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Some bits and pieces from my small collection
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Thanks Mr.Poo:D
Research turned out almost nothing. Even I wasn't able to confirm his battalion via medal role.
Frederick G Stratton
Private. Service number 29204
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Regarding his service number, Frederick was listed with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers around end of 1916/early 1917. Service number 27459 joined 14th August 1916 (Derby) and number 29368 joined to the 11th Battalion 21st February 1917 (1/2).
Unfortunately his Medal Index Card don’t show what time he entered to the Theatre of War but still provides his Great War awards entitlement and units where he served with (2).
However, medal role shows that Private Stratton served with the Royal Engineer’s before the move to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and his service number was at this time (T) 649. Most likely he didn’t serve abroad at this time.
Then he was listed to the Training Reserve Battalion (service number 8421) after what he was moved to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. It is impossible to say where, when and with what Battalion he saw action or even did he saw action at all with the Dubs. Although Private Stratton’s Victory Medal and British War medal are both impressed to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Like medal role confirms, he was moved back to the Royal Engineers with the service number 334503 in the end of the War and he served as a Sapper.
I wasn’t able to locate him on the publications or census lists.
Sources:
(1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Ancestry.co.uk
www.ancestry.co.uk
(2) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
(3) WO329, RDF, British Army Medal Roles, Infantry Record Office, Dublin
(4) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians
http://www.1914-1918.net
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Killed few days before the end of the war.[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lawrence O’Neill[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (1883-1918)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]29036[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lawrence O’Neill was entitled:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Victory Medal (Roll B/101. B11 Page 912)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British War medal (Roll B/101. B11 Page 912)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lawrence was born in Islington, Middlesex at 1883. He lived in Islington whole his life and he was married with the Alice O’Neill.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Great War broke out, Lawrence enlisted to the Queen’s ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]West Surrey) Regiment from Whitehall, Middlesex and his[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] service number was 37596 (1).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Probably after short period of time and initial training, he was sent to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a reinforcement. His new service number was 29036. Regarding his service number, this move took place most likely around November-December 1916 (2). Book “Crown and Company” mention a new draft of 300 soldiers, who arrived at this time to the 2nd Battalion (4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During this time 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers was transferred to the 48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division on the 16th November 1916 (3). End of the year 2nd Battalion strength was 32 officers and 957 non-commissioned officers and men (4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Most likely at this time he saw action in Western front, when 2nd Battalion took part battles of Messines and third Ypres, gaining heavy casualties. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Because Royal Dublin Fusiliers lost were high, in 1918 February 200 men from 8th and 9th battalions were absorbed with the 2nd battalion. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Next 2nd Battalion took hard hit during German Spring Offensive ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Kaiserchlacht[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]), what began 21st March 1918. 1st June cadre was transferred to 94th Brigade in 31st Division and middle of June transferred to Lines of Communications. In July attached to the 149th Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division (2).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the end of the war, 2nd Battalion was near Mormal Forest what XIIIth Corps planned to attack with the three divisions. One of them was as well 50th Division.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During the attack on the 4th November at 6.15 a.m. 2nd Battalion were in brigade reserve and moved forward from Fontaine-au-Bois 730 meters in rear of the attacking battalions, coming almost at once under a heavy barrage fire. During this day the Battalion lost 1 officer and 10 men killed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]One of them was also Private Lawrence O’Neill, when he found his ultimate faith just 7 days before end of the Great War. Also this was the last action in which the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers took part in its history (4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lawrence was 35 years old at this time. His last resting place is in Cross Roads Cemetery, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frontaine-Au-Bois. Grave Reference I. A. 34.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Most likely he was English born Irish because he is printed on the Irish casualties during the Great War list.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sources:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) Family Tree, Genealogy and Census Records - Ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.ancestry.co.uk/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) “Crown and Company” 1911-1922, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Colonel H.C.Wylly, C.B.[/FONT]
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Dublin man who was gassed most likely...[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Patrick Griffin[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (xxxx – 27.04.1916)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private, 14521[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Patrick was entitled:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Victory Medal (Roll B/101 B5 Page 354)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] War Medal (Roll B/101 B5 Page 354)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1914-15 Star (Roll B6B Page 147)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Like Ireland Casualties list of World War I and The Irish Times confirm, Patrick born and lived in Dublin. Unfortunately it is impossible to narrow him down yet on the Irish Census ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]5/8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Great War broke out, new service battalions were raised next to the regular two Royal Dublin Fusiliers units and man[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] signed up for three years war service or the duration of the war (whichever was the longer) (3).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]One of these new units was 8th (Service) Battalion, (nickname “[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]shining eight[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]”).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Battalion was formed in September 1914 and was attached to the 48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division (3). Regarding Patrick’s service number - 14521, he enlisted around 18-26 September 1914 from Dublin recruitment depot or via recruitment officer in Dublin.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Battalion was sent to the Buttevant and later on next year to the Ballyhooley for initial training. In [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]September 1915 they left [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]for a final three months of training at Blackdown near Aldershot in Surrey.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (1/3).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Training wasn’t accurate; it mainly consisted of route marching and limited target practice. On the 2nd of December, the whole 16th Division was inspected by Queen Mary. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On the 18th of December 1915, the 16th (Irish) Division was sent to France. As well Private Patrick Griffin landed in there on the 20th December 1915 (2/7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Beginning of 1916 they spent “Acclimatizing” men for the trauma of trench warfare behind main front line (7). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Their first sector became muddy trenches around Hulluch near the French village of Loos (7). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But the storm was on the way – German launched Battle of Hulluck (27-29 April [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1916) hit the whole Irish Division hardly and they suffered massive casualties (7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lots of them by German gas attack, when they released 3,800 [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]cylinders of gas along a 3 km front.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hulluch was one of the most heavily-concentrated gas attacks of the war.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] 16th (Irish) Division suffered[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] 2,128 Irish causalities; approx. 538 were killed. Many of the survivors suffered chronic lung and breathing conditions for the rest of their lives and many died years later as a result of this attack. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Chaplain to the Dublin Fusiliers described the scenes after the attack in a letter home to his father:[/FONT]
“[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Many men died before I could reach them and were gone before I could pass back. There they lay, scores of them (we lost 800, nearly all from gas) in the bottom of the trench, in every conceivable posture of human agony; the cloths torn off their bodies in a vain effort to breathe while from end to end of that valley of death came one long unceasing moan from the lips of brave men fighting and struggling for life[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif].”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]One of the soldiers who lost his life during this attack was as well Private Patrick Griffin from 8th Battalion (5/6/8) who was announced Killed in Action on the 27th April 1916. His body never identified and he is commemorated on the Loos memorial, Panel 127 to 129 next to other over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave and who are commemorated in this memorial. However, book “Ireland's unknown soldiers The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War” states that 60 men from 8th Battalion were buried in one shell hole. He could be one of them who final resting place is with his brothers in arms.[/FONT]
Regarding his last will, his property and effects went to his aunt Mrs M A Harris, 12 Christchurch Place, Dublin, Ireland
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His name was also published on the 22nd May 1916 Irish Times (8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, sans-serif]Source:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://search.ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://search.ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6) Commonwealth War Graves Commission[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]www.cwgc.org[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](7) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ireland Unknown Soldiers, The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]by Terence Denman[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](8) The Irish Times, 22nd May 1916[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](9) Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.greatwar.ie/[/FONT]
(ROI Roll of Honour is just a decoration there without any connection with the medal)
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Next my Royal Dublin Fusiliers medal came to me as a disk only. At least I was able to fix it and the research about the owner shows one another sad story from the Great War.
