private Deegan to the 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, which was part of 107th Brigade in 36th (Ulster) Division (2/5).

Luck wasn’t with him again on the 4th June 1917 when he received a gunshot to his right knee. But it probably wasn’t too serious because he wasn’t sent back home at this time.

The next big engagement for his new Battalion was at the Battle of Passchendaele where Thomas got wounded again on the 5th August 1918 but stayed in France.

As an old frontline soldier, he found time to make problems for his officers and on the 6th November 1917 he got 14 days Field Punishment No.1 again because of his drunkenness (2).

A few years’ front line war had adversely affected his health and on the 21st November 1917 he collapsed after marching 6km from billets. An officer called for the doctor who examined him and then sent him to the Royaulcourt field dressing station in France for further examination. He was back with the 15th Battalion in early December (2).

They engaged next month in large battle – The 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 defenses consisted of a number of isolated redoubts, in which the 15th Battalion was in the front and held on for several hours while under bombardment and ultimately being surrounded and cut off (12).

During 1918 Thomas was involved in many battles on the Western front; Battle of Rosieres (26th-27th March), Battle of Messines (10th-11th April), Battle of Bailleul (13th-15th April), First Battle of Kemmel (17th-19th April).

In 17th August 1918 he suffered gas attack but again, stayed in Flanders.

At the end of the year, the 15th Battalion took part in the Battle of Ypres (28th Sepetember-2nd October), Battle of Courtrai (14th-19th October) and Action of Ooteghern on the 25th October 1918.

After the end of the Great War, Thomas was stationed in France until 12th February 1919. He was then posted to the Dispersal Unit No.1.

He was discharged on 13th March 1919 under paragraph 392 (XVIA) of King's Regulations 1912 what was amended by Army Order 245 of August 1918 (1/13).

According to his Pension records, he was entitled to 5/6 pension from his discharge date because the medical commission found that he suffered from Neurasthenia which caused 20% disablement (2).

The last details about Thomas which I was able to find show that in 1919 he wasn’t married. He lived after the demobilization in 33 Summer Hill, Dublin.

His 1914 Star (Mons Star) was approved by Infantry Record Office, Island Bridge, Dublin on the 2nd September 1919.

Sources:

(1) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

(2) British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920

(3) Ireland Census 1911 – National Archive: Census of Ireland 1901/1911

(4) The Royal Irish Rifles in the Great War by Cyril Falls

(5) Royal Irish Rifles – The Long, Long Trail - The British Army of 1914-1918

http://www.1914-1918.net/ririfles.htm

(6) Glencree – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glencree

(7) Filed Punishment – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_punishment

(8) Department of Taoiseach – Irish Soldiers in the Battle of Somme

http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/

(9) The 1st Royal Irish Rifles in the Great War by James W. Taylor

(10) The Irish Times, April 16, 1915

(11) The Royal Irish Rifles 1914-1918

http://royalirishrifles.webs.com/

(12) 36th (Ulster) Division

http://www.warpath.orbat.com/divs/36_div.htm

(13) A Guide to WW1 Causes of Discharge - Paragraph 392 of King's Regulations 1912

http://www.forrestdale.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/KingsRegs1912/para-16.html

[Noor]

Todays arrival:

Robert Jones

Acting Sergeant

2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers

British War Medal, named to: “11066 R.JONES R.IR.FUS.”

He was entitled following awards:

Victory Medal (Role B/103 B4 Page 319)

British War Medal (Role B/103 B4 Page 319)

1915 Star (Role B3A Page 21)

Robert enlisted to the army most likely around 1912 as his regimental number shows (No. 10947 joined on 23rd February 1912 and 11235 joined on 6th March 1913) (3). After he was accepted as fit for service, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (known as a “Faugh-a-Ballaghs” - Clear the Way) (4). His regimental number was 11066 (1).

At this time his battalion served in India, Quetta, Baluchistan as a part of 4th (Quetta) Division, 2nd Quetta Infantry Brigade, whose commander was VC winner Major General Sir Charles John Melliss (6/7).

Probably Robert was posted to there after his initial training around 1912-1913 from the regimental garrison depot was located at Armagh town (4).

When the Great War started, 2nd Battalion was shipped back to Europe. They arrived to Magdalen hill Camp, Winchester on 20th November 1914 and were attached to the 82nd Brigade in 27th Division.

After one month preparations and training, they landed in Le Havre, France on the 19th December 1914 (1/2/5). When the whole division was in place, they positioned in the area between Aire and Arques (9).

His service must be excellent because like 1915 Star role states, he was promoted to the rank Lance Corporal (5). In there he experienced his first horrific Western Front battles.

Following year battalion was involved in the Second battle of Ypres (22nd April – 25th May 1915). At this time his brigade was under Brigadier-General J R Longley command, HQ south of the Menin Road at Hooge (8).

