mhifle Posted 8 December , 2009 Share Posted 8 December , 2009 Hi, I just came across this in the Irish Times 28 Oct 1914 concerning the Connaught Rangers Depot. Regards Mark 'To The Editor of the Tuam Herald (Irish Times 28 Oct 1914) From August 10 to October 11 – that is two months – 596 men (inclusive of old soldiers re-enlisting) have joined the colours from the counties Galway, Mayo and Sligo – 660 others from other parts of Ireland have passed through. H. Chamier, Colonel Depot, Connaught Rangers It will thus be seen that in two months 596 men went from 3 counties and 660 from other parts, or in all, 1,256 were drafted from the Galway depot for service.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesmessenger Posted 8 December , 2009 Share Posted 8 December , 2009 And during the first four days of mobilisation the Depot processed and sent 621 Reservists to the 2nd Connaught Rangers in Aldershot. Charles M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 8 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 8 December , 2009 Hi, I have been trying to put together a rough history of the Depot from various sources, still a work in progress. Regards Mark Depot In Army Orders of January 1905 the Districts and Depots in Ireland were divided into 2 groups, called ‘North of Ireland’ and ‘South of Ireland. The Depot at Galway was included in the South of Ireland District, under Brigadier General L G Brooke, CB, who commanded the 88th Regimental District at Galway. The Record Office was removed to Cork Jan 1905 The Depot dealt with all things Regimental, and was its home and base and looking after the Colours and Regimental Silver. The Depot did the recruiting and basic training of men before draft to Regular and Special Reserve battalions, the discharge of Regular soldiers to pension or the reserve and the administration of invalids and medical discharges went through the Depot. The co-ordination and control of the Regular Reserves including mobilization, administration, payment, clothing, arming, yearly training and discharge took place at the Depot. Army List Jan 1906 Serving at Depot, Galway Major H D Chamier 1st Bn Captain A L Keogh 2nd Bn Lieutenant O F Lloyd 1st Bn Lieutenant A H B Wright 2nd Bn Major Herbert Gore from the 1st Battalion took command of the Depot from Major Henry Deschamps Chamier who became the 2nd in command of the 1st Battalion 29 Nov 1905 Major George Lamont Hobbs from the 1st Battalion took command of the Depot from Major H Gore who retired from service 16 Feb 1907 Captain Henry Francis Newdigate Jourdain became Adjutant of The Depot and the 4th Battalion 20 Sept 1907 He was visited by the Commander of the Grouped Regimental District and told that they needed better results in the recruiting and the Militia needed to be reorganised. 45 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 14 March 1908 25 Line Recruits sent to the 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 19 June 1908 17 Line Recruits sent to the 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 17 July 1908 The Depot Adjutant Captain H F N Jourdain left The Depot for duty with the 3rd Battalion 1 Aug 1908 29 Line Recruits and 2 Duty Men sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 25 Sept 1908 5134 Sergeant Joseph Ganly posted from 1st Battalion to the Home Establishment, Depot Galway 23 Oct 1908 30 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 24 Oct 1908 30 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 14 Nov 1908 29 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 9 Dec 1908 During the winter of 1908-9 recruiting continued to be very good for the Special Reserve. Major William Stopford Sarsfield Adjutant 4th Battalion The Connaught Rangers. took over command of the Depot from Major G L Hobbs who proceeded to join the 1st Battalion in India18 Jan 1909 20 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 3 March 1909 5134 Sergeant Joseph Ganly posted as part of the Permanent Establishment to the 4th Battalion 4 March 1909 22 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 19 May 1909 3rd Battalion had 26 Recruits at the Depot 26 June 1909 3rd Battalion had 22 Recruits at the Depot 19 July 1909 Irish Command Order ‘Recruiting for The Connaught Rangers is to cease in the command, except in the 88th Recruiting Area.’ 9 Sept 1909 46 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 10 Sept 1909 Supplemental Irish Command Order ‘Recruiting for The Connaught Rangers is now confined to their own Special Reserve only.’ 4 Oct 1909 There were 91 Line Recruits at the Depot at this time. 4 Oct 1909 27 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 11 Dec 1909 26 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 15 Jan 1910 Major William Stopford Sarsfield took over command of the Depot viz Major G L Hobbs who joined the 1st Battalion in India18 Jan 1909 Recruiting opened in No.11 District, the standard height being 5ft 3’’ and upwards 17 March 1910 11 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 21 June 1910 3rd Battalion had 52 Recruits at the Depot 22 July 1910 Whole of the Depot under Major Sarsfield proceeded with their fire engine 5 miles to fight a fire at Menlough House. Six lines were played onto the fire and the soldiers worked hard but their efforts were futile and the House burned down and Miss Eleanor Camilla Eliza Blake and and two servants were killed 26 July 1910 6 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 29 July 1910 6 recruits of 4th Battalion (Special Reserve), The Connaught Rangers had undergone recruits' drill at the depot Galway that year by 3 Oct 1910 15 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 1 March 1911 64 recruits of 4th Battalion (Special Reserve), The Connaught Rangers had undergone recruits' drill at the depot Galway that year by 31 March 1911 Census taken 2/3 April 1911 Names in italics are not on the Census Form. Names in Normal font but without a number are on the Census but I have not identified a regimental number yet. DEPOT STAFF Captain C F W Faithorne 31 Church of England, England, (Regular Establishment) Captain Henry F N Jourdain, Adjutant, England (Regular Establishment) 1000 Sergeant John Farrell 46 Church of England, 28 Aug 1915 KIA 5Bn 3052 Sergeant Major Charles Frier Dryden 39 (Hon Lieut & Quarter Master 1st Bn 1913) 3270 Colour Sergeant Michael Murtagh 44 Roman Catholic, 3CR 3771 Sergeant Louis Roche 40 Roman Catholic, 4273 Quarter Master Sergeant W H Dryden 37 Church of England, 4458 Sergeant William Clarke (Instructor of Gymnastics) 35 Roman Catholic, 4552 Colour Sergeant Charles Wilson 39 Roman Catholic England, 4946 Sergeant Michael Considine 36 Roman Catholic, 21 Mar 1918 KIA 6Bn 5003 Colour Sergeant Henry Thomas Stevens 33 C of E, England, 5246 Colour Sergeant William John Smith 34 Roman Catholic, Malta, 5455 Sergeant Denis Mack 34 Roman Catholic, 5959 Colour Sergeant Arthur R Piper 33 Church of England, Colour Sergeant John Lloyd (Orderly Room Sergeant) 36 C of E, 3CR 6476 Sergeant Alfred Stokes 31 Roman Catholic, Sergeant Michael McDonagh 28 Roman Catholic, 5940 Lance Sergeant Charles Browne 35 Church of England, 6090 Lance Sergeant James Merchant 32 Roman Catholic, 6610 Corporal P Byrne 30 Roman Catholic, 6679 Corporal John Wilson 27 Roman Catholic, 6912 Corporal Patrick Murphy 28 Roman Catholic, 20 Nov 1917 KIA 6Bn 6933 Corporal Joseph Peden 30 Roman Catholic England, 7523 Corporal Michael O’Gorman 26 Roman Catholic, 7881 Corporal Robert Moon 20 Roman Catholic, 8545 Corporal Patrick Danagher 24 Roman Catholic, 23 Aug 1915 DOW 5Bn 9386 Corporal John McGuirk 21 Roman Catholic, 9635 Corporal John J O'Hara 23 Roman Catholic London, England, 2639 Lance Corporal P McDonagh 45 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3343 Lance Corporal Kieran Corrigan 40 Roman Catholic, 3634 Lance Corporal William Fox 39 Roman Catholic, 3871 Lance Corporal Michael White 39 Roman Catholic, 4846 Lance Corporal Bernard Flanagan 33 Roman Catholic, 5405 Lance Corporal Thomas Kirlan 34 Roman Catholic, 6091 Lance Corporal Daniel Fogarty 32 Roman Catholic, 7433 Lance Corporal James Moynes 25 Roman Catholic, Lance Corporal Henry Hanley 33 Roman Catholic, 9108 Drummer Charles Belsham 32 Roman Catholic England, 9110 Drummer George Evans 25 Church of England England, 9139 Drummer Michael Fanneran 20 Roman Catholic, 1872 Private Patrick Flynn 42 Roman Catholic, 3972 Private Daniel Kavanagh 38 Roman Catholic, 4083 Private James Trotter 38 Roman Catholic, 4309 Private John Walsh 36 Roman Catholic, 7 Dec 1915 KIA 5Bn 4824 Private Patrick Gibbons 33 Roman Catholic, 4849 Private John McDonough 36 Roman Catholic, 5036 Private Terence Tighe 32 Roman Catholic, 26 Apr 1915 KIA 1Cn 5240 Private Dennis Hackett 35 Roman Catholic, 5415 Private Thomas Lawton 34 Roman Catholic, 5628 Private Patrick Canavan 32 Roman Catholic, 5804 Private William Whewell 28 Roman Catholic, India, 12 Nov 1914 DOW 1Bn 5878 Private William Donovan 32 Roman Catholic, 5911 Private Alexander Elligott 34 Roman Catholic, 5954 Private John Kennedy 27 Roman Catholic, 6060 Private Patrick Joseph Casey 28 Roman Catholic, 6089 Private James McNamara 31 Church of England, 6384 Private James Kelly 28 Roman Catholic, 20 Aug 1914 Died 1Bn 6422 Private Joseph Glavey 36 Roman Catholic, Read only, 6434 Private Michael Beirne 28 Roman Catholic, 6464 Private John Fleming 28 Roman Catholic, 6632 Private James Doyle 35 Roman Catholic, 6653 Private F Murphy 29 Roman Catholic, 6685 Private William Hall (Servant to Captain Jourdain) 30 Roman Catholic England, 6747 Private Edward McFadden 27 Roman Catholic, 6771 Private W Curley 32 Church of England England, 7005 Private John Healy 27 Roman Catholic, 7378 Private (Drummer) Thomas Nolan 28 Roman Catholic, 7421 Private Robert William Cattley 40 Methodist (Wesleyan) England, 7417 Private Patrick Caffrey 27 Roman Catholic, 7605 Private Patrick Healy 30 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 7767 Private Peter Thompson 24 Roman Catholic, 8884 Private James Welply 27 Church of England, 12 Apr 1915 DOW 1Bn 8922 Private John Monk 22 Church of England, England 9687 Private T Flynn 23 Roman Catholic, Private Bernard Kilroy 34 Roman Catholic, 7 Dec 1915 KIA 5Bn Private T Riordan 32 Roman Catholic, Private M Quinlan 35 Roman Catholic, Private P Kilkenny 35 Roman Catholic Irish&English, RECRUITS FOR THE LINE 10019 Private J Rooney 10020 Private W Halpin missing 5th Bn Dec 1915 10031 Private P Finnerty 10032 Private T Murphy missing 5th Bn Dec 1915 ex 3rd Bn 10036 Private J Campbell 10041 Private Thomas Garry, Curragh 10050 Private John Linehan 10052 Private William Dillon KIA 26 Apr 1916, Canada 10053 Private A H Woodward POW 10058 Private W Loveless 10059 Private Michael Whiston 10060 Private John Linehan 10068 Private John Joseph Pallas 10070 Private W Kenny, missing then KIA 23 Nov 1914 Cpl 10071 Private David Bernec (Berney), KIA 23 Nov 1914 Cpl 10073 Private T Allen, KIA 28 Dec 1914 Driver 10075 Private Robert Leonard Morton 10078 Private Martin Murray 10079 Private Patrick Smith (Smyth) wounded 18 Nov 1914, died GSW from a stray shot during mutiny at Solon India 1 July 1920 he was not taking part in the mutiny 10081 Private Michael Garvey 10082 Private John O’Rourke 10083 Private Martin Craddock 10084 Private P Coyle, wounded 25 May 1915 10085 Private John McLachlan KIA 11 March 1916 10087 Private James Campbell 10091 Private John Irons 10092 Private Patrick Morris, 7 March 1911 posted 2nd Bn KIA 7 Dec 1915 10094 Private William Morrissey 21 Roman Catholic, 10095 Private Bernard Flanagan, enlisted Glasgow, Curragh 10097 Private John Kelly, wounded 11 Nov 1914 10098 Private James Reedy 20 Roman Catholic, 10100 Private Daniel Callaghan 10101 Private George Sherlock 10102 Private Arthur James Smith 19 C of E, London, England, (POW) 10103 Private William O'Connor 18 Roman Catholic, 10104 Private Herbert Keegan 10105 Private James Nimino (Nimmo), enlisted Glasgow, Curragh 10106 Private James Kearney 18 Roman Catholic, 13 Mar 1915 DOW 1Bn 10107 Private Patrick Stewart 23 Roman Catholic, wounded May 1915 10108 Private John Reilly 18 Roman Catholic, 10109 Private Anthony Holian 10110 Private Hubert Dawson 20 Roman Catholic, 10111 Private James Burke (Bourke), 18 Roman Catholic, 18 Nov 1914 DOW 2Bn 10112 Private Patrick (Martin) Ward 18 Roman Catholic, 17 Jan 1917 DOW 1Bn 10113 Private John Joseph Wyley kia 28 Aug 1914 L/Cpl 10114 Private Harry Minsk 18, Jewish, London, England 23 Nov 1914 DOW 1Bn 10115 Private Michael Shaughnessy 10117 Private John Hayes 10118 Private John Cassidy 22 Roman Catholic, Wounded 15 May 1915 10120 Private Michael Connors 17 Roman Catholic, (POW) 10121 Private Thomas Regan 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 10123 Private John Daly POW 10124 Private Thomas Green wounded apr/may15 2nd bn 10125 Private Michael Flannery 10126 Private Joseph Hall 10127 Private Thomas Cole 18 Roman Catholic 10129 Private Albert Arthur James 10130 Private James Palmer, 18 Roman Catholic, 10131 Private Michael Reilly 10132 Private Joseph Martin 10134 Private John Meenaghan 10135 Private Thomas Lennon 10136 Private Thomas Donohoe (Donoghue), wounded 25 may 1915 10137 Private James Lavin 10138 Private George Forster 17 Roman Catholic, 23 Nov 1914 KIA 1Bn 10139 Private John Gill 18 Roman Catholic, 10140 Private Thomas A Sutton 18 Church of England, 10141 Private James McConville 17 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 10142 Private Patrick Docherty 21 RC Irish&Eng, reported MIA, 23 Nov 1914 KIA 1Bn 10143 Private Patrick Murphy 10144 Private William Gallagher 10145 Private John Patrick Hughes 20 Roman Catholic, 10146 Private John Mullany 18 Roman Catholic, POW 10147 Private Hugh Hannawin 18 Roman Catholic, 10148 Private Patrick Murphy 10149 Private John Murphy 10150 Private John Melville (Melvin) 10151 Private Michael Gilligan 16 oct 1914 in Orleans Paris with bronchitis 10152 Private Michael Brennan KIA 2 May 1916 10153 Private Christopher Maxwell 10154 Private George Fraser Gamble 10156 Private Patrick P Whelan KIA 18 Apr 1916 10156 Private Patrick Callaghan 18 Roman Catholic, 10158 Private John Millor 18 Church of England, 10160 Private Patrick Lynch 10161 Private Patrick Henry 10164 Private William Kennedy 18 Roman Catholic, 21 Jan 1916 KIA 1Bn 10167 Private Joseph Kelly 10168 Private James Brien (Brian) wounded 25 may 1915 10170 Private James Tierney 10172 Private Martin Monaghan 10175 Private Donald Murphy 18 Roman Catholic, 21 Jan 1916 KIA 1Bn 10176 Private Patrick Price 10177 Private Patrick Padden 10179 Private Laurence Clinton 10180 Private Roger Fallon 18 Roman Catholic, 10181 Private James Halligan 10182 Private Patrick Clarke 10183 Private W Nagle 23 Nov 1914 KIA Cpl 10184 Private James Lawrence O’Connor 10185 Private Robert Scott deserted June 1911 10186 Private William Glance (Glancey) 10187 Private Cornelius Corkery KIA 23 Nov 1914 10188 Private William Cremen wounded 25 May 1915 10190 Private George H Kennedy POW 10191 Private Herbert P Walsh 10192 Private Michael McHale 24 Roman Catholic, 21 Jan 1916 KIA 1Bn 10194 Private Arthur Clarkson KIA 12 Nov 1914 SPECIAL RESERVE RECRUITS 3rd BATTALION 3696 Private Dennis Connelly 17 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 3771 Private Patrick Meenaghan 3778 Private James Reilly 17 Roman Catholic, 3794 Private Peter Cummins 18 Roman Catholic, 3799 Private John Buckley 18 Roman Catholic, 3801 Private Michael Shaughnessy 3803 Private Christopher Donelan 18 Roman Catholic, 3804 Private Patrick Brennan 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3810 Private W Hayes missing 5th Bn Dec 1915 3811 Private John Kennedy 3814 Private Patrick Hopkins 19 Roman Catholic, 3816 Private Michael Kenny 17 Roman Catholic, 3816 Private Patrick Murphy 3817 Private Michael Kenny 3818 Private Timothy Cawley (Cauley) 18 Roman Catholic, 1 Jun 1915 KIA 1Bn 3819 Private Michael Ward 18 Roman Catholic, 10 Nov 1914 DOW 1Bn 3820 Private James McNally 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3821 Private Luke Maloy 19 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 3824 Private John Deighnan (Deignan) wounded 25 May 1915 3825 Private Michael Noone 3828 Private William Bowes 23 Roman Catholic, (POW) 3831 Private James Sweeney 18 Roman Catholic, 3837 Private Michael Breen 16 Roman Catholic, 3838 Private Thomas Silke 18 Roman Catholic, 3843 Private Martin McMahon 22 Roman Catholic, 3845 Private Michael Dever 17 Roman Catholic, 19 Apr 1916 KIA 1Bn 3846 Private John Ward 18 Roman Catholic, 3848 Private Patrick Callaghan 3851 Private James Frain 17 Roman Catholic, 26 Apr 1915 KIA 2Bn 3854 Private Peter Gallacher 22 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 3855 Private John Brady 17 Roman Catholic England, 3856 Private Michael O'Malley 22 Roman Catholic, 3858 Private Peter Greene 17 Roman Catholic, Irish&English, 3859 Private John Joseph Furey 17 Roman Catholic, 3860 Private John Kelly 17 Roman Catholic, 3862 Private P Conroy wounded 25 May 1915 3866 Private John Griffin 20 Roman Catholic 28 Dec 1914 KIA 7 Nov 1914 3868 Private Martin Keneavy 18 Roman Catholic, 7 Dec 1915 KIA 5Bn 3872 Private Michael Caffery 21 Roman Catholic, 8 Nov 1914 KIA 2Bn 3875 Private Martin Folan 25 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, missing 5thBn Dec 1915 3876 Private John Joyce 17 Roman Catholic, 3877 Private Patrick Mitchell 17 Roman Catholic, 14 Mar 1915 KIA 2Bn 3882 Private Robert Walsh 17 Roman Catholic, 3885 Private John Gavaghan 19 Roman Catholic, 3886 Private Michael O’Mally 3889 Private Edward Boyle 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 26 Apr 1915 KIA 1Bn 3894 Private Michael Keogh KIA 28 Dec 1914 2nd Bn 2 Nov 1914 3895 Private John Murray 3898 Private Daniel Craughwell 3901 Private Michael Skeffington DOW 3902 Private Edward Lally KAI 7 Nov 1914 3903 Private David Roland KIA 23 Nov 1914 3919 Private Thomas Murphy 3920 Private James Noone 17 Roman Catholic Cannot Read 3938 Private Michael Whelan 3947 Private Joseph Forde 18 Roman Catholic, 3962 Private Anthony Hoilan 18 Roman Catholic, 4th BATTALION 4202 Private Michael Bierne kia 29 Oct 1914 2nd Bn 4204 Private Thomas Reilly dow 7 March 1917 6th Bn, Cpl 4205 Private Joseph Kelly 4206 Lance Corporal Patrick Stokes 20 Roman Catholic, 4213 Private James Reilly wounded apr/may 1915 2nd bn 4217 Private John McDonagh 18 Roman Catholic, 4218 Private Martin Craddock 4220 Private Benjamin Whittaker 4221 Private Martin Noone 17 Roman Catholic, 4226 Private Patrick Farrell 4232 Private James Gallagher 4238 Private William Scanlon 4240 Private John Gettings 4243 Private Michael Murren POW 4244 Private James Farrell 4245 Private John Monaghan 4246 Private James Timbs 4247 Private William O'Sullivan 19 Roman Catholic, 4255 Private William Grey (Gray) 4258 Private Joseph Feeley 4261 Private Michael McSherry 4262 Private John Duignan 19 Roman Catholic, 4266 Private John Hanley ‘H Coy’ 4268 Private Daniel O’Hare 4283 Private John Holiandow 2 Nov 1914 2nd Bn 4287 Private Michael Colreavy 4290 Private Dennis Ward 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 4299 Private Luke Gilligan 4308 Private Michael Ward 18 Roman Catholic 4312 Private Martin Kelly kia 3 Nov 1914 2nd Bn 4335 Private Thomas Burlace died 9 Dec 1914 2nd Bn 4346 Private Patrick Hoare (Hoar) kia 26 April 1915 1st Bn 4379 Private William Lally 4392 Private Thomas Mills dow 30 Oct 19142nd Bn 4444 Private Patrick Kielty 4475 Private Michael Connelly (Connel) 19 kia 8 Nov 1914 2ndBn RECRUITS Private Jacob Annenberg 19 Jewish England, Yorkshire Private Francis Bennett 19 Roman Catholic Private G Boyde 18 Roman Catholic, Private William Clossick 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private S Duffy 20 Roman Catholic, Private H Durkin 19 Roman Catholic, Private Andrew Fallon 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private M Finlay 19 Roman Catholic, Private J Freyne 19 Roman Catholic, Private P Gower 19 Roman Catholic, Private W Howard 18 Roman Catholic, Private F Hurley 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private M Kinsley 20 Roman Catholic, Private G Lynch 22 Roman Catholic, Private P Mackessy 18 Roman Catholic, Private R Moore 17 Roman Catholic, Private H Morgan 19 Roman Catholic, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Private F Pender 17 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private W Smith 20 Church of England, England, Private J Thompson 16 Roman Catholic, Private G Walton -----Crossed Out-----, 12 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 29 May 1911 Army List July 1911 Depot, Galway Major W S Sarsfield 2nd Bn Captain J C MacSwiney 2nd Bn Captain O F Lloyd 2nd Bn Lieutenant T B G F Eames 1st Bn 3rd Battalion had 3 Officers and 21 Recruits at the Depot 12 July 1911 6069 Colour Sergeant John Martin Swords attached to the 3rd Battalion for a tour of duty from the Depot 7 Oct 1911 12 Officers and 258 N.C.O.’s and Men from the 2nd Battalion, under the command of Colonel Heneker, DSO, ADC, arrived to deposit the 1862-1911 Colours in Renmore Roman Catholic Chapel 28 Nov 1911 The Colours were formally handed over to Major Sarsfield, Commanding the Depot, who then asked Revd. Father Newall to accept them and place them on the walls of the Regimental Chapel. (This stand of Colours was surreptitiously removed, together with a stand of Colours of the 4th Battalion, one night in 1916 by persons unknown, and no trace of them has since been obtained) Lieutenant G C de Stacpoole joined the Class of Instruction which assembled at the Regimental Depot on 9 April 1912 17 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 22 April 1912 2nd Lieutenant F D Foott from 3rd Battalion to Regimental Depot from 27 May 1912 to 23 June 1912 for Recruits course of musketry Recruits course of musketry starts 27 May 1912 Recruits course of musketry ends 23 June 1912 47 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 26 June 1912 3rd Battalion had 17 Recruits at the Depot 15 July 1912 3rd Battalion had based at the Depot in Regimental Employment from the Permanent and Regular Establishment: 2 Officers, 12 N.C.O.’s, 2 Drummers, and 32 Privates 15 July 1912 The Times ‘Our Dublin Correspondent telegraphs that a good deal of resentment is felt in Galway at the refusal of Dr. O'Dea, the Roman Catholic Bishop of the diocese, to allow the acting chaplain to the troops in the district to take part in the ceremony of receiving the old colours of the 4th Battalion Connaught Rangers and depositing them in the regimental chapel at Renmore. Last November the old colours of the 2nd Battalion of the same regiment were placed in the chapel and were accepted by the chaplain, Father Newell. The ceremony of depositing the colours of the 4th Battalion was to have taken place yesterday, but had to be postponed because the Bishop had informed the chaplain that he had to refuse to give his sanction to his taking part in the ceremony. It is said that the ground of Dr. O'Dea's objection is that he sees no reason why such flags should be deposited in a place of worship and he considers a museum a more suitable place.’ 26 July 1912 The Times ‘As regards the alleged refusal of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Galway to allow the old colours of the 4th Battalion of the Connaught Rangers to be deposited in the military chapel at Renmore, Galway, on Thursday, it is reported that Father Newell, the military chaplain, and Father Monaghan attended at Renmore Barracks on Friday and expressed their willingness to receive the colours at any time that it was convenient for the regiment to attend, As all the arrangements had been cancelled on Thursday evening the chaplain and Major Sarsfield, the officer commanding at Galway, drove to Oranmore camp, where they saw Colonel Hammond, C B who, it is said, declined again to arrange for the ceremony after what had occurred.’ ‘The Freeman's Journal stated that the Bishop, when shown a newspaper cutting of his alleged refusal to allow the colours to be deposited in Renmore chapel, said that the facts were wholly misrepresented in the paragraph. When the request was made to him that the colours should be deposited in the military chapel at Renmore he asked that this request should not be pressed on the ground that only sacred objects could fittingly be deposited in the House of God. Ultimately he allowed the chaplain to act on his own responsibility in the matter, and it was acting on his own responsibility that Father Newell went to Renmore barracks. When the colours of another battalion of the regiment were deposited in Renmore barracks six months ago Dr. O'Dea was in Rome, and was not consulted on the subject. A newspaper correspondent who saw Major Sarsfield on Saturday says that that officer stated that the report of the matter which appeared in Friday morning's newspapers was correct. Colonel Hammond also stated that the report was in no way exaggerated.’ 