Charles Stevens (1889 – 23.10.1916)
Private, 18250
2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Medal entitlement of Charles Stevens:
Victory Medal (Roll B/101 B6, Page 480)
British War Medal (Roll B/101 B6, Page 480)
1914 – 15 Star (Roll B17B, Page 332)
Charles was born in Gateshead, Durham Scotland on the 1889. He was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Stevens. Before the war Charles lived in Dunfermline, Scotland. (5/6/7).
After the war broke out, Charles enlisted as a Private in the town of Hamilton, around January 1915 and was assigned to the unit of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers (5).
After his initial training, Charles was posted to the 2nd Battalion.
This Batallion fought in France during the war and had suffered numerous casualties right up until the end.(1/2/8).
Private Charles Stevens was recorded as first joining the theatre of war when he arrived in France on the 27th May 1915 (2).
It is most likely he saw action from this time onwards and engaged in various battles on French soil. At this time the battalion was part of 10th Brigade, 4th Division and engaged in the last battles of 1915 where 2nd Battalion saw action during the Summer Operations of the - St.Julien-, Frezenberg- and the Bellewaerde battles.
The following year, the main objectives for the unit were the battles of the Somme and the fields of Flanders, The dates of engagement for Pte. Steven’s unit were as follows :Battle of Guillemont (3-6 September 1916), Morval (25 – 28 September) and Transloy (1 October - 5 November) (1/3/4/8).
During this period battalion suffered many casualties. Nearing the end of a long series of fighting, the unit engaged in one major battle commonly know as a Battle of Somme
During this battle the unit planned a small attack on the 23rd October 1916 after dawn. Battalion marched to the assembly point at 4.10 p.m. & awaited further orders. After the mission objectives were identified to the troops & under own artillery forward barrage, they “went over the top” in four waves. No enemy fire was encountered until 10 yards of their own mark, know as the Gun Pits, and only then they came under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. They managed to crawl forward and eventually broke enemy lines but not with out numerous casualty’s. In the end, the fighting was so close the troops were forced to engage in frantic hand-to-hand combat with one another.
However, on this day the battalion paid the ultimate price & suffered the loss of a total of 3 officers, 14 non-commissioned officers. The unit also records that a further 36 non-commissioned officers and men were confirmed missing or assumed Killed in action.
One of the soldiers missing was 27 year old, Private Charles Stevens. His Medal Index Card states –Confirmation of death 23.10.1916.His name is listed on the 27th November the Irish Times as missing in action and he is commemorated on the Ypres (Mening Gate) memorial.
An interesting fact in relation to this battle is the mention of one of Charles comrades, Sergeant Robert Downie from B Company received a Victoria Cross for gallantry in action on the 23rd October. London Gazette (25th November 1916) states:
“At the critical moment he rushed forward alone, shouting, “Come on, the Dubs!”
Source:
(1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment
http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/
(2) British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
http://search.ancestry.co.uk
(3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians
http://www.1914-1918.net
(4) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers
(5) UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
http://search.ancestry.co.uk
(6) Commonwealth War Graves Commission
www.cwgc.org
(7) 1891 Census
http://search.ancestry.co.uk
(8) Crown and Company, 1911-1912, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers
By Colonel H.C.Wylly, C.B.
(9) The Irish Times, 27th November 1916
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Advertisement
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For a change as well one not so common ribbon bar.
This one is older Syrian ribbon bar what contains:
1. Order of Devotion
2. The Union Order
3. Victory Medal
4. Army Day Commemorative Medal
5. Medal for Commemorating the Institution of the Syrian Army
6. Medal of 8th March
So, it is from 1950-60s period and made very much French style.
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Lets continue with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers awards. Next the Blue Cap who died in Gallipoli.
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]James Logan[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (1896 – 27.10.1915)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private, 19866[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Medal entitlement of James Logan[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Victory Medal[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British War Medal[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1914-15 Star[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]James was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire on the 1896 as a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Logan. He had 6 brothers and sisters. They lived in 4 Cochran Street, Paisley (5/6/7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Great War broke out, James enlisted on the April 1915 from Paisley to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. His service number was 19866 and he served as a Private (2).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the initial training was completed, he was posted immediately to the unit, what suffered high casualties during the ongoing operations in Dardanelles – 1st Battalion of Royal Dublin Fusiliers, known as well “The Blue Caps” what was part of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]86th Brigade in 29th Division (1/2/3/4)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif].[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private Logan arrived to the Cape Helles at the 2nd August 1915. It was one of the bloodiest battle zones in earth at this time. To support Suvla bay landing, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]86th Brigade [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]launched attacks against Turkish positions between 6th - 8th August and the “Blue Caps” alone lost 3 officers, 25 men killed, 150 wounded and 30 missing in action. By the end of evacuation, 1012 men, who went to Dardanelles in April and all the reinforcements what was sent in, 830 Dubliners lost their lives (1/3/4/8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]It is sure James saw some horrific action and hard conditions in the Gallipoli. Unfortunately about 3 months after arriving, he got fatally wounded and died in the 89 (1st Highland) Field Ambulance on the 27th October 1915 when he was age 19 (5/6/10).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Major George Davidson, who was Royal Army Medical Corps officer in the 89th Field Ambulance, mention on his book “The Incomparable 29th and the “River Clyde” that on the 27th October mid day Turkish artillery opened sudden fire against the Anzac trenches from the extreme right to the extreme left. They expected first assault all along their lines but in less than 15 minutes it was all over. But this artillery attack caught many men in the open, sitting smoking on their parapets and such like, and 100 or 200 may have been knocked out (9). I presume one of them was as well Private Logan.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]James Logan is buried in Azmak Cemetery, Suvla next to other 28 men from Royal Dublin Fusiliers (6/8).[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Source:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://search.ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://search.ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6) Commonwealth War Graves Commission[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]www.cwgc.org[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](7) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1891 Census[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://search.ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](8) A Brief History of “The Blue Caps”. The 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers 1914-1922[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Patrick Hogarty[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](9) The Incomparable 29th and the “River Clyde”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]By George Davidson M.A., M.D., MAJOR, R.A.M.C.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](10) The National Archives of Scotland – SC70/8/176[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.nas.gov.uk/[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John Swan (xxxx – xxxx)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private, 16282[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]8th [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John was entitled:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- Victory medal (Roll B/101 B6 Page 408)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- British War medal (Roll B/101 B6 Page 408)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- 1915 Star (Roll B/7B Page 336)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- Silver War Badge (B/330)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John was originally from Dublin as is stated on the Irish Times roles. Unfortunately without the extra information, it is impossible to find out more about him (there is 6 John Swan’s on the Irish Census who age group would be suitable for service during the Great War)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (6).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]After the breakout of the war, John enlisted on the 22nd October 1914 to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers 8th Battalion. His service number was 16282 (2/7/8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]This Battalion was formed as a part of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]K2 and attached to 48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division. They were [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]sent to the Buttevant and later on next year to the Ballyhooley for initial training. In September 1915 they left [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]for a final three months of training at Blackdown near Aldershot in Surrey where the whole Division arrived together (1/3/4/5)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif].[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Training wasn’t accurate; it mainly consisted of route marching and limited target practice. On the 2nd of December, the whole 16th Division was inspected by Queen Mary. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On the 18th of December 1915, the 16th (Irish) Division was sent to France, where Private John Swan arrived on the 20th December 1915 (2/3/5).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Beginning of 1916 they spent “Acclimatizing” men for the trauma of trench warfare behind main front line – something, what British troops learned previously “hard way” (5). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Their first sector became muddy trenches around Hulluch near the French village of Loos (5). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But the storm was on the way – German launched Battle of Hulluck (27-29 April 1916) hit the whole Irish Division hardly and they suffered massive casualties (5).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Lots of them by German gas attack, when they released 3,800 [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]cylinders of gas along a 3 km front.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Hulluch was one of the most heavily-concentrated gas attacks of the war. 16th (Irish) Division suffered[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] 2,128 Irish causalities; approx. 538 were killed. Many of the survivors suffered chronic lung and breathing conditions for the rest of their lives and many died years later as a result of this attack (5). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Probably John can consider himself as a “lucky one, because he was listed on the[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] 19th May 1916 Irish Times as a “wounded – shock shell” (6).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]After recovery, he was back in front line.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] As a medal roll shows, Private Swan was posted to the 6th Battalion,[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] part of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]30th Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif], what fought at this time in Salonika. During their employment in Balkans,[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] they saw some bitter action and also suffered many casualties because hard winter, hot summer, mosquitoes and disease (1/3/8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Meantime John got wounded second time in the end of the year 1916. There is a note on the 6th November 1916 Irish Times, what lists him wounded at this time (6).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Most likely his last wounds were so serious, that the medical commission found him unfit for a future service and he was discharged on the 20th June 1917. He received as well Silver War Badge (number 196404) – a Great War was over for a one brave Dublin man, who did his part (7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sources:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://search.ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ireland Unknown Soldiers, The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]by Terence Denman[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6) The Irish Times, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]19th May 1916, 6th November 1916[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](7) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](9) Silver War Badge Roll Page B1103, 22.01.1919, Dublin Infantry Records[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](8) Victory Medal and British War Medal roll, Dublin Infantry Records, B408[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Peter Bradley[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private, 31644[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Peter was entitled:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Victory Medal (Roll B/101 312 Page 980)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]British War Medal (Roll B/101 312 Page 980)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]There is 40 same names in Census of Ireland 1911 and because that, impossible to narrow down him this way (1).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Peter enlisted with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the second half of the war.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Probably between end of 1916 - early 1917. He served as a Private and his service number was 31644 (2/5).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Most likely he received his initial training with the 4th Reserve Battalion and was posted out to the 1st Battalion, what fought at this time in France and Flanders as a part of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division (2/3/4)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif].[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During 1918 this Royal Dublin Fusiliers unit took part some of the biggest [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]engagements as a German Spring Offensive in March and suffered there heavy casualties. As a result of that, the 2nd Battalion was [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]amalgamated which was reduced to cadre (3/4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Later on, on the 26th April 1918 1st Battalion was transferred to 86th Brigade in 29th Division (3/4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]There are no notes about him on the materials what I have; also his service papers didn’t survived. Because that it is impossible to narrow down when Peter saw action but surely because his medal entitlements, it is possible to say that he served overseas and because he was listed as a soldier of 1st Battalion, he most likely saw action in France during 1918.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]After the war, 1st Battalion stationed in United Kingdom; Ponteland, Northumberalnd on the 1919 and during 1920 in Bordon, Hampshire (4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Probably he was one of the many soldiers, who were sent to Army Reserve after the war ended and got back in home around 1919.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sources:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) National Archives: Census of Ireland 1901/1911[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) British Army 1914-1918 Medal Index Card[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net/[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) Victory Medal and British War Medal roll, Dublin Infantry Records, B408[/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John Mitchell[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (1894 – xxxx)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Awards:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private, 11446[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]2nd Battalion ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Old Toughs[/FONT])[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif], Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- Victory Medal[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- British War Medal[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- 1914 Star[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- Silver War Badge[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John was born in Dublin in December[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]/November 1894. He was son of William Mitchell and Mary Mitchell and based on the 1901 Census of Ireland, were located at 10 Engine Alley (Wood Quay) Dublin. They were Roman Catholics and his father owned a car and worked as a licensed car driver already as early as 1901. The first car was imported into Ireland in 1899 by Dublin a doctor. In 1904 there was only 34 cars in Dublin (1/2)![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John had 9 sisters and brothers. T[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]wo of them unfortunately died at a young age (1).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1911 Census shows that they moved to 45 Long Lane (Wood Quay) Dublin. John was then 16 years old and was working as a factory boy in tobacco (1).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John enlisted first on the 12th January 1912 with the 5th Battalion what was known as the Dublin County Light Infantry Militia (2/6).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Regarding notes from his medical examination, he was 5 feet and 4 ¼ inches tall and weight 112 pounds. His eyes were blue and hair brown (2).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A year later[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif], on the 2nd January 1913, he enlisted from Gravesend to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers for a regular service. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion as a Private and his service number was 11446 (2).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Great War broke out, 2nd Battalion was stationed [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]in Gravesend, as part of 10th Brigade, 4th Division, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]commanded by Brigadier-General J.A.L. Halden C.B., D.S.O (3).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The i[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]nitial plan was to keep them there if German launched an invasion but when the British [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Expeditionary Force started to retreat from the Belgian City of Mons, they were sent in (3/7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John landed in France 23rd August 1914 as a part of main body of the battalion who was sent in [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]on the “S.S. Caledonia” (3/4)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Their main objective was to provide [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]cover for the retreat BEF. On the 26th August, they met strong German forces who surrounded them. Many were cut off and were taken prisoners (3/6/7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Battalion, badly depleted, later took part in the Battle of the Marne (5th – 9th September) that finally halted the German advance just on the outskirts of Paris. Then they were engaged on the Battle of the Aisne and Battle of Armentières in the end of the year.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Also the following year was very hard to the unit and the men who served in it. The Old Toughs took part i the Second Battle of Ypres (22nd April – 24th March 1915). They suffered heavily at the Battle of St.Julien and they experienced horrific German gas attack near Saint-Julien, which they didn’t have any defence against.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In 1916 the Battalion was transferred to the 48th brigade in 16th (Irish) Division and they took part some of the heaviest battles in the Great War; the battle of Messines, Third Battles of Ypres, 1918 the Battles of Somme. All of them causing heavy cost to the unit and the men who fought in it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In 1918 the[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] 2nd Battalion took a hard hit during the German Spring Offensive ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Kaiserchlacht[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]), which began on the 21[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]st[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of March 1918. Because of casualties in all Royal Dublin Fusiliers Battalions, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]men from disbanded 8/9 Battalion were absorbed, also amalgamated with the cadre from 1st Battalion and in June reinforcement from 7th battalion was received.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]From 1st June they were transferred to the 94th Brigade in 31st Division and they were used in Lines of Communication until July 1918 transferred to the 149th Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division (3/5/6/7/8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the war was over, during the first month of January 1919, many men were demobilized and one of these soldiers was Private John Mitchell (2/3). However, he was discharged under King’s Regulation paragraph 392 XVI.1a what means he was [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]no longer physically fit for war service.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] His papers are showing that he was d[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]discharged on the 16th January 1919 because 30% disability caused by “[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Synovitis knee[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]” ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis as well as injury or trauma) (2)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif].[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]was entitled to the Silver War Badge ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]number B86507),[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] which was posted out by Dublin, Island Bridge Infantry Records office on the 18th February 1919 (9).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Also papers showing his address [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]as 46 Long Lane, Dublin, he was 24 years and 2 months old and marital status shown single. He served all together 6 years and 13 days (2). Actually it is impressive to serve in the Western Front from 1914 to the end of the war 1918 and survive![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Unfortunately I do not have details about him after the demobilization but more research has to be done.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sources:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) National Archives: Census of Ireland 1901/1911[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) Short Service (Three years with the Colours) Attestation Form[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]3) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Crown and Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]By [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]H.C. Colonel Wylly C.B.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) British Army 1914-1918 Medal Index Card[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net/[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](7) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](8) Ireland Unknown Soldiers, The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]by Terence Denman[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](9) Silver War Badge Roll Page B1103, 22.01.1919, Dublin Infantry Records[/FONT]
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Advertisement
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Hi all,
Here is one of my new bars what I got. It is nice to pick up something "unusual" (if its cheap
) and then start checking out what it is actually.
Anyway, looks like this time I scooped ribbon bar from Rhodesia - Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately pin is broken and gone but I still like it.
1. Rhodesia General Service Medal 1965-1979
2. Zimbabwe Independence Medal, 1980 (I think this ribbon should be first actually)
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Oskar Hartwig, LtdR in FAA 242
This ribbon bar belonged to LtdR Hartwig who was before in RFAR 22. He is the only match for WgM (20.02.1918) who might have gotten a WVK4X (30.10.1915).
Member of the FAA or Flieger-Abteilung Artillerie (flying unit) and maybe the RFAR or Reserve Feldartillerie.
FAA is the abbreviation for Flieger-Abteilung (flying unit) and RFAR is the standard abbreviation for Reserve-Feldartillerie-Regiment.
FAA is the abbreviation for Flieger Abteilung Artillerie. These units directed artillery shoots on selected targets using wireless to report the fall of the shot. FFA would be for Feld Flieger Abteilung and FA would be for Flieger Abteilung. These last two are standard observation squadrons.
He was an observer with FA 242(A)w from at least (Jun17) until he was WIA on 3Sep17, but had returned by at least (Feb18).
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[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry Murray “Chippi” Letchworth, M.A.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6th February 1889 - December 1964)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Captain, Commander of “Y” Company[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry Murray Letchworth was born in 6th February 1889 at [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Exton which is small village in Hampshire, England, he had a twin brother Arthur Gordon Letchworth and older brother George Howard Letchworth.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His twin brother Arthur served with the Royal Munster Fusiliers and after the war worked as a clerk with the Health Ministry (he died in 1933).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In his early years Henry lived with his aunt at Newlyn, Adelaide Road, Kingston, Surbiton where he was recorded in the 1891 and 1901 census.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In his teenage years Henry entered the Haileybury and Imperial Service College, which is known as a [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]prestigious British independent school, near Hertford (32 km from central London).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1907 he matriculated to the Oriel College, Oxford[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif], where he studied Theology, Henry was also member of the Officer Training Corps which he left in October 1910.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]22nd July 1911 he got a 3rd class Honors Degree, 4 years later, on the 3rd April 1915 he achieved a Master’s Degree.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At the same[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] Henry started working as an Assistant Master on the [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Beechmont Preparatory School, Sevenoaks and he lived at 3 Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Great War broke out, Henry responded to the King’s call and put his application forward on the 22nd March 1915 to become an officer in the British Army, his candidature was accepted and he was appointed a commission in the Special Reserve of Officers with the 4th Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On the 20th of December 1915 the London Gazette supplement confirmed that 2nd Lieutenant Henry M. Letchworth has attested to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During his time in Ireland, he was stationed with the 4th battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Templemore Barracks.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Ironically Henry got his first combat experience here, when the 4th Battalion was sent to Dublin during the Easter Rising [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]24–30 April 1916 where they also suffered casualties, a detachment of 4th Battalion is also reported as being in Dublin Castle.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In July 1916, 2nd Lieutenant Letchworth was attached to the 8th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, at this time this unit fought on the Western Front as a part of 48th Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division. Their hardest challenge took place on the fields of France and Belgium – the 1916 Somme offensive.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry was sent back to England on the 7th of September 1916 from Le Havre on the HMMS Panama and he arrived back to Southampton on the 14th September 1916. Due to his health condition, the medical board of the [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol granted him a leave from 18th September to 17th October.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry joined[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] the 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers again on the 26th October 1916, at this time they were based in Mullingar.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The following year on the 1[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]st[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of July 1917 Henry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (25.10.1917 London Gazette).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At this time, he was attached to the 1st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which arrived back from their service in the Balkans the previous year. Most likely this move took place during the reorganisations in October 1917, when the battalion was transferred to the 48th Brigade 16th (Irish) Division or earlier. Unfortunately it is impossible to trace that transfer. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry must have proved himself as a valuable front line officer as from the 15[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of February 1918 Henry was appointed to the rank of Acting Captain (19.04.1918 London Gazette), but things took a very different turn on the 21st March 1918.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The previous year [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]the German High Command had decided to make a decisive attack in the west in the following spring and their target was the British Army in the Somme area. The Germans plan was to destroy British units before American forces could build up their strength. The New offensive was called the "Kaiserschlacht" (Kaiser's Battle) or known now as the “Spring Offensive”.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Germans planned to use their new tactics, which they practised on the Russian front – intense artillery barrage against key points such as machine-gun posts, headquarters, railways, telephone lines, etc. Attacks would be carried out by small well trained groups - [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]stormtroopers[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif], whose main aim was to move forward through gaps in the front and try to surround the main frontline troops.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The attack started with [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]the artillery bombardment at 4.40 am on 21 March. The bombardment targeted an area of 150 square miles, the biggest barrage of the entire war. Over 1,100,000 shells were fired in five hours.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In the end, over 320 soldiers from Royal Dublin Fusiliers were killed in this battle and many of them were taken prisoners. I have the privilege to have a copy of Acting Captain Henry Murray Letchworth’s own report of what happened on that day. He was 1st Battalion, Y Company commander at this time. He wrote the following statement on the 16[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of January 1919:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I was in command of Y Company, which had 2 platoons in the front line and 2 in support at C.H.Q. At 4.30 am 21.3.18 the enemy started a very heavy barrage of gas and H.E. which continued until 10.30 am. Platoon commanders got fair cover for their platoons, but we lost around ¼ of our strength during the bombardment. At 7 am I visited the platoons, the fog was then very thick and continued so all the morning. All communications with B.H.Q. except by runners, was broken.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Enemy first attacked about 10.30 am and got into the front line, but we [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]drove[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] them out again with the aid of one of the reserve platoons by 11.30. Informed B.H.Q. 11.40 and got a reply to hold on. Had conference with O.C. X a Z coys about [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]noon.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] At 12.30 pm saw the enemy in trenches on our sight, and at 1 pm they were firing from LEMPIRE. Suffered very heavy casualties from their machine gun fire. A second attack started at 2 pm., in which remains of coy were driven back around C.H.Q. all platoon commanders were casualties. Only 30 men were left. Sent off last a message to B.H.Q. at 2.30 pm, after that time the enemy were in our rear, and our own guns were firing on us. The Enemy’s third attack took place about 3.45 pm. I was captured with Capt.J.Kee (X Coy, which was on my left) who was very badly wounded in the thigh, at about 4.15 pm.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Captain Letchworth became one of the 4 officers and 290 men missing after the attacks. He was captured near Epehy and Lempire.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Book “Bluecaps” also indicates what he said in his last message which he sent off at 2.30pm to the Battalion Headquarters: [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Reports from the wounded made it clear that the men in the front line were very hard pressed, but at the same moment a very noble message came from Acting Capt Letchworth, commanding Y Coy that "he was surrounded but would hold on to the end”.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Regarding the moment when he was captured, I was able to find out who was the wounded Captain, sadly this man never made it back to Ireland:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]William Kee, Acting Captain, MC, from Meenagrove, Co.Donegal. Officially he served in the 7th Battalion but after commission in 1915 rose the ranks to be Acting Captain and was attached to the 1st Battalion. He was brave man indeed, Mentioned in Despatches twice and Military Cross ( bar posthumously 16th September 1918) for his valour in Somme, he died three days later in Germans hands on the 24th March 1918.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Captain Letchworth had the fortune (good or bad is a matter of opinion in those “days of death”) to be taken prisoner of war by the German forces and he was first sent to Karlsruhe officers prison camp ([/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Karlsruhe¬Offiziere Camp) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]in Baden. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]O[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]fficers were held in camps reserved only for them. There were living conditions less harsh then the regular soldier’s camps. They had beds, separate rooms for their meals and they were able to be involved in study or sport. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]After his capture, his next of kin address to the Germans was recorded as; [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Reverend Canon[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif].[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] H.H. Letchworth, 3 Ethelberth Road, Canterbury.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Also d[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]uring his time as a POW, he became a life-long friend with the Lieutenant John Herbert Brereton Sewell from 5th Manchester Regiment, who introduced few years later to him new passion of his life – Scouting.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In late 1918 the war finally ended. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]One clause of the 11th November 1918 Armistice dealt with the matter of prisoner-of-war repatriation: “The immediate repatriation without reciprocity, according to detailed conditions which shall be fixed.” Overall, these prisoners were speedily repatriated. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry was released from the prison camp on the 19[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of November 1918 and he arrived back to England on the 29[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of November 1918. At this time he gave his own address as 62 Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He relinquished his rank Acting Captain on the 19[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of March 1919 and left army service with the 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers on the 23rd of August 1920.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]After the war Henry returned back to teaching and he became Co-Principal at Chafyn Grove School, Salisbury from 1920 onwards.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]During these years, he coached the school rugby team and produced the annual school play. In school his nickname was [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Slush[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (what he did not like).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Four years after he was liberated from the Prisoner of War camp, he met his friend again with whom he was a POW with – John H.B. Sewell was invited to join the staff of Chafyn Grove School. Henry himself, had never been a Scout, but he and his twin brother had in their youth frequently been on camping holidays together. Sewell, who was already District Commissioner for Stockport, quickly enthused him with the ideals and challenge of the movement.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]John H.B. Sewell remained at the school until 1931 from then onwards Letchworth was in full time charge of the 16th Salisbury (Chafyn Grove School) Scout Group.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At the annual Scout Camp, he was known as [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Chippi[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] - this name he didn’t mind and which probably dated back to the war.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Second World War broke out he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 25[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of November 1942 (Extract from London Gazette 11.06.1943). On 25th of May 1944 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Extract from War Office Orders 21.09.1944).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He served with the Army Cadet Force, (personal number P275884/1) and rose to the rank of Major when he was appointed as an Officer to the 7th Cadet Battalion, Wiltshire A.C.7.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry resigned on 30th April 1945 from that position and on the 29[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]th[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] of May he relinquished his commission.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His main passion all of his life had been teaching and Scouting, after he joined the Scouts Organisation in 1923, he remained active with them for forty years.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His great capability in Training Scouters was soon recognised and in 1928 he became Assistant County Commissioner (Training), and was subsequently active in arranging courses for Scouters. In addition he took on the job of D.C. South Wilts in 1938, remaining there for ten years. He carried much of the burden of maintaining Scouting in the County as well as District during the 1939-1945.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On returning from his County position in 1954 he became a Deputy Camp Chief attached to Gilwell Park, a rare distinction.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Papers indicate that he lived at this time at 12 Bourne Avenue, Salisbury. It is an old Victorian house and nowadays it is a nursing home.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Further details about him show that he did a bit travelling after the war with the Scouting. In the summer of 1955 he went to New York on SS Queen Elizabeth and arrived back in September from Canada on SS Saxonia. He visited the 8th World Scouts Jamboree at Niagra-on-Lake, Canada during 18-28 August.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Henry Murray Letchworth died on December 1964 after a short illness. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He was 75 years of age. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His death is registered England & Wales, Death Index 1916-2005 role as October-December 1964, Salisbury district, Wiltshire (Volume 7c, page 531). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]For his service during First World War as a Royal Dublin Fusiliers officer, Captain Henry Murray Letchworth was award the Victory Medal and British War Medal (he applied for his medals on the 3rd of April 1921), however in regards his World War Two medal entitlement at this point it is impossible to confirm if he did receive any awards (Defence Medal and/or War Medal) [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]For his devotion and hard work for Scouting Organisation, “Chippi” received during the Second World War the highest award presented by The Scout Association “for services of the most exceptional character” – The Silver Wolf Award. This award in 1922 was [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]an award for Adult volunteers for Services to Scouting and awarded only by the Chief Scout of the World.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sources:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) Officer’s service papers from MOD[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) British Army 1914-1918 Service Medal Index Card[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net/[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) Family Tree, Genealogy and Census Records - Ancestry.co.uk[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.ancestry.co.uk/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6) Ireland Unknown Soldiers, The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]by Terence Denman[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](7) 16th (Irish) Division – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_(Irish)_Division[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](8) Neill’s “Blue Caps”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]By Colonel H C Wylly[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](9) [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]A Forlorn Hope: The Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the Kaiser's Battle March 1918[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
By Sean Connolly[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](10) World War I prisoners of war in Germany – [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_prisoners_of_war_in_Germany[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](11)Scouting in South Wiltshire 1908-1968. issued by Salisbury & South Wiltshire District Scout Council.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](12) Silver Wolf Award [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Wolf_Award[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](13) The Scouter, 1954, June[/FONT]
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Michael Graham (1891 – xxxx)
Private, 19352
9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Michael was entitled:
- Victory Medal
- British War Medal
- 1915 Star
- Silver War Badge
1915 Star roll and his Medal Index Card show his Christian name initial as “W”. However, his Victory Medal/British War Medal and Silver War Badge roll confirms his first name Michael (2/7/8/9).
Also his Victory Medal and British War Medal roll misspell his surname “Grehan” (9).
Michael enlisted on the 15th March 1915 age 24. He served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a private and his service number was 19352 (2/7).
He was listed with the 9th Battalion what was formed in September 1914 as a part of K2 and attached to 48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division (3/4).
At this time, when Michael joined, whole unit was structured together in Buttevant military barracks in Co.Cork. However, shortly after, in June 1915 they were sent to near by to Ballyhooley, Co.Cork and in September to England, where whole 16th (Irish) Division was sent together for last preparations (3/4/5).
9th Battalion with Private Michael Graham arrived to France on the 19th December 1915 under Divisional command of Irish Major General William Hickie (2/3/6).
It is impossible to find out which engagements he took part and how long he served on the muddy fields of Flanders. Most likely he was part of the unit when they were in the Battle of Hulluch (27th – 29th April – meantime Easter Rising took in place in Ireland). Next they were moved to Somme Valley and engaged in the Battle of the Somme in Guillemont – Ginchy area, where they suffered massive casualties (6).
Again highest cost was paid during the Flanders Offensive (3rd Battle of Ypres) from 7th June until 10th November 1917 (04/6).
Because there was so many casualties, they were amalgamated with the 8th Battalion and formed unit 8/9th Battalion (3/4/6).
10th February 1918 they were disbanded and the soldiers were transferred to the 1st and 2nd Battalions (3/4/5/6).
However, most likely Michael wasn’t in France at this time anymore. Like the SWB roll shows, he picked up some disease during his service and he was discharged on the 28th February 1918 because sickness. Usually this kind a conclusion from medical commission followed after being hospitalised in England or Ireland. He was granted Silver War Badge (number 336254). He was 27 years old at this time (7).
There are 4 Michael Graham’s on the Census of Ireland 1911, who age would be correct. Unfortunately without the extra information, it is impossible to narrow down which one of them is the same man (1).
Sources:
(1) National Archives: Census of Ireland 1901/1911
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie
(2) British Army 1914-1918 Medal Index Card
(3) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians
http://www.1914-1918.net/
(4) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – a forgotten regiment
http://www.dublin-fusiliers.com/
(5) Royal Dublin Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dublin_Fusiliers
(6) Ireland Unknown Soldiers, The 16th (Irish) Division in the Great War
by Terence Denman
(7) Silver War Badge Roll Page B1103, 22.01.1919, Dublin Infantry Records
(8) 1915 Star Roll, Dublin Infantry Records
(9) Victory Medal and British War Medal Roll, Dublin Infantry Records
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Yeah, that bar is nice but unfortunately missing that "twist", to ID the owner or even branch.
Here is my new arrival.
That set must be belonged to the serious vet, who saw action from 1914! That mean he was in service before the war broke out and still worn uniform after 1918!
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Bartholomew (Barthomew) Narry (1825-1907(?))
Private, 1169
1st Bombay European Fusiliers (2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers)
Entitled:
Punjab Medal 1848-49 with the clasps “Mooltan” and “Goojerat”
India Mutiny Medal without the clasp
Bartholomew was born in Templeboyle, Dromore, Co. Sligo in 1825. On the 22nd March 1845, when he reached 20 years of age, he attested at Athlone for military service with the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers. He gave his previous trade as a labourer it was recorded that his height was 5 feet 7 ½ inches, he had eyes grey and brown hair. He lived in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo at this time.
After he embarked to India, he was posted to the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers with the Regimental Number 1169, where he served for his entire military career. At this time, the unit was commanded by the Honorable East India Company.
After a few years of service in India, his unit took part in the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-1849) against Sikh Empire. Bartholomew took part in the siege of Multan (07.09. 1848 – 22.01. 1849). During the storming of the fortress of Mooltan on the 2nd January 1849, the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers carried the Kooni Boorj breach, where the Queen's Colour of the regiment were planted by Sergeant (afterwards Major) John Bennett, who was awarded a commission for his bravery on this occasion, the pike of the colour being severed by a bullet as he held it. For their services at the storming of Mooltan, the 1st Bombay European Fusiliers were awarded the battle honour "Mooltan".
Narry also took part in the Battle of Goojerat under Brigadier Dundas’ (Bombay Army) on the 21st February 1849. This convincing victory by Gough’s army brought the Sikh War to an end and brought about the annexation of the Punjab into British India.
As a result of that, Private Narry was awarded with the Punjab medal with the clasps “Mooltan” and “Goojerat” (The 1st Bombay European Fusiliers received 1225 medals: 124 without the clasp, 132 medals with the clasp “Mooltan” and 969 with the clasps “Mooltan” and “Goojerat”).
Next, he received India Mutiny Medal without any clasps for his service during the Indian Mutiny (1857–1859). The Mutiny medal was issued for service in suppressing the outbreak of the 10th Bengal Light Cavalry at Ferozepore on 19th August.
During the suppression of this outbreak the 1st Bombay Europeans lost 1 officer who was killed and 7 men who were wounded.
Because he was entitled to a medal without any clasps, it is possible to say that he didn’t take part in any major actions.
Based on the 1861 Worldwide Soldier Index, Private Narry was stationed at Poona, East Indies (Pune - cantonment town and as the "monsoon capital" of the Bombay Presidency).
As with all other "European" units of the Honorable East India Company, they were placed under the command of the Victorian Crown in 1858, and formally moved into the British Army in 1862, called 103rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Bombay Fusiliers).
Bartholomew Narry serviced as a private for a total of 22 years and 126 days. 20 years and 65 days he served in India, during which, he received
Good Conduct pay on the:
22nd March 1850
22nd March 1855
19th September 1858
23rd October 1859
22 October 1863
Each year just a handful of outstanding soldiers of the regiment were chosen for good conduct medals and gratuities. There were two lists, one for men recommended for the Good Conduct Medal without a gratuity, and one for gratuities - £5 to a private, £10 to a corporal, and £15 to a sergeant.
His conduct was described as very good and he had three Good Conduct badges.
Also his name appeared in the Defaulters Book and he had been once tried by Court Martial.
Private Narry served until 26th August 1865, when he must been 40 years old. He was discharged due to his own request.
Sources:
(1) http://www.britishmedals.us/files/imaddenda.htm
(2) http://www.theoriginalrecord.com/database/search/decade/187
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/103rd_Regiment_of_Foot_(Royal_Bombay_Fusiliers)
(4) British Army Service Records 1760-1915
The National Archives reference WO97 / 1682 / 80
(4) Confirms no clasp for Mutiny medal
The National Archives reference WO12 / 9929
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private charles whyte was my grandfather. he married mary phairs from cara street and moved to blantyre scotland where they had 7 sons and a daughter charles died in 1963 aged 73. only the youngest son john is still alive wI hopefully know by end of the week who's the SWB owner was;).
Here is one another Irish soldier's story and medal, what I currently own:[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Charles Whyte (1889 – xxxx)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Private[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]"Faugh-a-Ballaghs"[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Victory Medal named to “[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]10082 Pte Whyte R.IR.FUS[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]”[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Regimental number 10082[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Entitled:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- 1914-15 Star (Role B103/93 Page 250)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- Victory Medal (Role B103/93 Page 250)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]- British War Medal (Role B3b/Page 308)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Charles Whyte[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] was born in Clones, Co Monaghan in 1889 as a son of William and Mary Ellen Whyte. Whyte’s family lived in [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Cara Street, Clones Urban, Co.Monaghan. (3) [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On the pension records, Charles lists his trade as a labourer. Also he had three sisters [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sarah Anne, Ellen, Elizabeth and two brothers William Henry and James Joseph[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]. They were Roman Catholic’s.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Referring to the medical check up, he was 5 feet and 5 3/4 inches tall, weight 131 pounds (4). [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He enlisted from 16th October 1908, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]from Armagh (4). He [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]was accepted as fit for the Army and he was enlisted as a private to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](known as a “Faugh-a-Ballaghs” - Clear the Way)[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]. His regimental number was 10082 (4/7).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At this time [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]his regimental garrison depot was located at Armagh town (8).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]In [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]the summer of 1911 private Whyte’s battalion started preparing for service in India. 16th August he was permitted by medical commission, fit for service in India where he landed 25th January 1912.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His unit served in Quetta,[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Baluchistan as a [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]part of 4th (Quetta) Division. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers served there as a part of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]2nd Quetta [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Infantry Brigade, whose commander was VC winner Major General Sir Charles John Melliss[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] (9/10).[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At this time private Charles Whyte picked up Sandfly and probably also Malaria (4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When the Great War started, 2nd Battalion was shipped back to Europe. They arrived to Winchester on 20th November 1914 and became part of 82nd Brigade in 27th Division. A month later his battalion landed in Le Havre, France on the 19th December 1914 (1/5). It is most likely then that private Whyte [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]got his first war experience in bitter quick-firing artillery and machine gun battles.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]However at this time his health worsened and he was evacuated on the 24th of June 1915 back to England to Cheltenham [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Racecourse VA hospital, which held around 102 patients daily in 1915 (11). 10th July 1915 he was discharged from there as a fit for a light duty (4).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Meanwhile 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was moved to Salonika, where they arrived in December 1915. It is impossible to say did private Charles Whyte served with the unit at this time or stayed home. The following year, on the 2nd of November 1916 the battalion was transferred to 31st Brigade in 10th (Irish) Division. The next move took place in September 1917 when they were moved to Egypt for service in Palestine (5).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]19th April 1919 private Whyte was moved to Army Reserve (Section “B”) because of Malaria which he contracted during his service. Section B reservists could only be called upon in the event of general mobilisation. Pay was 3 shillings and 6 pence a week. He had to attend twelve training days per year (6).[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Source:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](1) Medal Index Card[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](2) Medal Roles[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](3) Census of Ireland 1901 – National Archives of Ireland[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](4) Pensioner’s Record Card/Medical History[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](5) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net/rifus.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](6) The Long, Long Trail – The British Army of 1914-1918 – for family historians[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.1914-1918.net/reserve.htm[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](7) Army Service Numbers 1881-1918[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](8) Royal Irish Fusiliers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Irish_Fusiliers[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](9) 4th (Quetta) Division – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_(Quetta)_Division[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](10) Charles John Melliss – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_John_Melliss[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif](11) Cheltenham Racecourse VA hospital[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]http://www.angelfire.com/az/garethknight/redcross/racecourse.html[/FONT]
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steve whyte wrote: »I've got nothing to hide I'am trying totrace my irish roots of my family history because I think its important to pass to my kids
It must be amazing to actually come across items that have a connection to your family. Best of luck finding out more about your family´s history, I always find it a captivating subject.
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Back in Business!:D
Before I start posting my summer finds, I would like to share a picture of my yesterday's Dublin pick up - rare I WW Serbian Order of Karageorge Silver Cross for bravery. Awarded 2285 in total. More then 1000 went to the allies soldier during Balkan campaigns. So, never knows, maybe owner of that was some local chap. I am very pleased and supprised what kind awards is possible get here sometimes;).
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