End of the 1915, Division was ordered to be relocated to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. 17th November began embarkation and it took up to 13th February 1916, when the whole Division units where moved to Salonika (9).

Because there aren’t any notes in the newspapers and no SWB input on his Medal Index Card, I assume that Robert took part of that move.

During this year, his Division was involved following operations; capture of Karajakois (30th September – 2nd October 1916), capture of Yenikoi (3rd-4th October 1916) (9).

Next move took place on the 2nd of November 1916 when the 2nd Battalion was transferred to 31st Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division (2).

2nd Battalion took positions around Kalendra between 27th April and 25th May 1917. Then they manned the outpost line in Sturma valley, what is located between Yenikoi and Karajakoi Zir from 25th May until 12th June 1917 (10).

On 18th August 1917, the Division was ordered to concentrate at the port of Salonika for embarkation. Early in September it moved to Egypt, completing assembly near Rafa by 16th October 1917.

Robert’s battalion was involved in the Palestine campaign thereafter and took part following battles in 1917: Third Battle of Gaza (27th October – 7th November), Capture of the Sheria Position (6th November), Capture of Jersusalem (7th December – 9th December) (11/12). In 1918 they engaged in the Battle of Tell'Asur (8th – 12th March 1918) and the Battle of Nablus (18th-21st September) (12).

On 12th November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, ready for moving back to Egypt. By 1st December it was at Cairo (11).

During 1914-1918 Robert was promoted to the rank Acting Sergeant. There are no other inputs about his demobilization or his personal life after the Great War.

Regarding Ancestry and Commonwealth War Graves Commission research, he survived the war (13/14).

Sources:

(1) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

(2) Royal Irish Fusiliers - The Long, Long Trail

http://www.1914-1918.net/rifus.htm

(3) Army Service Numbers 1881-1918

http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/

(4) Royal Irish Fusiliers – Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Irish_Fusiliers

(5) 1914-1915 Star Roll - Infantry Record Office, Island Bridge, Dublin

(6) 4th (Quetta) Division – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_(Quetta)_Division

(7) Charles John Melliss – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_John_Melliss

(8) Order of Battle of the British Second Army

http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/second-ypres-1915

(9) 27th Division - The Long, Long Trail

http://www.1914-1918.net/27div.htm

(10) UNCAT Record

http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/

(11) 10th (Irish) Division - The Long, Long Trail

http://www.1914-1918.net/10div.htm

(12) 10th (Irish) Division

http://www.warpath.orbat.com/divs/10_div.htm

(13) Commonwealth War Graves Commission

http://www.cwgc.org/

(14) Family Tree, Genealogy and Census Records - Ancestry.co.uk

http://www.ancestry.co.uk/

[IrishGunner]

Nice research, Timo - matches exactly what I had surmised.

[Noor]

Hi guys,

I have been lucky to be able to purchase medals from almost each battalion from Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

Here is one weird set. As medal role indicates, this lad served only with the 11th RDF and later on was transfered to the RASC.

As far I know 11th RDF didn't serve overseas at all because it was a Reserve Battalion. Some how his medals are impressed to RDF anyway!

William Joseph Dodds (1899-xxxx)

Private

11th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Royal Dublin Fusiliers 30413

Army Service Corps M/332797

He was entitled to:

Victory Medal (RASC/101. Roll 230 Page 23657)

British War Medal (RASC/101. Roll 230 Page 23657)

Silver War Badge (RASC/4474)

William was born in 1886 in Belfast to an Irish family. He married Alice Rose and they had two children William and Samuel. During this time he worked as a general laborer and Dodds’ family lived at 3 Dunlops Place, Cromac, Co.Antrim (7).

When war broke out, William enlisted under the Derby scheme on the 5th December 1915 and he was called up next summer, when he started his service with the 11th (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers which was formed in Dublin in July 1916 (5/7).

The battalion was absorbed with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion in May 1918 which was located at Grimbsy as a part of Humber Garrison (4).

Private Dodds next transfer took place on the 4th October 1918 and he was transferred to the Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport unit (3/5). His new service number was M/332797.

William was discharged from the service due to sickness (Kings Regulations 392/ XVI - No longer physically fit for war service.) on the 17th May 1919 and he was granted the Silver War Badge, number B318513 (6).

It is impossible to say when William served overseas and which theater of war. Medal roles do not show him serving with the other Royal Dublin Fusiliers battalion. However, his Victory Medal and British War medal pair are named to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

Source:

(1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment

http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/battaliions/7-batt/ORs-7th-bn/list-ORs-7th.html

(2) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

http://search.ancestry.co.uk

(3) World War 1 medal abbreviations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_medal_abbreviations

(4) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians

http://www.1914-1918.net

(5) Victoy Medal and British War Medal roll – R.A.S.C.

(6) Silver War Badge roll – R.A.S.C.

(7) Ireland Census 1911

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie