Blacker’s Boys

9th (Service) Battalion, Princess Victoria’s () (County )

&

9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers)

1914 –1919

Addendum (Material and corrections received since the publication of Blacker’s Boys)

Nick Metcalfe

Copyright © 2017

Contents

Introduction to the Addendum 2

ONE The Formation of the Battalion 3 THREE The Battle of Albert: 1 July 1916 11 FOUR Holding the Line at Messines 12 FIVE The Battle of Messines - 7 June 1917 & 14 The Battle of Langemarck - 16 August 1917 NINE The Final Advance – 20 September to 16 26 October 1918 TEN ‘Finis’ 19

Appendix 2 Roll of Honour 20 Appendix 3 Cemeteries and Memorials 21 Appendix 4 Honours & Awards 24 Appendix 5 Roll of Officers 26 Appendix 6 Roll of Warrant Officers, 32 Non Commissioned Officers & Other Ranks Appendix 9 Sport 45

Photographs 51 Acknowledgements 68

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Introduction to the Addendum

Since the email that I received the week after the publication of Blacker’s Boys that corrected the spelling of ‘Otago’ on page 110, I have received a huge amount of material from the descendants of those who served in the Battalion and from First World War enthusiasts who embraced the project. As I received these treasures, I compiled a series of updates that were published on the book’s website. Moving into the latter part of the First World war centennial period, it is time to consolidate those documents and to add the wealth of information and photographs since the last one was published.

This Addendum brings together all that I have received since Blacker’s Boys was published in 2012. It is in the same format as the book but only those chapters that have new material are included. Each is hyperlinked to assist navigation. In the appendices, new material and corrections are in red but, to ease reading, the new information in the main chapters is in black. I have added a page reference if the new material is a correction or addition.

Since the publication of Blacker’s Boys some new sources have been made available that are worth mentioning. The first is the information from the archives of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that shows the original burial details of those men whose remains were reinterred in concentration cemeteries after the war. The second is the archive of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which has released the information that it holds on the men who were captured. I considered a complete review of the casualty roll and the details in Appendix 6 of those believed captured but, given the ease with which these archives may be examined, I have decided to leave that to those who may be interested in adding more detail to their family story.

From October 2015 to March 2017, I published online the edited letters of S W W Blacker. The letters were well received and contributed to the BBC’s project, Voices 16. They may be found on the Blacker’s Letters website, which will remain ‘live’ through the centennial period.

Finally, I must mention the book about the North Irish Horse by Phillip Tardif.1 The stories of the North Irish Horse and the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers are inextricably interlinked, and Phillip’s work adds much to the history of the Battalion. His North Irish Horse website is also recommended highly.

I would like to thank everyone who has engaged so actively with the Blacker’s Boys project and for sharing their family treasures. I have no doubt that there are errors here, for which responsibility is mine alone. Any further corrections will be warmly received.

Nick Metcalfe November 2017

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1 Tardif, P. (2016). The North Irish Horse in the Great War. Barnsley: Pen and Sword.

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ONE

The Formation of the Battalion

Although most of the men who joined the Battalion came from north Armagh, there were many from the south of the county. Of the 31 men in this 1914 photograph of the Victoria Flute Band from , 16 are known to have served—11 with 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers—and four did not come home.

Victoria Flute Band, Bessbrook, 1914 Those known to have served are indicated thus (9th Royal Irish Fusiliers unless otherwise stated): Standing (left to right): 14182 Private William Fisher; S Wallace; John McCulla (Unit not known); 14202 (later 7040580) Warrant Officer Class II William Gray; Samuel Blakeley; J McClelland; Lance Corporal William John Roy, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (died of wounds 11 May 1915); J Bowes; 12242 Sergeant (Acting Company Sergeant) Reynold (Rennie) Gray; J Blair; 14502 Corporal Johnson McCullough (killed in action 1 July 1916); A Thompson; James Gray; 14201 Private Edmund Gray (killed in action 16 August 1917); 14023 Private Robert John Blakeley; 18240 Colour Sergeant Hugh Curran Selby DCM; James Morrow (Unit not known); Samuel Hadden (Unit not known); 14707 (later 29059) Private David Henry Linton (wounded). Sitting (left to right): 14760 Private Frederick Woods; (formerly 14236 Company Quartermaster Sergeant) Thomas Gray; A Rudden; S Blair; G Maginniss; Conductor—W Locke; O Fairbrother; R Black; T Preston; Sergeant William Black, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (killed in action 16 December 1914); R Livingstone; 14518 Private Hugh Magarrell (McGarrell) (wounded).

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Victoria Flute Band, Bessbrook, Roll of Honour

These men of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers were all from Bessbrook. The photograph was taken in the first few days at Clandeboye, in the last week of September 1914. Private David Henry Linton is standing in the back row, second from the left. At least 26 men from Bessbrook were amongst the first volunteers, of whom nine were killed in action or died of wounds, 12 were wounded, including Private Linton, and one was captured.

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Clandeboye

This postcard shows the layout of Clandeboye Camp, the home of the newly formed 2nd of the Ulster Division, in late September 1914.2 It was sent home by Private David Linton. A copy also appeared in the News-Letter on Thursday 1 October.

The News-Letter described the scene:

‘The Medical Details occupy the tents in the lower left hand corner. The Central Antrim and South Antrim Battalions occupy those in the distance on the left, the Down Battalion occupies the corner position, and the Armagh Battalion the next square to the right. In the foreground on the right are the stores. &c., and the marquees in the central distance are devoted to canteen and entertainment purposes. Companies of men are seen drilling left, centre and right. Helen’s Tower is shown in the distance.’

Private Linton marked the postcard to indicate that the Armagh Battalion tents were in the distance on the left in the position described as that for the Central Antrim Battalion. Regardless, this image shows the high degree of organisation in the first weeks of the training of the men of the 2nd Brigade.

The News-Letter of 1 October also reported the first trial in Belfast under the Defence of the Realm Act, 1914. Robert Wilson, a carpenter from Crumlin, was accused of: ‘Spreading reports likely to create alarm among the civil population of Crumlin, in that he, at Crumlin, on the 21st September, 1914 stated: “The are being starved,” or words to that effect.’ The court martial was held at Victoria Barracks, Belfast (now demolished—the site was in what is now the south part of New Lodge) on Tuesday 22 September and Wilson was found guilty and sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour.

2 The 2nd Brigade became 108th Brigade in October 1914. Central Antrim Battalion – 12th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim) South Antrim Battalion – 11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim) Down Battalion – 13th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down) Armagh Battalion – 9th (Service) Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (County Armagh)

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The evidence presented at the trail provides some information about the arrival at Clandeboye of the first recruits. They were men of the South Antrim Battalion (later the 11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim)) who arrived at Clandeboye on the afternoon of Saturday 19 September at about 4.30pm. Each man was given two shillings to cover food and rations until the following Monday. Sandwiches were available on the Saturday evening at the ‘dry canteen’ and the provision of a regular food supply began the following day, which did not require payment. The meals provided were tea at 6.30am, breakfast at 7.45am, dinner at 12.45pm and tea at 5.00pm (the latter being a full meal). The first men of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers arrived on the afternoon of Monday 21 September.

36th (Ulster) Division Parades Through Belfast

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 1, Page 22. This is a slightly fuller description of the parade in Belfast on 8 May 1915.) Most of the battalions and other divisional units travelled to Belfast on the day preceding the parade. On the morning of the parade the men of 108th Brigade, including the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, travelled by eight trains from Newtownards and Bangor; the last train arrived in Belfast at a little after 8.00am. The entire Division, numbering nearly 17,000 men, formed up at Malone with 107th Brigade on the right. Beside it were the men of the Divisional Troops—Royal Engineer Field Companies and the Divisional Signal Company, the and Cyclist Company and the men of the Field Ambulances and the Army Service Corps. Next was 108th Brigade and then 109th Brigade on the left, nearest the Malone Road. The Division was inspected by the well-respected officer and former MP for North Antrim, Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont KCB, CVO. After the review, the Ulster Division marched through the city centre. Along the route the streets were decked out with bunting and flags and crowded with local people and the family and friends of those on parade. During the march past at City Hall, which lasted for over one and a half hours, the salute was taken by the General alongside the Mayor. The parade was attended by Sir , who had travelled from London to see it. By 9.00pm 108th Brigade was back at Clandeboye having returned by eight trains to Bangor and Newtownards.

SS Viper, the ship on which the Battalion sailed from Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) to Holyhead in July 1915

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The Death of Private Joseph Topley

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 1, Page 25. This more complete description of the death of Private Topley is summarised from reports in the Belfast News-Letter.)

Private Joseph Topley of 8 Platoon, ‘B’ Company drowned on 18 August 1915 while swimming in the River Cuckmere, which ran near to the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers’ camp at Seaford. Other soldiers swimming with him left the water but Topley said that he was going to stay in the water a little longer. Soon afterwards his friends noticed that he had disappeared. Privates Isaac Walker and John Allen of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers and Private Robert Patterson of 12th Royal Irish Rifles attempted to rescue him. Patterson found Topley’s body in seven feet of water but when he brought him to the surface he was dead.

At the inquest S P Rae RAMC3 presented evidence as to how he had drowned and a verdict of accidental death by drowning was returned. Walker, Allen and Patterson were praised by the coroner for their gallantry.

Topley’s funeral took place on Saturday 21 August. The parade left camp for Seaford Cemetery at 10.30am led by the firing party and the massed bands of 108th Brigade. The coffin was borne on a gun carriage drawn by four horses, draped in the Union Flag and flower wreaths. Topley’s father and brother followed the gun carriage with all of the men of ‘B’ Company. The graveside service was conducted by the 108th Brigade chaplain, Reverend C C Manning. Following the service three volleys were fired and the buglers of 108th Brigade played ‘The Last Post’. The wreaths had been sent by the officers’ mess, the sergeants’ mess, the officers and men of ‘B’ Company, the officers and men of 8 Platoon, Captain T J Atkinson, the Quartermaster and the Transport Section.

The 10th (Reserve) Battalion

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 1, p 25. More accurate information about the formation and role of the 10th (Reserve) Battalion.)

In , the depot company of the Battalion, formed when the Division moved to England, moved from Newtownards to Brownlow House on 10 September 1915 just 80 all ranks strong and became the 10th (Reserve) Battalion on 24 September. Its role was to find and train volunteers destined for the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, while the larger 3rd (Reserve) and 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalions looked after the other six battalions of the Regiment. The Battalion was commanded from its formation by Colonel W C FitzGerald and he was joined by Captain A B Townsend as his Adjutant. Company Sergeant Major Edward Tuck of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers was a natural choice for Regimental Sergeant Major and, in a reversal of fortune having been demoted, Albert Stilwell joined the new battalion as one of its Company Sergeant .4 On 10 October, the 10th (Reserve) Battalion received a surplus from Bordon of 132 officers and men, led by Second A C Holywood and G H Richardson, who

3 Later to serve with 108th Field Ambulance. 4 Stillwell, the former Regimental Sergeant Major of 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, had been tried by District Court Martial at Bordon, charged with ‘when on active service, drunkenness’; he was found guilty and sentenced to be reduced in rank to Warrant Officer Class II.

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were not required to go to France with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. Some of these men were not fit for service in France for one reason or another—see, for example, 14799 Private Francis Weir below, a newly identified original volunteer. The remainder would go out to France later, most in 1916.

The band of the 10th (Reserve) Battalion, Newtownards, 1916

On 4 October 1915, as 36th (Ulster) Division landed in France, Sir James Stronge had written an open letter to the newspapers appealing for volunteers to fill the ranks of the reserve battalions:

‘The Ulster Division may soon be in contact with the enemy, and we must all anxiously desire that our gift to the nation should be completed by the formation of adequate reserves. It would be a grave disappointment to many of us if gaps in the ranks had (to any large extent) to be filled by men from other parts of the kingdom. Now is the time for the agricultural classes to do their duty. The harvest has been late, but it is almost over in the ‘earlier’ districts, and each week diminishes the need for workers in the fields. A hearty support given now may help to end the war before the next harvest is ripe, or meanwhile arrangements can be made to meet a shortage of labour next year. No other form of ‘home defence’ can compare with reserve battalions well trained, and kept constantly up to their full strength as they are drawn upon from time to time. No compulsion should be necessary in the case of loyal Ulstermen of military age.’

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The appeal to the farming community was not met with enthusiasm. Nonetheless, by January 1916 the Battalion had grown greatly to almost 600 men. Having received notification to move to Newtownards, the men of the 10th (Reserve) Battalion were treated to a feast laid on by the people of Lurgan in the Town Hall and the rooms of the Catch- my-Pal Union.5 This was followed by a concert in the Town Hall, in which some of the men participated and in which the Battalion’s band played. The Battalion relocated on 17 January 1916, led to and from the railway stations in Lurgan and Newtownards by the band and taking with it the two regimental mascots, a great Dane and a goat. News reports record that a large crowd gathered to say farewell, in which ‘the fair sex were predominant.’

In April 1918, the 10th (Reserve) Battalion and the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion were absorbed by the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion and moved to Rugeley near Cannock Chase in England, becoming part of the West Riding Reserve Brigade. (See Chapter 8, p 204.)

Martinique Barracks, Bordon The Battalion was based here during its final training before leaving for France.

5 A temperance hall, part of the Protestant Total Abstinence Union.

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The Inspection of 36th (Ulster) Division by The King, 30 September 1915

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 1, p 26. This is a more accurate account of the final days in England.)

The Ulster Division’s advance party left England on 26 September and on 30 September the remainder was inspected by King George V, accompanied by Lord Kitchener, on Hankley Common, near Farnham in Surrey. The headquarters staff and the units of 36th (Ulster) Division left Bordon (not Seaford as stated in Blacker’s Boys) by train in the first few days of October and embarked at the channel ports for France. On Sunday 3 October the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers arrived at Southampton and spent the rest of the day there before embarking at 8.30pm onto a ship that some considered too small for the thirty-seven officers and 1,340 men on board (some of the Ulster Division’s artillery was also embarked). Fortunately, the sea was calm and the passage to Le Havre uneventful.

The King’s Inspection on Hankley Common

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THREE

The Battle of Albert: 1 July 1916

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 3, p 63-76. Clarifying the number of officers that attacked on 1 July 1916.)

The operations order for the attack on 1 July 1916 mandated that a maximum of 20 officers were to take part. Lieutenant Colonel Blacker decided to use 16.6 The war diary, however, records that 15 officers attacked. The sixteenth officer was Second Lieutenant G D Craig, who was debilitated and deafened by shellfire in the trenches at Hamel prior to the attack. (Not included in the table below are the officers of ‘B’ Company, 12th Royal Irish Rifles and the attached teams from 108th Brigade Machine Gun Company or 108th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery.)

Appointment Name Attacked Casualty Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel S W W Blacker No No Second-in-Command Major A C Pratt No No Adjutant Lieutenant G Cather No No7 Intelligence Officer Captain W J Menaul No No8 Signalling Officer Lieutenant G E Lutton No No Officer Commanding ‘A’ Company Captain C H Ensor Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘A’ Company Lieutenant A C Hollywood Yes Killed Platoon Commander ‘A’ Company Second Lieutenant G E Barcroft Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘A’ Company Second Lieutenant R T Montgomery Yes Killed Officer Commanding ‘B’ Company Major T J Atkinson Yes Killed Platoon Commander ‘B’ Company Lieutenant T G Shillington Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘B’ Company Second Lieutenant A Seggie Yes Killed Platoon Commander ‘B’ Company Second Lieutenant W J Stewart Yes Killed Officer Commanding ‘C’ Company Captain C M Johnston Yes Killed Platoon Commander ‘C’ Company Lieutenant R S B Townsend Yes Killed Platoon Commander ‘C’ Company Second Lieutenant A A Andrews Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘C’ Company Second Lieutenant E M Smith Yes Wounded Officer Commanding ‘D’ Company Captain J G Brew Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘D’ Company Captain J E Gibson Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘D’ Company Lieutenant H K Jackson Yes Wounded Platoon Commander ‘D’ Company Second Lieutenant G D Craig No Shellshock Forward in the Line Lieutenant R S Flood No No Forward in the Line Second Lieutenant A D Allen No No Forward in the Line Second Lieutenant E N Ensor No No

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6 In his letter home on 12 July he wrote: “Only 20 officers allowed over the parapet, and I only sent 16.” See Blacker’s Letters. 7 Killed in action on 2 July 1916. 8 Wounded on 2 July 1916.

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FOUR

Holding the Line at Messines

Lance Corporal Fred Woods of Bessbrook enlisted in October 1914 and served in ‘A’ Company. He was evacuated wounded or sick at some time and later transferred to the Labour Corps. While serving with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers near Messines in February 1917, he sent his mother a poem that he had written. The poem tells how a field artillery gun team and its horses reminded him of Bessbrook, and his friends returning home from the fields.

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FIVE

The Battle of Messines, 7 June 1917 & The Battle of Langemarck, 16 August 1917

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 5, Page 132.) ‘It is also not clear why the Transport Officer, Lieutenant Stronge, took part in the attack given that the Transport was some miles to the rear near Ypres.’ (Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 5, Page 140.) ‘One example of this was the effort of Sergeant William Neill, the Transport Sergeant, who called for volunteers to help him find Lieutenant James Stronge, the Transport Officer, who he knew to be badly wounded somewhere near Hill 35. He chose four men and they succeeded in finding him; it is not known whether he was dead or mortally wounded when he was found, but he did not survive.’

The Battalion Transport, France, 1916 Lieutenant Stronge is seated on the second row fifth from the left. Sergeant Neill is on his left.

Following Lieutenant Stronge’s death, a ‘resolution of sympathy’ was sent to his father, Sir James Strong, by the Grand Orange Lodge of County Armagh. In reply, Sir James Stronge wrote to George Crozier, the Grand Secretary:9

‘...he fell...at the head of his own dear Battalion of Transport men who would have done anything for him. They were taking water and ammunition to the men in the fighting line over a notoriously dangerous road and had been spotted by the heavy guns of the enemy.’

It is not known precisely where and when this incident occurred but it was sometime on 16 August and almost certainly on the route from Wieltje to the Battalion’s position,

9 Whitten, J (Ed). (2000). The Millennium Book - A History of Orangeism in County Armagh. : GOLI Publications. p 29.

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along Roeselarestraat, an old clinker brick road that was now a muddy, shell-torn lane, laid in part with corduroy track. Nevertheless, the actions of Sergeant William Neill, the Transport Sergeant and the men who accompanied him may be clarified. It is known that Sergeant Neill called for volunteers to help him find Lieutenant Stronge. It may be surmised that he knew that he had been killed or was badly wounded somewhere on the route to the Battalion’s forward position at Pommern Redoubt. He chose four men and they succeeded in finding him; it is not known whether he was dead or mortally wounded when he was found, but he did not survive. He was brought to the rear and was buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery Number 3.

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NINE

The Final Advance: 20 September to 26 October 1918

(Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 9, Page 228.) On 29 September 1918 Lieutenant Colonel Kelly received orders for an attack to begin at dawn on 30 September. The 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers were to advance south of the Terhand/Vijfwegen road, with the initial objective being a line running north-south through Vijfwegen.

The advance began at 5.30am on 30 September. As he passed through the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers of 109th Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Kelly realised that there was no contact with 29th Division on the right. He dispatched an officer’s patrol to find its forward elements. This patrol was successful but reported the nearest troops, men of the 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, as being 2,000 yards to the rear. This dictated how Lieutenant Colonel Kelly must advance and he deployed the companies to maintain contact with the units on both flanks. ‘C’ Company advanced to protect the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers’ right flank and to maintain contact with the forward elements of the 29th Division. This pre-war Belgian map shows the Terhand/Vijfwegen Road—the axis of the Battalions’ advance on 30 September To do this, ‘C’ Company was 1918. It also shows the area near Gheluwe patrolled by elements of ‘C’ Company. tasked to provide a number of patrols.

One of the men killed that day was Lance Corporal Stan Mellor. Born in 1892 at Orrell Park, Liverpool, he had enlisted into the Army Ordnance Corps. Having been transferred for service with infantry and retrained, in July 1917 he transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) and was posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. In January 1919 his brother wrote to some of the surviving members of the patrol with which he had been killed, in an attempt to discover what had happened to him—there had been no formal notification of his death and the family held some hope that he had been captured.

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The account that follows was compiled from the detailed reply provided by Private Lewis Williams, a miner from Gilfach Goch, near Bridgend.10

On 30 September Lance Corporal Mellor was second-in-command of a patrol comprising an eight- man section from 12 Platoon. It was led by Acting Sergeant Reginald Collins, a regular soldier who had been wounded in November 1914 while serving with the 1st Battalion. The other members of the patrol were Lance Corporals Tom Dixon and Joseph McCausland, and Privates Alfred Campbell, Samuel Jenner, Robert Neilly, and Lewis Williams.

The patrol went out at about 10.00am, on the Battalion’s right flank, south towards the Menin Gheluwe, looking south-east along the Menin Road. The Road. Sergeant Collins and his attack on the patrol took place in the fields on the lower left. section had approached to within The photograph was taken three days later at 3.15pm on 3 about 200 yards of Gheluwe when October. The original graves of the men, and others who died it was clear that they were about fighting near here, can be seen circled. to be cut off. As the patrol attempted to get back it was engaged with heavy machine- gun fire. Stan Mellor was shot in the leg first, then in the back. Tom Dixon, beside him, was hit in the head and died instantly. Mellor called for help and Sergeant Collins and Private Williams went to him. Collins was killed soon afterwards. Williams said that, “the machine gun fire was awful. We couldn’t get away ourselves.” The surviving members of the patrol took cover nearby and were captured by a German patrol. The enemy soldiers covered Mellor and Dixon with a single groundsheet.

The three men killed were buried near where they fell in marked graves (see photograph above). Their bodies were reinterred after the war in Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery. Lewis Williams was repatriated to the in December 1918.

The men of the patrol provide an interesting insight into the make-up of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers in this period at the end of the war. Four of the eight were Irish. Only two had enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers)—one was a regular soldier (Collins, an Englishman) and one had joined from the 7th/8th Battalion (Dixon). Apart from Collins, all were wartime volunteers; none was a conscript. One had been transferred for service with infantry from the Army Ordnance Corps (Mellor) and two from the Army Service Corps (Jenner and Williams, who joined the 9th Royal Irish

10 Williams writes that the incident took place on 29 September. This is highly unlikely because the Battalion was not in a position to send out patrols while it waited at Reutel for orders that day.

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Fusiliers in the same draft in May 1918). Campbell, McCausland and Neilly were men of the Royal Irish Rifles who had joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers in the same draft on 22 September 1918, a week before they were captured.

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TEN

‘Finis’

The Final Days in Belgium (Blacker’s Boys, Chapter 10, Page 248.)

‘On 23 November the Battalion paraded for photographs. Photographs were taken of each company and of other groups, such as the band and the Sandbags Troupe.’

This photograph of the Battalion Transport, complete with dogs and donkey, taken at Mouscron on 23 November has recently come to light.

The Battalion Transport, Mouscron, 23 November 1918 Sitting in the centre with their terriers are Sergeant William Neill DCM and Captain J B K Morrow. Lying in front is the Battalion interpreter, Lieutenant A Valin. (Return to Contents)

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APPENDIX 2

Roll of Honour

(Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 2, Page 300.)

This Roll of Honour commemorates 830 men who served at some time with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers and who were killed in action, died of wounds, or died of other causes before 31 August 1921.

777 all ranks were killed in action, died of wounds or died of other causes serving with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. 53 all ranks were killed in action, died of wounds or died of other causes serving elsewhere.

Commemorated as Killed in Action, Died of Wounds or Died Serving with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers

COOKE Private C W E 45795. Killed in action 3 October 1918. Re-interred in Dadizeele New British Cemetery in 1920 from Molenhoek Military Cemetery, Becelaere. IV. B. 23. Sometime after his re-interment his grave was marked with a stone indicting that he was a ‘A Soldier of the Great War Known Unto God’. The error was identified by his nephew and the gravestone was replaced. LOCKHART Private R 18559. Died of wounds 12 October 1916. Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. (Inadvertently left out when compiling this appendix.) MAXWELL Private A 14434. Died 3 July 1918. Friends Burial Ground, Lurgan. (Burial site identified since publication). PARTRIDGE Private J E 45788. Died as a prisoner of war 27 October 1918. Buried in Heilsberg Prisoner of War Cemetery, now Lidzbark Warminski War Cemetery, with three others amongst graves 2014-2040. Commemorated there in a new cemetery (Headstone 26) and also commemorated on Malbork Memorial, Poland. PROCTOR Private J C L 14621. Died 25 March 1917. United Kingdom Book of Remembrance.

Commemorated as Killed in Action, Died of Wounds or Died Serving Elsewhere (Men who served at some time with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers.)

BROOKS Private Frederick M/345879 Army Service Corps (formerly 14008 Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers)). Died 12 May 1918. While serving with 1058th Mechanical Transport Company. St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. P. XI. G. 5A. BULMAN Private J 20319. Died of wounds 26 April 1916 while serving with 108th Trench Mortar Battery. Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension. I. B. 9. (Formerly recorded as dying while with the Battalion.) (Return to Contents)

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APPENDIX 3

Cemeteries & Memorials

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries

(Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 3, Pages 333-355.)

Friends Burial Ground, Lurgan. There is one casualty commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in this cemetery. Private A Maxwell succumbed to tuberculosis 3 July 1918. Lidzbark Warmiński War Cemetery, Poland. Formerly Heilsberg Prisoner of War Cemetery. Thirty-eight British soldiers and one Royal Marine were buried with prisoners of other nationalities in a series of mass graves at Heilsberg, then a small town in East Prussia, now called Lidzbark Warmiński. The graves could not be maintained and were abandoned in 1960. The bodies of twelve other British soldiers were removed to Berlin South-Western Cemetery. The 39 men left in the cemetery were commemorated on the Malbork Memorial. On 16 May 2014 a new commemorative cemetery, with headstones for each of these men, was dedicated at Lidzbark Warmiński. The memorial stone indicates that the men are ‘buried elsewhere in this cemetery’. Buried here is Private J E Partridge, who died while a prisoner of war on 27 October 1918. Malbork Memorial, Poland. Malbork (formerly Marienburg) lies south-east of Gdansk (Danzig). The Malbork Memorial forms the entrance to the Commonwealth War Cemetery and commemorates thirty-eight British soldiers and one Royal Marine who were buried in Heilsberg Prisoner of War Cemetery, now Lidzbark Warmiński War Cemetery. Commemorated on this memorial is Private J E Partridge, who died while a prisoner of war on 27 October 1918. St Sever Cemetery Extension, France. Seven soldiers are buried amongst 8,346 Commonwealth graves in the cemetery extension; two died of wounds in 1917 and five died of wounds in March and April 1918. Also buried here is Private Frederick Brooks, an original volunteer who had been discharged in 1915 and had reenlisted into the Army Service Corps; he died on 12 May 1918. United Kingdom Book of Remembrance. The Book of Remembrance commemorates the death of Private J C L Proctor, who died in March 1917, whose place of burial has not yet been located or confirmed.

Lurgan and Portadown War Memorials

(Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 3, Page 366. This information was inadvertently left out of the final draft.)

Lurgan & Portadown War Memorials, Northern Ireland. Many of the first to enlist and join the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers came from Lurgan and Portadown and both towns contributed hugely to the war effort.

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In Portadown the memorial was dedicated on 13 November 1925 in a ceremony at which both sides of the community were present and participated; over 2,000 people gathered in the square for the unveiling by General Sir Travers Clarke KCB, KCMG. Both traditions were well represented and wreaths were laid by the and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Amongst the speeches were two of note. The first was given by Major D G Shillington who had been so closely linked to the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers and whose son, Tom, and nephew, Geoffrey Cather VC, were killed; Tom Shillington’s name is inscribed on the memorial’s face. The second speech was that given by Mr Robert Cullen,11 a solicitor from Portadown and a Roman Catholic who had served with The . His message was one based on common experience, a “brotherhood that was born in the gullies of Gallipoli and cemented on the firing-steps of the Flanders trenches”.

The memorial stands in the town square and, unusually, it shows not only the names of the men from the town and the surrounding parishes who were killed but also the streets in which they or their families lived. Nearly every road, street and parish suffered some loss during the war. Most occurred from mid-1916 when the New Armies were committed to the Somme offensive but the town had felt the effect of the war from its earliest days. There are 312 men commemorated here of which well over half (191) were killed serving with the county regiment—eighty-six were men of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. Although every street has a tragic story to tell one is particularly poignant. Private Joseph Clulow was one of those from West Street to be lost. He served with ‘B’ Company and was killed in action in the Battle of Langemarck on 16 August 1917, aged twenty-eight. He left behind a young family including a year-old son. In his turn this young man, James Ernest Ivor Clulow, enlisted to fight in another war and he too was killed in action, also aged twenty-eight, on 4 August 1944 near Antella in while serving as a Sergeant with the North Irish Horse. Father and son are commemorated on the memorial.

The war memorial in Lurgan had a more difficult gestation. Discussions about a memorial in the town began in 1917 but there were differing opinions as to what form it should take. The Lurgan Technical School management committee proposed a new technical school. Later the Irish Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Sailors and Soldiers suggested a swimming pool. A cottage hospital was also suggested. It was decided at a public meeting in April 1919, however, that the memorial would be a monument. Implementation was not without its problems and in May 1921 it was announced that subscriptions were being returned because of a lack of agreement on its design. In 1923 the issue was again put to a public meeting and it was decided to resurrect the project; opinion favoured a public monument. The sculptor selected for the project was Mr L S Merrifield of London; the design went through a number of iterations before its final form was decided upon.

On 23 May 1928, immediately before the dedication of the memorial, 160 Roman

11 Lance Sergeant Robert Martin Cullen 3/5694. Born in 1882 at Portadown, County Armagh. A solicitor; established R M Cullen Solicitor in Portadown in 1907. Enlisted 20 April 1915 into The Connaught Rangers. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 27 February 1918. Silver War Badge, number 319357. After the war he continued to work as a solicitor and the family firm still flourishes. He named Renmore Avenue (after Renmore Barracks, Galway) and Connaught Park, Portadown—both influenced by his Army service. He died on 8 February 1964, aged 81.

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Catholic ex-servicemen attended a Requiem Mass at St Peter’s Church before marching to Lurgan Park. There they paraded with other ex-servicemen, bringing the total on parade to around 700 men. This parade then marched to the site of the new memorial on the Mall where a large choir was already in place. The memorial was unveiled by the Duke of Abercorn, the Governor of Northern Ireland. In contrast to the Portadown war memorial, the names of those who fell are listed alphabetically, without rank or regiment.

Portadown War Memorial, 13 November 1925

Lurgan War Memorial, 23 May 1928

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APPENDIX 4

Honours & Awards

Military Cross (Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 4, Page 375.) Fifty-seven awards were made to men who served with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers, which includes three awards made to Warrant Officers and nine bars. (Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 4, Pages 381-383.) Twenty-one awards of the were made for acts of gallantry by men while serving elsewhere: WALDREN Warrant Officer Class 1, Regimental Serjeant Major, Thomas Henry 42666 – 10th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (). Birthday Honours Gazette – no citation (LG 3 June 1918). YOUNG Second Lieutenant J B - 108th Trench Mortar Battery. Attack at Vijfwegen, 30 September 1918 (LG 1 February 1919). (Incorrectly attributed to Second Lieutenant J B Young.) For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty south-east of Dadizeele on 30th September, 1918. He brought his trench mortar into action in the open under heavy machine-gun fire 250 yards from a farm. When his base plate broke, he stood up and held the mortar until all his ammunition was fired, putting a machine-gun out of action. He then used his team as infantry and joined in the attack protecting a flank. He was eventually wounded, after much good work.

Military Medal (Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 4, Page 387.) SMALLWOOD Lance Corporal J 40085 - In the line near the River Douve, 19 February 1917 (LG 26 April 1917). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in securing and rescuing wounded men for a neighbouring division from ‘No Man’s Land’ on the morning of February 19th, 1917.

Certificate for Gallantry (Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 4, Page 392.) In April 1917 a Certificate for Gallantry was instituted for men of 36th (Ulster) Division who had distinguished themselves during the attack on 1 July 1916. The certificate detailed the act of gallantry for which the recipient was commended. The first awards were issued in May 1917. It is not known how many were awarded. The certificates continued to be awarded throughout the war. (For more information on the various certificates awarded by the three divisions raised in Ireland see here.)

BARBOUR Sergeant J 13994 - Earned during the attack at Hamel, 1 July 1916.

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..., for gallantry and devotion to duty in rescuing wounded under fire at Hamel, on July 1st 1916. He brought down wounded to the Dressing Station, a distance of a mile, and continued doing so until exhausted. ELLIOTT Private J 14157 - Earned during the attack at Hamel, 1 July 1916. (Blacker’s Boys mistakenly records this certificate as being to 14154 Private J Elliott.) ...., for gallantry and devotion to duty in rescuing wounded under fire at Hamel, on July 1st 1916. He carried wounded to the dressing station, a distance of a mile, only desisting when completely exhausted. HARRISON Private W 43266 – Earned during a fighting patrol near the River Douve on 14 August 1917. …, for his gallantry on patrol on 14 August, 1916, when four Germans were captured, and on 11 October, 1916, on which occasion he rescued two wounded men from the German wire. McCARROLL Private G 14561 - Earned during the attack at Hamel, 1 July 1916. ..., for good working in laying and repairing telephone wire from the front line to Battalion Head Quarters under heavy fire, during the battle of July 1st, 1916.

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APPENDIX 5

Roll of Officers

(Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 5, Page 407.) Two hundred and fifty officers (including eight Medical Officers and four Chaplains) served with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers at some time from its formation in September 1914 to its final demise in 1919.

(Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 5, Page 408.) A proportion of the officers transferred from other regiments and corps, both individually and in larger groups. The first large draft from another unit arrived after the amalgamation with the 2nd North Irish Horse in September 1917. Thirty-one officers are known to have been posted to the newly-named 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion but eleven officers did not join—five were found unfit for service with the infantry, four sought transfer to the Indian Army Reserve of Officers, one transferred to the Tank Corps and one was injured before he could join. Few of the twenty officers who did join remained for any length of time. By December 1917, eleven had transferred to other regiments—six to the Tank Corps, which was recruiting heavily in preparation for the formation of its fourth brigade, four to other infantry regiments and one to the Royal Flying Corps. Of the remaining nine officers, four were wounded or injured by December 1917 (including one attached to 108th Trench Mortar Battery) and the other five became casualties in March or April 1918; two were killed in action, two were captured and one was wounded.

(Blacker’s Boys, Appendix 5, Page 411.) Medical Officer W S S BERRY 1915 – May 1916 Posted to the Staff. E S SOWERBY December 1916 Temporary. O V BURROWS May 1916 – January 1918 Posted. (This minor amendment should be made also to the biographies of Berry and Burrows.)

Officers

HAMILTON. Second Lieutenant John Ireland Born on 30 July 1891 at Belfast. The manager of a linen warehouse for Wilson & Wightman Ltd in Dunfermline, Scotland he returned to Ireland to join Queen’s University, Belfast Officer Training Corps. He joined 7th Officer Cadet Battalion on 3 July 1916. Commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 25 October 1916. To France 24 December 1916 and joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 6 January 1917. Posted to ‘D’ Company. Wounded at the Battle of Langemarck on 16 August 1917, being shot in the right thigh and left shoulder. Evacuated to hospital in England 20 August 1917. Relinquished his commission on account of ill-health caused by wounds 1 March 1919. Silver War Badge, number B80791. He subsequently joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service and lived in Belfast. Brother of Second Lieutenant E Hamilton. (WO 339/64724) HOLLYWOOD. Lieutenant Arthur Carson Born on 29 December 1891 at Ballymacarrett, Belfast. Attended Friend’s School, Lisburn 1903-06 and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. A rent agent, he lived in Helens Bay, County Down and was the company commander of ‘F’ Company, Willowfield Battalion, Belfast Regiment, 1913-14. Enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps (41015, Private) on 12 September 1914 and joined 108th Field

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Ambulance in 36th (Ulster) Division. Promoted to Staff Sergeant. Commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 19 April 1915. Served with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers but did not sail with the Battalion in October 1915. Remained at Borden until he joined the 10th (Reserve) Battalion on 10 October 1915 (with Richardson and 132 men). Rejoined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers in January 1916 and was posted to ‘A’ Company. Wounded in the left arm by a bomb while on patrol near Hamel on 22 February 1916 and evacuated to hospital in England 3 March 1916. Lieutenant 29 February 1916. Rejoined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 1 May 1916. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916, aged 24. Although it was reported that his body was brought back and buried behind Hamel Village, he now has no known grave. His brother, Second Lieutenant James Hollywood, served with the 12th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim) and was also killed in action on 1 July 1916, aged 23. (WO 339/4060) MURPHY MC*, DCM. Captain John Joseph Born on 24 May 1886 at Bruff, County Limerick. Enlisted into the Royal Marine Artillery on 4 January 1902. Served on HMS Commonwealth in 3rd Battle Squadron during the Balkan States War. Promoted to Corporal before he was discharged at the end of his service on 12 January 1914. Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (20071 - Private) on 29 May 1915. Served in France as a Sergeant with the 8th (Service) Battalion in 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division from 19 February 1916. Wounded and earned a DCM during a raid on 11 July 1916. Joined Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Depot in Armagh on 30 January 1917 and 20th Officer Cadet Battalion at Crookham, Aldershot on 10 March 1917. Commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 27 June 1917. He joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 16 September 1917. Recommended for the DSO but awarded an MC for a raid at Havrincourt on 3 November 1917. Suffered from trench fever and was evacuated to hospital in England 7 December 1917. Rejoined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 27 April 1918 and was appointed Officer Commanding ‘B’ Company. Acting Captain 24 June 1918. Again recommended for the DSO but awarded a Bar to his MC for a raid at Meulenhouck, near Bailleul on 22 July 1918. Wounded at Wulverghem on 4 September 1918. On 7 October 1918 he was accused by the Commanding Officer (Lieutenant Colonel P E Kelly) of being drunk. He was removed from command that month, returned to England on 16 December 1918 and was eventually ordered to resign his commission, which he did on 10 April 1919. Volunteered for service with the North Russia Relief Force and re-enlisted into the 45th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) as a company sergeant major (renumbered 133076) on 4 June 1919. Sailed for Russia on 3 July and landed on 12 July 1919. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve on 23 November 1919. Re-enlisted on 7 January 1920 for Regular Army service with The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) (40099, renumbered 7178313 - Private). He joined the 2nd Battalion and was discharged as a Corporal on 4 July 1922, aged 36, when the Regiment was disbanded. He was commissioned into the Irish Free State Army (13714, 1st Lieutenant, Infantry) on 3 August 1922. He served as the officer commanding the Irish Free State Army detachment at Fenit, County Kerry during the Irish Civil War. On his return home to Kilballyowen, Bruff, County Limerick he worked breaking and carrying stone for a quarry until it closed. Unemployed in 1929, he wrote to the King requesting a War Gratuity for his commissioned service; it was refused by the War Office. He subsequently found work in the cement factory in Mungret, Limerick, and lived in a house in Bengal Terrace, Limerick, provided by the Irish Soldiers and Sailors Land Trust. He was killed in an explosion at the cement works on 10 April 1938, aged 51. Two of his brothers served during the First World War, one of whom was killed at the Battle of Loos. (WO 339/97762) ORR BEM, JP. Major Robert Albert Born on 28 May 1888 at Eden, near Plumbridge, County Tyrone. He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1907 and served as a constable at Belleek, County Fermanagh. [Enlisted on 18 January 1916 into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and joined the 12th (Reserve) Battalion (12/28743, Cadet). Promoted Lance Corporal. He joined 7th Officer Cadet Battalion at Fermoy on 5 September 1916.] Commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 19 December 1916 and was posted to the 10th (Reserve) Battalion. To France 5 September 1917 and joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 29 September 1917. Probably ‘B’ Company. Wounded in the leg on 12 April 1918 near Wulverghem and evacuated to hospital in England on 30 April 1918. Lieutenant 19 June 1918. In October 1918 he sailed for

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Salonika; he landed at Itea and joined the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 3 November 1918. To 63rd General Hospital (laryngitis, later diagnosed as tonsillitis) 12 November 1918. He joined the Demobilisation Concentration Camp on 10 January 1919 and then served at the General Base Depot before joining 999th Area Employment Company. He sailed for the United Kingdom on 11 December 1919. He relinquished his commission on 16 January 1920. After the war he worked as a physical education teacher in Strabane before buying a farm near Plumbridge. He later became the sub-postmaster at Newtownstewart. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (361710) on 25 February 1946 for service with the Army Cadet Force, Northern Ireland Command and joined the 2nd (Cadet) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Lieutenant 25 August 1947. Resigned his commission 28 June 1951 and appointed Honorary Major. Justice of the Peace. In 1965 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service as the Sub-Postmaster at Newtownstewart, County Tyrone. He died in 1967, aged 79, in his daughter’s house at 4 Orr Park, Newtownstewart; Orr Second Lieutenant R A Orr with his wife, Elizabeth (née Steen). Park had been named after him. His cousin, Corporal Robert Lunney, was killed in action on 1 July 1916 serving with the 9th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (County Tyrone).

Captain Percy Charles Radbourne. Wounded at Ypres on 1 August 1916, he served the remainder of the war with the Labour Corps. He is wearing the ribbon of the Natal Rebellion Medal. Radbourne died during the Second World War while serving with the South African Internment Corps

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REYNOLDS MC. Lieutenant Edwin Wright Born on 14 June 1894 at Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 1/1st City of London on 17 March 1914 (1748 - Private). Lance Corporal 3 August 1914. Served in Egypt from 5 November 1914 to August 1915. 1914- 15 Star. Landed at Gallipoli on 30 November 1915. Served at Dabaa in Egypt and on the Suez Canal with the Western Frontier Force from 11 December 1915 until he returned to England in mid-1916. Joined 2nd Officer Cadet Battalion at Pembroke College, Cambridge and was commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 26 April 1917. Joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 9 July 1917 and was posted to ‘A’ Company. To hospital sick on 11 August 1917 and evacuated to hospital in England 16 August 1917. Rejoined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers 21 April 1918 and was posted to ‘B’ Company. Commanded ‘C’ Company for a period in September 1918. Awarded an MC during the attacks near Dadizeele on 30 September and 1 October 1918. Sought a transfer to the Indian Army Reserve of Officers and left the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 9 November 1918 for a Medical Board in London. He did not join the Indian Army Reserve of Officers and returned to the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers. He embarked for demobilisation on 18 February 1919 and was released from service on 10 April 1919. He was gazetted as relinquishing his commission with effect from 19 February 1919. Died in Sussex in 1963, aged 69. His sister, Miss Harriet Eleanor Reynolds, served as a nurse during the First World war and earned the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class. His cousin, Captain Edwin Sinton MC, was killed in action serving with the Royal Field Artillery, attached to 4th Light Railway Operating Company, Corps of Royal Engineers. E W Reynolds was a cousin of Brigadier John Alexander Sinton VC, OBE, DL. (WO 339/83301) RICHEY. Second Lieutenant Robert Alexander Born in 1897 at Belfast, the son of a former Sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary. He worked at Davidson and Murray, Opticians and Chemists at Mountpottinger. He enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (23757). Commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 26 June 1918. Joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 14 September 1918. Captured during the attack at Vijfwegen on 30 September 1918; he was initially reported as killed in action. Repatriated on 13 December 1918. Relinquished his commission 1 September 1921. Subsequently lived in , County Tyrone. SETON. Captain Henry Winton Born on 1 August 1887. Commissioned into the Indian Army on 25 January 1908 and served with 1/9th Gurkha Rifles. Served on the North West Frontier in 1908 at the engagement at Matta. India General Service Medal and clasp ‘North West Frontier 1908’. Lieutenant 25 April 1910. Attached to the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers as Adjutant in November 1914. Captain 1 September 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. 1914- 15 Star. Left on 6 December 1915 to return to 1/9th Gurkha Rifles, but joined 20th (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles on 19 June 1916 as Adjutant to Lieutenant Colonel S W W Blacker. Relinquished his appointment 15 May 1918. Retired on account of ill-health 25 July 1923. Died at Falmouth, Cornwall on 9 August 1976, aged 89. YOUNG MC. Second Lieutenant James Bailey Born on 28 September 1893 at Antrim, County Antrim. Educated at Belfast Academical Institute and after leaving school worked as a chemist's assistant. Enlisted into the North Irish Horse on 5 January 1915 (1382). Promoted to Sergeant by 18 December 1915. To France 12 January 1916 with ‘E’ Squadron, North Irish Horse. Joined 1st Cavalry Cadet Squadron at Netheravon and was commissioned into the North Irish Horse on 16 April 1917. Transferred to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers when 2nd North Irish Horse was absorbed but did not immediately join the Battalion. To France 30 January 1918 and attached to the 108th Trench Mortar Battery from 26 April 1918. Wounded in the right forearm on 30 September 1918 and evacuated to England on 14 October 1918. Military Cross. He later transferred to back to the North Irish Horse James Bailey Young before being released from service on 25 July 1919. He resigned his commission on 1 April 1920.

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YOUNG. Second Lieutenant John Bruce Alan Born on 27 June 1897 at , County Antrim. A musician, he enlisted into The Royal Irish Rifles on 2 September 1915 and joined the 5th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles at Holywood. Joined 7th Officer Cadet Battalion on 29 May 1916. Commissioned into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 5 September 1916. Joined the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers on 27 December 1916 and was posted to ‘A’ Company. Wounded at Moeuvres on 23 November 1917 when shot in the left arm. Evacuated to hospital in England 2 December 1917. Mention in Despatches. He did not serve again with the Battalion. Released from service on 22 May 1919. Relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921. Died in Westminster, London February 1988, aged 90. (WO 339/61892) (Note that at Chapter 8, page 231 the reference to J B A Young should, therefore, read J B Young.)

The wedding of Second Lieutenant G W Vesey (standing third from right) and Sybilla Sarah Bernard (seated right) at Fretherne in Gloucestershire in 1915, soon after he was commissioned.

Soldiers of the Battalion Commissioned and Served Elsewhere

WALDREN MC Lieutenant and Quartermaster, Thomas Henry, formerly Warrant Officer Class I 41070. Born on 12 February 1876 at Twyford, Huntingdonshire. Served as a regular soldier with 6th (Inniskilling) . [Enlisted in late-September/October 1914 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/52). To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915 as the Squadron Serjeant Major. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment as Regimental Serjeant Major.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41070). [Transferred immediately to The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (renumbered 42666) and joined the 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry) in 109th Brigade as Regimental Serjeant Major. MC. Commissioned into The South Wales Borderers (Honorary Lieutenant and Quartermaster) 1 July 1918. 1914-15 Star. He became an Inspector with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Died in Kent in 1976. WO 374/70970.

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Officers Posted In But Did Not Join

FORSYTH-FORREST. Lieutenant Philip Maurice (Recorded previously as Lieutenant P L F Forrest.) 2nd North Irish Horse. Posted to the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers 4 October 1917 but fell ill and was evacuated to hospital in England on 24 November 1917.

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APPENDIX 6

Roll of Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers & Other Ranks

ADAMS Private Thomas 20035. Born 28 February 1886. From Newry, County Down. [Enlisted in June 1915 and joined the 8th (Service) Battalion in 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.] Joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion when the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. Captured on 12 April 1918 in the actions near Wulverghem. Died of pneumonia in the hospital at St Quentin while a prisoner of war 15 July 1918. BELL Private John A 41333. From Newry, County Down. [Enlisted in August 1916 into the North Irish Horse (2245). Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41333). ‘B’ Company. Separated from the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin; rejoined 3 April 1918. Missing in the period 11-18 April 1918 in the actions near Wulverghem; subsequently declared killed in action 19 April 1918. Given the location of his original burial, he was almost certainly killed in the action on 12 April on the Wulverghem-Messines Road. BENNETT Private Robert 41117. This man did not serve with the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion—see WEIR Private William 41117. BLACK Private John Edward 18862. Born in Sunderland. [Enlisted into the Hussars of the Line (19532).] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in April 1915 (renumbered 18862). Posted to the 1st Battalion.] Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Killed in action 25 September 1917 by shellfire at Havrincourt, aged 27. BORMAN Private William 41101. Born in 1882 at Boston, Lincolnshire. [Enlisted as a regular soldier on 17 May 1902 and joined 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (4885). Discharged to the Army Reserve on 17 May 1910. Worked as a postman. Enlisted into the Section D Reserve 25 May 1914. Mobilised on 5 August 1914 and posted to 2nd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry. Posted to the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (Private, 4885) 14 June 1916. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 23 September 1917 (renumbered 41101). Evacuated to England sick. Posted to the Irish Command Depot, Randalstown 9 May 1918. Transferred to the Labour Corps 1 September 1918 (renumbered 662154) and posted to 668th Home Service Employment Company. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 8 March 1919. BRITTON Private James William 41601. [Enlisted in late-September/October 1914 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/6). Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment. Wounded by shellfire at Aveluy Wood when two troops engaged in salvage duty were subject to heavy bombardment 5 July 1916. (The man actually wounded was 247 Private Thomas Totton, who did not join 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers.)] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41601). ‘C’ Company. Missing in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin believed captured. BROOKS Private Frederick 14008. Born 16 June 1895 at Armagh, County Armagh. 1st (Armagh) Battalion, Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. A saddler. Enlisted September 1914. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 25 May 1915. Silver War Badge was not awarded (his name appears on List B1516). He reenlisted into the Army Service Corps (M/345879, Private) and served with 1058th Mechanical Transport Company. Died in hospital at Rouen, France 12 May 1918. Brother of Private David Brooks.

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BULMAN Private Joseph 20319. From Newcastle-upon-Tyne. [Enlisted into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (22879).] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 30 June 1915 (renumbered 20319) and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Attached to 108th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery. Wounded by shellfire at Hamel and died of wounds 26 April 1916. 1914-15 Star. Brother of Private Robert Bulman. BYERS Corporal Joseph 24516. Born on 25 March 1898 at Oldcastle, County Meath. From Aghacashel, Ballyjamesduff, County . Enlisted in June 1916. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘D’ Company. Wounded at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Captured on 27 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin. Held at Göttingen PW camp. CAMPBELL Private Alfred 42572. From Cootehill, County Cavan. [Enlisted into 9th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast) 22 June 1916 (521). Posted to the 12th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim).] Transferred at the Base Depot to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 14 September 1918 (renumbered 42572) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 22 September 1918. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Captured on a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 2 April 1919. Silver War Badge, number B185286. CHAMBERS Private John 14089. From Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. 3 Section, 13 Platoon, ‘D’ Company in 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. His father, Private John Chambers, served with 13th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down) and with the Labour Corps. Cousin of Private Joseph Chambers. CHAMBERS Private Joseph 14074. Born in 1892 at Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘D’ Company. Killed in action at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917, aged 25. 1914-15 Star. Cousin of Private John Chambers. CLARKE Corporal Joseph 23439. From Newbliss, County Monaghan. A farmer. Enlisted 6 December 1915 and joined the 10th (Reserve) Battalion. Wounded by a gunshot to the left leg 2 May 1916 while serving with the Ulster Composite Battalion during the Irish Republican attacks in . To France 13 June 1916. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. Wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen 5 December 1917 at Marcoing. Evacuated to hospital in England 24 December 1918. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 15 November 1918. Silver War Badge, number B44339. After the war he emigrated to Canada. He became President of the 36th (Ulster) Division Old Comrades Association in Toronto. Brother of 17928 Private William Clarke. CLARKE Private William 17928. Born at Killeevan, County Monaghan. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in January 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. 1914-15 Star. Brother of Corporal Joseph Clarke. COLLINS Acting Sergeant Reginald Percy 10054. Born in 1894 at Chatham, Kent. From Baldock, Hertfordshire. [Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) as a regular soldier in August/September 1908 and served with the 1st Battalion. To France with the 1st Battalion 22 August 1914. Wounded November 1914.] Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. ‘C’ Company. Shot and killed in action when leading a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918. 1914 Star. COOKE Private Clarence Walter Edward 45795. Born 29 March 1899. From Brixton, Surrey. [Enlisted 31 January 1917 and transferred to the Army Reserve. Mobilised 9 May 1917 and joined 110th Training Reserve Battalion for service with 22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen’s) (66989). Posted to 1/22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen’s) 1 December 1917.] To France and joined 36 Infantry Base Depot 29 March 1918. Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 2 April 1918 (renumbered 45795) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 4 April 1918. Served in 15 Platoon, ‘D’ Company. Missing during the attack at Vijfwegen on 30 September or 1 October 1918; recorded as killed in action on 3 October 1918. For many years his grave mistakenly had a ‘Known Unto God’ headstone.

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COOKE Private Frederick St George 41694. Born on 26 March 1879 at Gortermone, Carrigallen, County Leitrim, one of sixteen children. From Lisburn. A grocer. Member of Masonic Lodge 313. [Enlisted into 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (2182), giving his year of birth as 1886. To France 28 January 1917. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment. To 25th Stationary Hospital sick (measles) 17 February 1917. Rejoined 2nd North Irish Horse 13 March 1917. To hospital sick (haemorrhoids) from 10 October to 7 December 1917. Renumbered H/71709.] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) and joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion on 1 January 1918 (renumbered 41694). Missing in the period 11- 18 April 1918 in the actions between Wulverghem and Kemmel; subsequently declared killed in action 19 April 1918. CORBETT Lance Corporal Henry Stafford 41520. [Served as a regular soldier with the 3rd (King’s Own) Hussars (306). To France 15 August 1914 with 4th Cavalry Brigade, The Cavalry Division. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41520). 1914 Star and clasp. CORKIN Lance Corporal Samuel John 23876. Born on 30 July 1879 at Lisburn. From Jervis Street, Portadown, County Armagh. A yarn dresser for Spence Bryson Ltd, Portadown. Enlisted 24 January 1916 and joined the 10th (Reserve) Battalion. Joined the 9th (Service) Battalion in May/June 1916. ‘B’ Company. Wounded near the River Douve in the right leg by an explosive bullet 11 August 1916. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 14 November 1916. Silver War Badge, number 508733. He died in the Ulster Volunteer Hospital, Botanic Avenue, Belfast on 20 May 1924, aged 44, after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest which ruptured his aorta. He is commemorated on Portadown War Memorial. CUNNINGHAM Private Bernard 42217. From Birmingham. A cycle frame builder. [Enlisted 5 September 1913 into the Regular Army for service with the Army Service Corps (T/33645). To France 20 August 1914 with 12th Company, Army Service Corps (5th Reserve Park).] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 8 May 1918 (renumbered 42217) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. 1914 Star. Transferred to the Section B Army Reserve, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 16 April 1919. Discharged 4 September 1925. CURRIE Private David 42513. Born in 1899 at Belfast. Worked as an apprentice moulder. [Enlisted 4 May 1918 into The Royal Irish Rifles (22571) and joined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion.] To France 7 September 1918 and joined 'A' Infantry Base Depot. Transferred at the Base Depot to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 14 September 1918 (renumbered 42513) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 22 September 1918. ‘D’ Company. Wounded on the attacks near Hill 41 on 6 October 1918 by a gunshot to the chest and died of wounds in 62nd (1/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding on 8 October 1918, aged 19. His brother, Richard Currie, served with the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force including with No. 57 Squadron. DIXON Lance Corporal Thomas George 24019. Born at , County Antrim. From Belfast. [Enlisted 29 February 1916. Joined ‘A’ Company of the 1st Battalion in France 26 September 1916. To hospital sick (influenza) 24 November 1916 and evacuated to hospital in England 15 December 1916. Rejoined the 1st Battalion 24 February 1917. Wounded by a gunshot to the right thigh 9 April 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Arras. Evacuated to hospital in England 28 April 1917 and then to the Ulster Volunteer Force Hospital, Belfast. To France 9 September 1917 and joined the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion, ‘B’ Company. To hospital with trench fever 21 December 1917 and evacuated to hospital in England. Joined the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion 6 July 1918.] To France 11 August 1918 and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 29 August 1918. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Shot in the head and killed in action on a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918, aged 20. DODDS Private James 10189. Born in 1887 at , County Down. [Served with the 5th () Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles from 28 June 1908 before enlisting for service as a regular soldier. Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 30 December 1908. He joined the 2nd Battalion in India on 26 January 1911. Landed in France with the 2nd Battalion on 20 December 1914. Wounded (gunshot wound to the neck) 24 June 1915 and evacuated to hospital in England. Returned to France on 4 January 1916 and joined the 1st Battalion.

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Wounded (shrapnel wound right knee) on 14 August 1916 and evacuated to hospital in England.] Returned to France 9 December 1916 and joined 36 Infantry Base Depot. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion and joined ‘C’ Company on 14 December. To hospital in Boulogne 18 April 1918 (boil on the left knee). Posted to No. 1 Employment Base Depot 11 May 1918. [Transferred on 2 July 1918 to the Labour Corps (renumbered 575598); he served with 917 Garrison Guard Company, which became No. 3 Garrison Company, 43rd (Garrison) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in mid-1918 (renumbered GS/101530). Served in the Army of Occupation. Transferred to Section B Army Reserve 12 April 1919. (Renumbered 6450588 in The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment in 1920). Discharged 29 December 1920.] 1914-15 Star. DOWNEY Private Henry Andrew 41113. This man did not serve with the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. ELLIOTT MM Private James 14154. From Armagh, County Armagh. Worked in a linen mill. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. 36th (Ulster) Division Certificate for Gallantry 1 July 1916. MM – Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. [Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 666570).] 1914-15 Star. Brother of Privates Harry Elliott and Robert Elliott. ELLIOTT Private John 14157. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. 36th (Ulster) Division Certificate for Gallantry 1 July 1916. [Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 231596).] Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 8 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. Lived at Desert, County Armagh. FOY Private William James 16622. Born in 1885 in Lurgan, County Armagh, he worked in Belfast in the linen trade. Enlisted in November 1914 and joined the 8th (Service) Battalion in 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.] Joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion when the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. GEARY Private George Edmund Clugston 25210. Born 12 March 1896 at Johnstone, Renfrewshire. Worked as a flax dresser. [Enlisted under the Derby Scheme on 2 February 1916 at Paisley and transferred to the Army Reserve. Mobilised 27 November 1916 and joined the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion. Charged on 3 March 1917 with: ‘When under orders for British Expeditionary Force absent from tattoo on 22 February 1917 until apprehended by the civil power on 25 February 1917 thereby evading embarkation’; found guilty and sentenced to fourteen days’ detention and forfeit four days’ pay. To 36 Infantry Base Depot 17 March 1917 and joined the 1st Battalion 22 April 1917. Wounded at Moeuvres 22/23 November 1917 and evacuated to hospital in England. Posted to the Irish Command Depot at Randalstown. Fined six days pay for overstaying his pass 15 February 1918. Fined ten days pay for breaking out of barracks 8 April 1918. Tried by District Court Martial on 16 July 1918 charged with: ‘Deserting His Majesty’s Service from 13 April 1918 until apprehended by the civil power at Armagh on 6 July 1918 in plain clothes.’ Found guilty and sentenced to fifty-six days’ detention. Posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion 26 July 1918.] To 36 Infantry Base Depot 25 August 1918 and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 9 September 1918. ‘D’ Company. Wounded when shot in the left arm at Courtrai on 16 October 1918. Treated at 54th General Hospital, Aubergue then evacuated to hospital in England 24 October 1918. Treated at 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester until 1 March 1919. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 5 April 1919. He was also treated at Bellahouston Hospital. Glasgow, where he found work after being discharged. Silver War Badge, number B207385. He died of tuberculosis on 27 April 1927, aged 31, and was buried in Abbey Cemetery, Elderslie, Renfrewshire. His brother, Private William McGill Smyth Geary, served with 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles and 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps; his brother, Private Samuel Geary, served with 25th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force; and his brother, Stoker Charles William Clugston Geary, served with the Royal Navy in the minesweeper HMS James Cosgrove. GILMORE Private McClelland 18633. From Mowhan, County Armagh. Cladymiltown detachment, Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in April 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916 and died of wounds in Horton Voluntary Aid Hospital, near Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire on 28 July 1916, aged 20. 1914-15 Star.

35 Blacker’s Boys—Consolidated Update November 2017

GLENN Lance Corporal Samuel 18556. Born 6 July 1894 at Derryleigh, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in April 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘C’ Company. Bombing team. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. Wounded during the retreat from St Quentin and captured on 27 March 1918 at Roye. Held at Limburg PW camp. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 31 March 1920. 1914-15 Star. He married at Dromore in 1926 and emigrated to Canada in 1927, initially farming at Lestock, Saskatchewan but during the depression moved to Regina. He died on 15 September 1978, aged 82, and was buried in Regina. GOGGINS Private Joseph 16212. Born on 20 May 1890 in County Waterford. Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Special Reserve in 1908. [Enlisted at Clonmel, County Tipperary into the 5th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (Pioneers) in 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division in August 1914. Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers in October 1914 and joined the 5th (Service) Battalion in 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. Embarked with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force July 1915. Posted to the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion in 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.] Joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion when the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. Missing in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin believed captured. Died on 23 March 1953, aged 62, in County Roscommon. GRAY Private Herbert James 14212. Born in 1896 at Killeen, Armagh, County Armagh. A farmer’s son. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘B’ Company. Reportedly wounded three times including being wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916 and wounded at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 3 March 1919. Silver War Badge, number B154471. 1914-15 Star. Died 9 June 1962. HANNA Lance Corporal Robert 27446. Born in 1899. From Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted 22 March 1917. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘B’ Company. Wounded at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 16 January 1919. Silver War Badge, number B84673. Brother of Private William Hanna. His brother, Rifleman Samuel Hanna, was killed in action on 1 July 1916 serving with 13th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down). HANNA Private William 14281. Born at Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘A’ Company. Wounded (leg amputated) at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Died of wounds 10 September 1917. 1914-15 Star. Brother of Lance Corporal Robert Hanna. His father, Rifleman William Hanna, died while serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles, in Allahabad, India. HOLLAND Private Phillip 41636. Born at 17 Pitt Place, Ballymacarrett, County Down on 5 January 1889. [Served with 4th Battalion (Militia), The Royal Irish Rifles before enlisting for regular service on 9 March 1907. Joined the 2nd Battalion. Sentenced to 21 days’ detention for being absent without leave 20 August 1907. Sentenced to two months’ detention by a civil court for stealing a bicycle 31 October 1907. Sentenced to 42 days’ detention for desertion 5 June 1909. Sentenced to one month’s detention by a civil court for stealing a bicycle 15 January 1910 and discharged from the Army 26 January 1910. Enlisted into the North Irish Horse (1005) 13 August 1914. To France with ‘C’ Squadron August 1914. Evacuated to England sick 11 December 1915. When recovered, he was posted to the Depot at Antrim. To France 5 March 1917 and joined ‘A’ Squadron, 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 24 October 1917 (renumbered 41636). [Transferred to the North Irish Horse 4 December 1917 (renumbered 71195) and joined Cyclist Battalion. To hospital sick (myalgia) 7 September 1918 and evacuated to England 8 October 1918.] Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to illness 4 March 1919. Silver War Badge number B206257. Emigrated to Canada in 1921 and settled in British Columbia, where he died on 20 February 1979. HONEYSETT Private Charles Edward 45778. Born 26 January 1899 at Thornton Heath, Surrey. Worked as a clerk. [Enlisted 26 January 1917 at Wimbledon and transferred to the Army Reserve. Mobilised 26 April 1917 and joined 110th Training Reserve Battalion at Wimbledon (73025) for service with 22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen’s).

36 Blacker’s Boys—Consolidated Update November 2017

Joined 22nd (Reserve) Battalion, The London Regiment in 2nd London Reserve Brigade at Chiseldon Camp, 20 November 1917.] To France and joined 36 Infantry Base Depot 29 March 1918. Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 2 April 1918 (renumbered 45778) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 4 April 1918. Lewis Gunner, 6 Platoon, ‘B’ Company. Evacuated sick (typhoid) via 109th Field Ambulance to hospital in Boulogne 22 April 1918. Rejoined 23 July 1918. To hospital sick 18 August 1918 and evacuated to hospital in England 9 October 1918. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 24 February 1919. Re-enlisted in 1939. Corporal Royal Army Service Corps (S/2081298). Served at the War Office. Accompanied the delegation to the Quebec Conference in 1943 at Château Frontenac that lay the foundations of the United Nations, and where he took dictation from Winston Churchill. Died 19 January 1982, aged 82, at St Martin, Cornwall. IRVINE Private H 11712. Born on 3 January 1891. [Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 14 August 1914. To France 27 December 1914 and joined the 1st Battalion on 8 January 1915. Wounded 25 May 1915 at Verlorenhoek, east of Ypres. When recovered he was posted to the 5th (Service) Battalion. Later posted to the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion.] Joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion when the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. ‘C’ Company. Missing in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin believed captured. 1914-15 Star. Enlisted into Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) (renumbered 31041) in 1919 and served until 1921. His medals, initially forfeit due to fraudulent enlistment, were later issued. During the Second World War he enlisted on 6 October 1939 into the Royal Regiment of Artillery (2967406, Gunner) and served with 315 Battery, 102nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade. He was discharged on 18 July 1940 due to injury or sickness. IRWIN Private William Thomas 29440. Born on 20 January 1898 at Lurgan, County Armagh. He enlisted in April 1916, aged 16 and served elsewhere (probably the 20th (Reserve) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles) before transferring to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in March 1918 (renumbered 29440). Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Captured on 12 April 1918 in the actions between Wulverghem and Kemmel. He was forced to work behind the German lines for four months before being interned in Dulmen and Cottbus Prisoner of War Camps. Cottbus suffered a major typhus outbreak. He returned to England, sick, on 29 January 1919 and was transferred to the Ulster Volunteer Force Hospital in Belfast. He died there on 16 May 1919, aged 19. JENNER Private Samuel Joseph 42235 & 7042177. Born in 1897 at Rotherhithe, London. [Enlisted 17 April 1915 into the Army Service Corps (T/36891), giving his age as 19 years. To France 13 July 1915 and served with 17th Division Train.] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 8 May 1918 (renumbered 42235) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Captured on a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918. Repatriated 16 December 1918. Transferred to the Section B Army Reserve, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 20 March 1919 (renumbered 7042177). Mobilised 17 January 1921. Discharged 16 April 1927. 1914-15 Star. Died at Reading, Berkshire in 1952, aged 55. JOHNSTON Private George Uriah 41359. Born 14 February 1898 at Shankill, Belfast. [Enlisted 1 January 1917 into the North Irish Horse (2338). Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41359). Wounded. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 17 June 1918, aged 20. Silver War Badge, number 387928. Emigrated to the United States in November 1920, where he worked as a clerk in Chicago, Illinois. He became a United States citizen in 1928 and died in Arizona in November 1968. KING Private William 26118. Born 22 May 1898 at Loughgall, County Armagh. Enlisted in January 1917. Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. ‘C’ Company. Captured on 27 March 1918 at Roye. Held at Giessen PW camp. KING Private William Michael 43153. From Creevagh, Loughgall, County Armagh. [Enlisted 9 January 1916. Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in August 1916 and joined the 7th (Service) Battalion in 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.] Joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion when the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. ‘C’ Company.

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Captured in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin. Held at Limburg Prisoner of War Camp and worked at the furnaces of a zinc factory. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 20 February 1919. Silver War Badge, number B154480. KIRKWOOD Sergeant George 14388. Born on 15 May 1892 at Milford, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘A’ Company. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916—he was given first aid by Private D H Linton, who was also wounded. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 31 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. He subsequently lived at Hornchurch, Essex, where he died in 1969, aged 77. LINTON Private David Henry 14707 & 29059. Born on 29 November 1895 at Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. Treated at Frensham Hill Military Hospital, Farnham, Surrey. Discharged as a result of wounds or transferred. Re-enlisted into, or transferred back to, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in early-1918 (renumbered 29059). Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 1 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. Died in 1953, aged 57. LLOYD Sergeant Alfred 8754. [Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) as a regular soldier in 1904. To France with the 1st Battalion 22 August 1914. Wounded August 1914. Evacuated to hospitals in Cambridge and Aldershot. Served also with the 6th (Service) Battalion in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.] Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. ‘A’ Company. Missing in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin believed captured. 1914 Star. (Incorrect information removed—not related to Private Thomas Lloyd below.) LLOYD Private Thomas 14404. From Tandragee, County Armagh. 4th (Portadown) Battalion, Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. 1914-15 Star. His brother, Private Benjamin Lloyd (6031), was killed in action on 3 May 1917 at the Chemical Works, Roeux while serving with the 1st Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers). Three other brothers also served: John Henry Lloyd with the Army Service Corps, Private Joseph Lloyd (11470) with Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers)—he was wounded and lost an eye— and Private Alfred Lloyd, enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Special Reserve (3916) in 1916 and later transferred to The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (renumbered 48596). Brother of Sergeant Alfred Lloyd. MAKINSON MM Lance Sergeant Harry 18869. Born at Burnley, Lancashire. From Clayon-le- Moors and worked at Rishton Paper Mill. [Enlisted into the Hussars of the Line (19522) for service with 14th (King’s) Hussars. Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in April 1915 (renumbered 18869). To France 21 July 1915 and joined the 1st Battalion.] Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘C’ Company. MM – Havrincourt raid 3 November 1917. Wounded by shellfire at Poperinghe railway station and died of wounds 11 April 1918. McCARROLL Private George 14561. From Lurgan, County Armagh. Member of the Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘C’ Company. Signaller at the forward visual transmitting station during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916 and did not take part in the attack. 36th (Ulster) Division Certificate for Gallantry 1 July 1916. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 15 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. McCAUSLAND Lance Corporal Joseph Ernest 42562 & 7042206. Born in 1901 at Clogherny, County Tyrone. [Enlisted into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (29978). Transferred to The Royal Irish Rifles (renumbered 22762).] Transferred at the Base Depot to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 14 September 1918 (renumbered 42562) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 22 September 1918. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Captured on a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918. Re-enlisted in early-1919 for Regular Army service with Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (renumbered 7042206). Served with the 1st Battalion in Persia and Mesopotamia in 1919/20. General Service Medal 1918-1962 with clasps ‘’ & ‘NW Persia’. Died 8 November 1980, aged 79. Buried at Clogherny Presbyterian Church, County Tyrone. McCOMMICK Lance Corporal Samuel John 14541. Born in 1875 at Portadown, County

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Armagh. A mill foreman and father of ten (this was incorrectly added to the record of 14566 McCormick). Enlisted September 1914, aged 39, giving his age as 35. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘B’ Company. Wounded near River Douve by machine-gun fire 11 August 1916. [Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 231620).] Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to wounds 21 May 1918, aged 42. Silver War Badge, number, 390750. 1914-15 Star. McCORMICK MM Private Robert James 14566. From Portadown, County Armagh. A father of ten. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘B’ Company. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. MM – Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 22 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. McCULLOUGH Corporal Johnston 14502. Born in 1890 at Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. 1914-15 Star. Brother of Private William James McCullough. Brother-in-law of Sergeant Alexander Seaton and Private Robert James Seaton. McCULLOUGH Private William James 23299. Born in 1888 at Bessbrook, County Armagh. From Loughgilly, County Armagh. Enlisted in November 1915. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. Wounded and died of wounds 21 November 1916, aged 27. Brother of Corporal Johnston McCullough. McFADDEN Private Thomas 24647. From Cootehill, County Cavan. Enlisted August 1916. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. [Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (renumbered 146246).] McKEOWN Private James 22552. Born 21 January 1893. From Gilford, County Armagh. Enlisted in November 1915. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘A’ Company. Captured on 22 March 1918. Held at Langensalza PW Camp. Brother of Private John McKeown. Served during the Second World War with the Royal Pioneer Corps. Died 8 March 1956. McKEOWN Private John 23302. From Gilford, County Armagh. Enlisted in November 1915. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘B’ Company. Captured in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin. Brother of Private James McKeown. McMANUS Lance Corporal Randal Edmund 41505. Born in 1893 at Dungannon, County Tyrone. Educated at Dungannon Royal School. Emigrated to Canada but returned to Ireland with his brother Hubert to enlist. [Enlisted 31 October 1914 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/88). Lance Corporal 12 February 1915. Charged with refusing to obey an order and being absent off parade and reverted to Private 12 April 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment. Lance Corporal 19 May 1917.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41505). Missing in the period 11-18 April 1918 in the actions between Wulverghem and Kemmel; subsequently declared killed in action 19 April 1918, aged 26. 1914-15 Star. His brother, Second Lieutenant Hubert McManus, served with the North Irish Horse and the Machine Gun Corps before being commissioned into the Machine Gun Corps in October 1917. His eldest brother, Private Harold McManus, served in Canada with The Grenadier Guards of Canada. McMORROW Sergeant Owen John 16912. Born at Drumlease, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim. A farmer. [Enlisted 16 October 1914 into the 6th (Service) Battalion, The Connaught Rangers (1370). Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 16 November 1914 (renumbered 16192) and joined the 8th (Service) Battalion in 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. Lance Corporal 26 May 1915. To France 19 February 1916 in 16th (Irish) Division. 16th (Irish) Division Parchment Certificate for Gallantry and Devotion to Duty - Ginchy September 1916. Corporal 5 January 1917. Wounded (shrapnel wound to the neck) at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Treated at 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and 2nd Australian General Hospital. Rejoined the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion 10 September 1917. Sergeant 31 December 1917.] Joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion when the 7th/8th (Service) Battalion was disbanded in February 1918. ‘A’ Company. Captured on 21 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin. Held at Friedrichsfeld PW camp. Repatriated 5 December

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1918. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 17 March 1919. McWILLIAMS Private Samuel 16147. Born on 17 October 1893 in County Louth. Lived at Creeve, County Monaghan. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in October 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded. [Transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps (136753).] 1914-15 Star. Brother of Corporal Thomas McWilliams. McWILLIAMS Corporal Thomas John 16124. Born in 1885 in County Louth. From Creeve, County Monaghan. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in October 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 24 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. Died in Belfast 30 January 1955 and buried at Keady, County Armagh. Brother of Private Samuel McWilliams. MELLOR Lance Corporal Stanley Hastings 27820. Born in 1892 at Orrell Park, Liverpool. A warehouse clerk. [Enlisted into the Army Ordnance Corps (912104).] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in July 1917 (renumbered 27820). Posted to the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Shot and killed in action when second-in-command of a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918, aged 26. MONAGHAN Private Robert 22981. Born on 25 November 1891 at Bessbrook, County Armagh. Served prior to the war in the Special Reserve. Re-enlisted in November 1915. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘D’ Company. Wounded, when shot in the mouth during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. Captured on 27 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin. Repatriated to Hull on 27 November 1918. Subsequently lived at Beetle Row, Millvale. He died in 1966/67. Brother of 23300 Private William Monaghan. MONAGHAN Private William 23300. Born 16 June 1885 at Newtownhamilton, County Armagh. Enlisted in November 1915. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘D’ Company. Killed in action at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917, aged 32. Brother of 22981 Private Robert Monaghan. MORRISON Private Francis James 41112. Born on 30 June 1895 at Brookeborough, County Fermanagh. [Enlisted in late-1914/early-1915 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/198). To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41112). Killed in action near Wieltje 25 May 1918, aged 22. 1914-15 Star. His brother, Private John Morrison, was killed in action at Thiepval on 1 July 1916 serving with the 11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers ( and Fermanagh). His brother, Private Alexander (Sandy) Morrison, was a Special Reservist who served with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was wounded in 1915 and 1916 and captured in 1918. His brother, Private John Morrison, was killed in action at Thiepval on 1 July 1916 serving with the 11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal and Fermanagh). His brother, Private Alexander (Sandy) Morrison, was a Special Reservist who served with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; he was wounded in 1915 and 1916 and captured in 1918. Cousin of 41110 Private John Morrison. MORRISON Private John 41110. [Enlisted 6 November 1914 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/157). To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41110). Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 19 March 1919. Silver War Badge, number B162031. 1914-15 Star. He died in 1962 and is buried in Carnmoney Cemetery. His brother, Sergeant William James Morrison, was a regular soldier who served with the 1st Battalion and, later, with The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Cousin of 41112 Private Francis James Morrison. MORROW Private Robert Edgar 41130. Born 7 March 1895 at Belfast. [Enlisted in November 1914 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/179). To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in September/October 1917 (renumbered 41130).

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Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 12 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. He subsequently worked as a Customs Officer in Belfast and during the Second World War he served with the Home Guard in Belfast. Died at Belfast 8 April 1951, aged 56. NEILL DCM Sergeant William 14577. Born 26 July 1879 at Ballymacateer, County Armagh. Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘C’ Company. Promoted Sergeant and attached to the Battalion Transport, where he served during the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916. Appointed Transport Sergeant 24 August 1916. DCM. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 16 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. On behalf of the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, planted the tree at the dedication of the Ulster Tower. Served with the Ulster Special Constabulary ‘A’ Class and became a Head Constable. Died at home 20 February 55, aged 75. He is buried at Lurgan New Cemetery. His brother, Sergeant Hamilton Neill, served throughout the war with 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles. His nephew, Rifleman Thomas Bunting, was killed in action on 1 July 1916 while serving with 9th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast) in 107th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. NEILLY Private Robert 42565. From , County Londonderry. [Enlisted into The Royal Irish Rifles (21049).] Transferred at the Base Depot to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 14 September 1918 (renumbered 42565) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 22 September 1918. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Captured on a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918. NELSON Private George 19730. Born in 1870. A compositor by trade and worked at McWatters printers, Armagh. To France 17 November 1915. [Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 369767).] Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 9 March 1919. Died of peritonitis on 25 April 1919. Buried in St Mark’s Churchyard, Armagh. Not commemorated by the CWGC. Father of Private George Nelson and 14279 Private James Nelson. NELSON Private George 19824. From Armagh, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in May 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. 1914-15 Star. Son of Private George Nelson. NELSON Private James 14579. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. [Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 231622).] Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 11 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. Son of Private George Nelson. NESBITT Private John 41613. Born in 1886 in Belfast. [Enlisted on 23 November 1914 into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/191). To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment. Wounded (shrapnel wound to the head) 10 May 1917.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 6 October 1917 (renumbered 41613). Wounded (gunshot wound right shoulder) on 12 April 1918 in the action near Wulverghem and evacuated to hospital in England. Posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion 4 June 1918. To France 24 September 1918. Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 657792) 23 October 1918. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 28 May 1919. 1914- 15 Star. NEVILLE Lance Corporal John 14591. From Armagh, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. 1914-15 Star. Cousin of Private Thomas Neville. NEVILLE Private Thomas 14584. From Armagh, County Armagh. Worked at the Gillis linen mill. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916, aged 22. 1914-15 Star. Cousin of Private John Neville. PARTRIDGE Private John Ernest 45788. Born in 1899. From Streatham, London. [Enlisted 21 March 1917, aged 17, and joined 110th Training Reserve Battalion. Transferred to The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (67088) 29 November 1917. Posted to 1/22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen’s) 1 December 1917.] To ‘K’ Infantry Base Depot 31 March 1918. Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 2 April 1918 (renumbered

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45788) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion 6 April 1918. Captured (reported wounded) in the actions between Wulverghem and Kemmel on 11 April 1918 while scouting. After working in the area of Marle, he was transferred to Heilsberg Prisoner of War Camp, East Prussia (now Lidzbark Warmiński, Poland) on 11 October 1918, when he was unable to work. Died of ‘general weakness’ at Heilsberg Prisoner of War Camp 27 October 1918, aged 19. His brother, Lieutenant Henry Treneman Partridge served with The Royal Sussex Regiment and the Royal Flying Corps. He was killed in an aircraft accident at Heliopolis, Egypt on 14 July 1918. PENTLAND Private John (number unknown). Born on 29 February 1896 at Killicomaine in Seagoe parish, Portadown. The family lived at Victoria Street, Lurgan and he worked nearby at Johnston and Allen linen factory, initially as an apprentice parer. Signed the Ulster Covenant and was a member of 4th (Portadown) Battalion, Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in 1914, probably in September. At some time he suffered an injury to his hand and did not leave the United Kingdom for service in France. Posted to the 10th (Reserve) Battalion. He served in Dublin (dates unknown, possibly with the Ulster Composite Battalion in April 1916). Transferred to the Class Z Reserve in 1919, he initially returned to work for Johnston and Allen. Died in 1981, aged 85 and is buried in New Line Cemetery, Lurgan. PRENTER Private Ernest 23298. Born in 1898 at Lurgan, County Armagh. Enlisted in November 1915. Posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion. ‘C’ Company Clerk in 1918 (Lance Corporal). PROCTOR Private John Cars Logan 14621. Born in 1894 at Armagh, County Armagh. A painter. Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. To hospital sick (tuberculosis) and evacuated to hospital in England 10 November 1915. Posted to the 10th (Reserve) Battalion 29 December 1915. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 25 May 1916, aged 22. Silver War Badge, number 508793. Died 25 March 1917. 1914-15 Star. ROBINSON Corporal George 17944. From Druminally, Portadown, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in February 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘C’ Company. Detached to the Battalion Transport during the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916. MM – Hamel. Wounded in the liver by a machine gun bullet 6 September 1916 in the River Douve area and died of wounds 12 September 1916, aged 30. 1914-15 Star. RUSSELL Private Archibald 20214. Born in Tullyish parish, County Down 2 January 1895. Later moved to Portadown. Worked as a weaver. Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 16 May 1915 and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion. Landed in France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. He was evacuated to hospital in England on 16 November 1915. He returned to France on 31 March 1916 and served with the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers until he was again evacuated to hospital in England on 21 August 1916. Unfit for service with infantry, he transferred to the Royal Defence Corps (renumbered 77069). Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness on 17 October 1918. Silver War Badge, number B28683. Later served with the Ulster Special Constabulary and, during the Second World War, with the Ulster Home Guard. 1914-15 Star; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. RUSSELL Lance Corporal Thomas James 14630. From Park Road, Portadown, County Armagh. Born on 14 March 1881, the eldest of five sons. Enlisted into Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) in 1893 and joined the 2nd Battalion. Rejoined from the Army Reserve at the beginning of the South African War and served in the Royal Field Artillery. Queen’s South Africa Medal with five clasps, King’s South Africa Medal with clasps ‘South Africa 1901’ and ‘South Africa 1902’. 4th (Portadown) Battalion, Armagh Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force. Enlisted September 1914. Posted to the 10th (Reserve) battalion in October 1915. To France in March 1916. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. Brother of Private Joseph Russell. His brother Private William George Russell earned a DCM in 1914 serving with the Irish Guards; he was discharged in 1917 and died as a result of his war service on 27 April 1926. SEATON Sergeant Alexander 14686. Born on 8 January 1898 at Belfast. Lived in Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Wounded in the period immediately prior to the attack at Hamel. Tried by Field General Court Martial on 24 December 1918 charged with ‘striking a soldier’; found not guilty. Transferred to

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the Class Z Reserve. 1914-15 Star. In December 1920 he emigrated to the United States, initially to New York; he became a United States citizen in 1922. He died in Ventura, California on 26 September 1979, aged 81. Brother of Private Robert Seaton. Brother-in-law of Corporal Johnston McCullough. SEATON Private Robert James 18557. Born on 15 January 1890 at Belfast. Lived in Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in April 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘A’ Company. Involved in the accidental shooting of Second Lieutenant H H Dunwoody on 31 July 1916. Wounded at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917. Wounded in the period 11-18 April 1918 in the actions between Wulverghem and Kemmel. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve. 1914-15 Star. In March 1923 he emigrated to the United States, to New York, where he died at Long Island, New York in December 1970, aged 80. Brother of Sergeant Alexander Seaton. Brother-in-law of Corporal Johnston McCullough. SLOANE Private John George 17825. Born in 1896 at Drumcree, Portadown, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in January 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘B’ Company. Wounded during the attack at Hamel 1 July 1916. Missing in the period 21-28 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin believed captured. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 11 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. His brother, Private Henry Sloane, also enlisted and joined the 4th (Reserve) Battalion—he died at Purdysburn Fever Hospital of cerebrospinal fever on 16 May 1915, aged only 14½. TAYLOR Private John Richard 42249. Born 1 May 1984 in Tarleton, Lancashire. [Enlisted on 18 October 1916 and joined ‘C’ Company, 2/1st Battalion, The Herefordshire Regiment (5693 Private). Transferred into the Army Service Corps (T/293383) in December 1916. Served with 663rd Horse Transport Company, London. To France 4 February 1917.] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 8 May 1918 (renumbered 42249) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion in June. Wounded 2 October 1918 and evacuated to hospital in England. To Irish Command Depot, Tipperary 15 November 1918. WEIR Private Francis 14799. From Union Street, Lurgan. Worked as a linen weaver. Enlisted September 1914, aged 50. Did not serve overseas. Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 231630) and served with 668th Home Service Employment Company. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 10 April 1918. Silver War Badge, 340838. number His son, Private William Weir served with The Royal Irish Rifles; he was shot in the face in October 1915. WEIR Private William 41117. Born at Killycat, Rossary, , County Fermanagh on 26 May 1896. A farmer’s son. Enlisted into the Service Squadron, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (UD/51) 12 October 1914. To France 27 December 1916. Served with 2nd North Irish Horse, X Corps Cavalry Regiment.] Joined the renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion from 36 Infantry Base Depot and transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) on 23 September 1917 (renumbered 41117). Evacuated to hospital in England sick (trench fever) 2 December 1917. Transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 663241). WHITE Lance Corporal Norman 14786. Born in summer 1898 at Mullaglass, County Armagh. Enlisted September 1914, aged 16. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915 and served with the Battalion Transport. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve 23 March 1919. 1914- 15 Star. Served with the Ulster Special Constabulary before emigrating to Canada in the early1920s. He worked initially as a farm labourer in Manitoba and later with Parkhill Bedding Company in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His wife died in 1962 and he moved to Montreal, where he died in 1965. WHITESIDE Private Ferguson 20034. Born in 1887 at Portadown. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in June 1915. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Transferred to the Class Z Reserve. 1914-15 Star. Died in 1956. His brother, Corporal Robert Whiteside, was killed in action on 18 June 1917 while serving with the 16th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (2nd County Down) (Pioneers). His brother, Private William James Whiteside (5776), was wounded by a gunshot that blinded him in both eyes in April 1915 while serving with the 1st Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers). He laid the first wreath at the dedication of the Portadown war memorial and died in 1942. His brother, Alexander Whiteside, had served pre-

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war with the 3rd Battalion (Militia), Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) and emigrated to the Nebraska, United States; he served with the United States Army during the First World War. WILLIAMS Private Lewis 42189. A miner from Gilfach Goch, near Bridgend, Glamorgan. [Enlisted into the Army Service Corps (T4/69765). To France 1 December 1915. Served with 43rd Division Train.] Transferred to Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) 8 May 1918 (renumbered 42189) and joined the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. 12 Platoon, ‘C’ Company. Reduced in rank from Lance Corporal for being absent without leave—he had remained at home due to having a sick child. Captured on a patrol near Gheluwe on 30 September 1918. Returned home on 2 December 1918. After a period of leave he reported to the Depot on 1 February 1919 and was transferred to the Class Z Reserve on 25 March 1919. 1914-15 Star. WOODS Lance Corporal Fred 17131. From Bessbrook, County Armagh. Enlisted into the 9th (Service) Battalion in October 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. ‘A’ Company. After being wounded or falling sick, he transferred to the Labour Corps (renumbered 655077). 1914-15 Star. WOOLSEY Private Robert 14756. Enlisted September 1914. To France with 36th (Ulster) Division in October 1915. Discharged as no longer physically fit for war service due to sickness 4 December 1917, aged 32. Silver War Badge, number 274444. 1914-15 Star. He died in 1956.

(Return to Contents)

44 Blacker’s Boys—Consolidated Update November 2017

APPENDIX 9

Sport

Football

Sport has always been an important part of military life and the popularity of football in the United Kingdom is reflected in its popularity in the . It is noteworthy that Sheffield Football Club, the oldest football club, was founded in 1857 by Nathaniel Cresswick and William Priest, both officers in the Volunteer Rifle Corps. Major Francis Marindin founded the Royal Engineers Association Football Club in 1869; it went on to win the FA Cup in 1875. He was President of the Football Association of England from 1874 to 1879 and he instigated the formation of the Army Football Association 1888. In the period before the First World War, football was the primary team sport played in the Army. It was extremely competitive; the Army Challenge Cup was first battled for in March 1889 when it was won by the 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders).

Portadown Olympic FC 1910/1911 This amateur team was undefeated in the four seasons from 1908/09 to 1911/12. Seated second from right (front row) is William Herbert Palmer, Team Captain (later Sergeant W H Palmer MM and commissioned into The Royal Irish Regiment). Others known to have served during the First World War are: Goal-keeper David Kinley (back row, third from left), later Lieutenant D Kinley. He lost a leg in th Mesopotamia serving with the 8 (Service) Battalion, The Royal Welsh Regiment, and after the war qualified as a doctor.

Centre Forward W McLeer (front row first on left), later Private W McLeer, killed in action on 1 July 1916

serving with the 11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal and Fermanagh).

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Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers) has always had a first-class reputation as a sporting regiment and its football team played an important part in that. In the 1909- 10 season, the 1st Battalion reached the final of the Army Challenge Cup but lost to the Royal Marine Light Infantry (Gosport) 2-0. Football was popular in the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers from the early days of its formation. It is not known when the first battalion team was formed but the first recorded match, against 11th Royal Irish Rifles, was reported in the Lurgan Times in May 1915.

The line-up for that match was:12 Turkington Mercer, Holmes Milligan, Lindsay, Mitchell Cochrane, Bleakley (sic), Molloy, Burnison, McIlroy

The report indicated that the game was ‘end to end’, with McIlroy and Burnison pressing to score, before a weak free kick by the 11th Royal Irish Rifles was taken advantage of by Bleakley (sic-Blakley), who opened the scoring. The half time score was 1-0. In the second half Ward, of 11th Royal Irish Rifles, made a ‘stinging effort’ after a solo run from mid-field. Soon afterwards he was brought down in the penalty box and scored from the penalty spot. The Royal Irish Fusiliers then dominated the game with two goals from Burnison and one from Malloy. The final score: 4-1.

The first recorded match in France was against a battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers on 18 December 1915, which 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers won 5-1.

In January 1917 an inter-platoon football competition (won by 13 Platoon) was followed by an inter-company competition (won by ‘B’ Company). All of this, and competitions in other events, was in preparation for the 108th Brigade sports competition on 19 and 22 January. ‘B’ Company won the overall competition but lost the football match to 12th Royal Irish Rifles 1-2.

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Jack Barbour appears to have been a driving force behind the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers’ football team after this, and its success became a source of real pride. Amongst its players were Sergeant Francis Homersham DCM, MM*, Private William Quail, who had played for Glenavon Football Club, and Private Harold Burnison. Burnison later went on to have a successful football career in Ireland, playing 326 games for Distillery Football Club. As captain in the 1924- 25 season he won the Irish and Gold Cups.

12 Ranks and decorations are as at the end of the war: Burnison – 14003 Private Harold Burnison Cochrane – 14100 Corporal John Cochrane Mercer – 15866 Private David Henry Mercer; wounded three times. Turkington – 2Lt Alfred Turkington MM (formerly 14720 Sergeant A Turkington MM). The remainder cannot be identified positively due to the commonality of names in the Battalion.

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The football team in mid-1918. Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Jack Barbour is seated on the right. Sitting on the ground on the right is 41243 Sergeant John Alexander McMaster.

Football matches played by 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers

Date Opposing Team Result 18 December 1915 Lancashire Fusiliers 5-1 Won 1 January 1916 13th Royal Irish Rifles 1-1 Drawn 17 March 1916 14th Royal Irish Rifles 2-0 Won 8 April 1916 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 5-1 Won 15 April 1916 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 5-1 Won 17 April 1916 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1-0 Won th 108 Brigade Machine Gun Company & 23 January 1917 5-1 Won Trench Mortar Battery 29 January 1917 10th Royal Irish Rifles 7-0 Won 10 February 1917 2nd Royal Irish Rifles 2-0 Won 12 February 1917 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 8-0 Won 24 February 1917 8th Royal Irish Rifles 4-5 Lost 25 February 1917 153 Brigade RFA (2nd XI played) 6-0 Won 5 March 1917 108th Field Ambulance 2-2 Drawn 24 March 1917 6th Royal Irish 7-1 Won 28 March 1917 13th Royal Irish Rifles 2-0 Won 21 April 1917 2nd 7-1 Won

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25 April 1917 6th Connaught Rangers 2-0 Won 5 May 1917 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 5-0 Won 10 May 1916 1st Cameronians 2-2 Drawn 12 May 1917 7th/8th Royal Irish Fusiliers 5-0 Won 2 June 1916 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers 2-0 Won 27 June 1917 19th Divisional Artillery 7-2 Won 2 July 1917 12th Royal Irish Rifles 2-1 Won 15 July 1917 55th Squadron RFC 3-0 Won 17 July 1917 An unknown RFC squadron 8-1 Won 16 September 1917 13th Royal Irish Rifles 6-0 Won 19 September 1917 108th Brigade Team 2-1 Won 26 September 1917 2nd North Irish Horse draft 2-1 Won 30 September 1917 2nd North Irish Horse draft 2-1 Won 3 October 1917 108th Field Ambulance 1-1 Drawn 18 October 1917 8th/9th Royal Irish Rifles 0-1 Lost 22 October 1917 108th Brigade Team 8-1 Won 27 January 1918 16th Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) 5-1 Won 3 May 1918 Belgian Team 4-0 Won 27 June 1918 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers Result not known 24 September 1918 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers Result not known 29 November 1918 12th Royal Irish Rifles 2-2 Drawn 1 December 1918 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers 6-0 Won 3 December 1918 108th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery 9-1 Won 5 December 1918 12th Royal Irish Rifles 0-0 Drawn 15 December 1918 108th Brigade Team 3-1 Won

Results Summary

Played 41 Won 31 Lost 2 Drawn 6 Result not known 2 Goals For 146 Goals Against 29

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The football team on 1 December 1918 at Mouscron. This photograph was taken before the match against the 1st Battalion, which the 9th won 6-0. Sergeant F S Homersham DCM, MM* is standing second from the left.

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Tug of War

This photograph was found amongst some papers belonging to the daughter of Sergeant William Neill DCM. It shows the Tug of War Team of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers—36th (Ulster) Division Champions in 1918. The presence of Lieutenant Morrow indicates that the photograph was taken some time after April 1918.

Back Row from Left: 14681 Lance Corporal William Sloan (Scarva), 16140 Private William Vance (Monaghan), 41299 Private Isaac Walker (Portadown), 14423 Private James Leeman (Armagh), 14246 Private James Hall (Lurgan), 14427 Private Albert Lindsay (Portadown). Front Row from Left: 13951 Private John Allen (Markethill), 14577 Sergeant William Neill (Lurgan), Lieutenant James Boyd Kenneth Morrow (Bangor), 14534 Lance Corporal Herbert McLoughlin (Armagh), 18565 Private Albert Moore (Loughgall). Lieutenant Morrow was the Battalion Transport Officer and Sergeant Neill was the Transport Sergeant. Coupled with the presence of so many original volunteers, it makes it probable that the team was made up largely of men of the Battalion Transport.

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Photographs

To show as many men of the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers as possible, these photographs of the men of ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies are larger versions of those shown on Blacker’s Boys page 23. Contributed photographs follow on page 55.

A Company – Photograph 1

A Company – Photograph 2

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A Company – Photograph 3

A Company – Photograph 4

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B Company – Photograph 1

B Company – Photograph 2

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B Company – Photograph 3

B Company – Photograph 4

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13998 Lance Corporal Robert Baird. Killed in action during the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916, aged 41.

41695 Lance Corporal Robert Armstrong DCM. This photograph shows him after the war as a Warrant Officer Class II.

13995 Corporal David Brown. 41474 Private Robert Bickett.

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(From left.) 14030 Richard Burns, killed in action in March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin; 5967 Private Dennis Seeley, 1st and later 5th/6th Royal Irish Fusiliers; and 14019 Private John Brownlee, killed in action during the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916, aged 37.

23439 Corporal Joseph 14074 Private Joseph Chambers. Killed Clarke. Twice wounded; once in action at the Battle of Langemarck in Dublin in April 1916. on 16 August 1917, aged 25.

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45795 Private Clarence Walter 41694 Private Frederick St George Edward Cooke. Killed in action Cooke. Killed in action in the period on 3 October 1918. 11-18 April 1918.

16092 Corporal William Cox. 42513 Private David Currie. Wounded on 1 July 1916. Died of wounds 8 October 1918.

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24019 Private Thomas George Dixon. 14219 Private Robert Garmony. Wounded serving with the 1st Wounded on 1 July 1916. He is Battalion, he contracted a fever wearing his ‘hospital blues’ serving with the 7th/8th Battalion and uniform. having joined the 9th Battalion, he was killed in action on 30 September 1918.

Soldiers in hospital in England 1916. Private Robert Garmony is in the front row sitting fourth from the right.

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This New Testament was carried by Private Bert Gray when he took part in the attack at Hamel on 1 July 1916. He was shot in the arm, the bullet first passing through the bible. He maintained that it had saved his life.

14212 Private Herbert James Gray. Wounded three times.

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14238 Private Robert Grimason. Killed in action on 1 July 1916. 18633 Private McClelland Gilmore. Died of wounds on 28 July 1916.

14326 Private Robert Halligan, wife Mary 14335 Private Thomas William Hogg Halligan. & daughter Eliza Jane (Daisy). Died of Died of wounds on 25 October 1918. pneumonia on 10 December 1916.

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41359 Private George Uriah Johnston. Wounded in 1918.

14353 Private James Jones. Died of wounds on 2 July 1916. His sister Deborah married Thomas Lyness (see next page).

14707 Private David Henry Linton (right) with two other men of the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion in June 1918. Wounded on 1 July 1916. Note the two wound stripes on the sleeve of the man on the left. The soldier is the centre is wearing the ribbon of the Military Medal.

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Private Linton (seated with his cap on his knee) with other wounded men and two nurses at Frensham Hill Military Hospital.

The ‘Drumgor Men of War’. Standing on right: 14419 Private Thomas Lyness. Seated, his brother, Sergeant Archibald Lyness, 16th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles (2nd County Down) (Pioneers). The photograph was taken at Drumgor Lane, Lurgan outside the Lyness’ cottage. The other two men are almost certainly 14494 Private William McKerr (standing left) and 14562 Private John McKerr (centre).

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Above: 18869 Lance Sergeant Henry Makinson. Died of wounds on 11 April 1918. Right: 14561 Private George McCarroll. Below: 14554 Sergeant David Mccullough. Wounded on 1 July 1916. Captured at Erches on 27 March 1918.

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18652 Private Samuel McLean. Killed in action on 1 July 1916.

14501 Private Thomas McKelvey. Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps

41505 Private Randal Edmund McManus. Killed in action in 16124 Lance Corporal Thomas the period 11-18 April 1918. McWilliams. Wounded on 1 July 1916.

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Above: Brothers, 22981 Private Robert Monaghan (left) and 23300 Private William Monaghan. Robert Monaghan was wounded on 1 July 1916 and captured on 27 March 1918 during the retreat from St Quentin. William Monaghan was killed in action at the Battle of Langemarck on 16 August 1917. Below: 41110 Private John Morrison (left) and his brother, Sergeant William James Morrison, a regular soldier who served with the 1st Battalion.

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22942 Corporal John Mulholland (Number unknown) Private John Pentland. Served in Ireland.

17449 Private Robert Roberts. Killed in 14686 Sergeant Alexander Seaton. action on 16 August 1917. Wounded prior to the attack at Hamel.

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Right: 18557 Private Robert Seaton. Wounded twice. Below left: 18240 Colour Sergeant Hugh Curran Selby DCM. He earned his Distinguished Conduct Medal at Vijfwegen on 30 September 1918. Below right: 20034 Private Ferguson Whiteside.

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Acknowledgements

Chris Andrews for the photograph of his relative John Brownlee. Gillian Bleakney, for finding the information about James Stronge. Tina Brown for the details about her grandfather, Frederick St George Cooke. Noel Clark for the correction to the entry of 18862 Private J E Black. Note that Black’s rank is incorrect on page 158. Frank Cooke for the photograph and the information about his uncle, Clarence Cooke. Jim Cornelius for the information about his grandfather Norman White. Karen Cousens for the photograph of Alexander and Robert Seaton. John Cridland for the additional information about H W Seton (his father). Gemma Crutchley for the photograph of her great-great-uncle Randal McManus and the additional information about his brother Harold. Robert Davidson for the additional information about 42513 Private David Currie (his great-uncle). Quincey Dougan for the photograph of McClelland Gilmore and for the information about where he died, and for the photographs of Herbert Gray and his medals & bible, and the photograph of Samuel McClean. Mike Ellis – for the photographs of 14219 Private Robert Garmony (his grandfather). Roisin Fisher for the additional information about 41505 Lance Corporal Randal Edmund McManus (her great, great, great-uncle). Douglas Gillespie, for the additional information about Private G E C Geary, his grandfather. Jackie Glenn for the additional information about 18556 Lance Corporal Samuel Glenn (her husband’s father). Barbara Hadden for the information about the relationship between her grandfather John Neville and Thomas Neville. Francis Heaney and Old Lurgan Photos for the photograph of Lurgan War Memorial. Nigel Henderson for pointing out the errors on the entry for J I Hamilton, for the photograph of J B Young and the additional information about R A Richey, and for a wealth of other odds and ends. Jon Honeysett for the information about his father Private Charles Edward Honeysett. Philip Hutton for the photograph of Joseph Chambers. Mark Linton for the photographs of the men from Bessbrook, the images of the poem by Lance Corporal Fred Woods, the information about, and photographs of, his grandfather David Henry Linton, for the letter that described the incident on 1 July 1916 with Sergeant George Kirkwood, and for the information that allowed the identification of Fred Woods. Jim Madden for pointing out the error regarding Bernard Cunningham’s pre-war service. Peter Magill for the information about his grandfather Thomas McWilliams. Brian McConnell for the information about his grandfather (Corporal Joseph Clarke) and his great-uncle (17928 Private William Clarke).

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Gillian McDowell for the information and photograph of her grandfather John Pentland, and for the news article about the Whiteside brothers, from which the additional information is taken. Jim McIlmurray and Old Lurgan Photos for permission to use photographs from the Jim McIlmurray collection. Ronnie McKeown for the information about his grandfather James McKeown. Stanley McMinn for the photograph of John Dunwoody. Don Monaghan for the additional information and photographs of the Monaghan brothers and for the photograph of Thomas McKelvey. Amanda Moreno for the additional information about John Partridge. Davey Morrison for the information about his grandfather John Morrison. Mike Morrow for the additional information about 41130 Private Robert Edgar Morrow (his grandfather). Douglas Mowbray – for the photographs of the Lyness brothers, 14353 Private James Jones (his grand-uncle) and Hill Street, Lurgan in July 1919. Royal Irish Fusiliers Museum (in particular Jonathan Maguire) for the correspondence relating to the death of Stanley Mellor, the photograph of Robert Armstrong, the photograph of William Cox, for the information about the patrol on 30 September 1918 relating to Collins, Dixon, Jenner, McCausland, Mellor, Neilly & Williams, for the information about 11712 Private H Irwin, and for forwarding various photographs and snippets from the museum’s collection. Hugh Selby for the photograph of his father Hugh Selby. Geoff Simons for the additional information and the photograph of G W Vesey. Phillip Tardif for the information about P M Forsyth-Forrest, for identifying that J B A and J B Young were two separate men, for the information about J B Young, and for the photograph of Robert Bickett. David Taylor for the information about his grandfather, Private J R Taylor. Christine Tyrrell for the information about Edwin Reynolds, and for the information and corrections about John Chambers. Johnston McCullough, the Seaton brothers, Robert Hanna, and William Hanna. Derek Wilson for the service record and additional information about R A Orr (his great- grandfather).

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