28 July 1912 Major H F N Jourdain takes command of the Depot from Major W S Sarsfield who joined the 2nd Battalion 23 Feb 1913 He was instructed to by the Commander of the District that he was to improve the recruiting for both the Line and for the Special Reserve. Also to reorganize the mobilization at once, as time was urgent Recruiting was pushed forward and rose higher every quarter along with musketry. 3rd Battalion had 12 Recruits at the Depot 24 July 1913 25 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 31 Oct 1913 During 1913 86% of recruits were obtaining a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Class Certificate in Education the highest average for any Depot in the United Kingdom Major H F N Jourdain obtained the services of a retired Colour Sergeant in the Orderly Room to act as Orderly Room Sergeant on mobilization and a retired Quarter Master Sergeant to act as in charge of the Stores on mobilization during 1913 3rd Battalion had 22 Recruits at the Depot 8 July 1914 Staff at Depot made ready for any declaration of war but little work could be done it being a Bank Holiday 3 Aug 1914 Depot Officers remained at Renmore Barracks all Day, despite the Galway Races being on. Orders for ‘General Mobilization’ received during the evening 4 August 1914 Order received at the Depot at 6.53pm for mobilization of the Army 4 Aug 1914 An orderly ran from the Barrack gate with a telegram for Major Jourdain who was walking with another officer down to Cromwell’s Fort. 4 Aug 1914 “Commanding Depot, Galway General Mobilization Ordered” Major H F N Jourdain went directly to the Orderly Room and unlocked the safe and sent out the telegrams throughout the Province of Connaught ordering mobilization. Several men reported to Depot the evening 4 Aug 1914 British army reservists in town of Ballina had already received the call up and on Wednesday, August 4th "over a dozen reservists, looking proud and fearless, but not a little unnerved by the warmth of the demonstration" to the Railway Station, headed by the two local bands, the Hibernians and the Foresters. The following morning there was a similar send-off for a further batch of reservists. Lieutenant J I Fraser and 2nd Lieutenant F M S Gibson and the Colour Party arrived with the Colours of the 2nd Battalion and handed over the Colours for safe keeping to the Officer Commanding the Depot 6 Aug 1914 Lieutenant J I Fraser and 2nd Lieutenant F M S Gibson proceeded to Aldershot with the first draft of Reservists for the 2nd Battalion 6 Aug 1914 On mobilization the 3rd Reserve Battalion moved away from the depot to its war station and took with it its administration and the depot training cadre to provide men replacing the wastage of the regular battalions. The depot expanded its recruiting efforts and manpower control, receiving all recruits for initial administration and providing drafts to the Special Reserve Battalion and the newly formed Service Battalions. Details to be left at Depot on mobilization 1 Special Reserve Lieutenant Orderly Room Clerk ex regular soldier 2 Sergeants for recruiting duties 2 Drummers Details Required from Regular Reserve to complete Depot on mobilization 1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Major 1 Acting Quarter Master Sergeant 1 Colour Sergeant 2 Sergeants 4 Corporals 20 Privates 621 Reservists had been sent via the Depot to 2nd Battalion at Aldershot since mobilization to 7 Aug 1914 236 Other Rank Reservists sent via The Depot to 2nd Battalion 8 Aug 1914 The majority of men who had seen 3 years continuos service in the South Africa were sent to the 2nd Battalion at Aldershot Colonel H D Chamier (retired pay – late Connaught Rangers) took over command of the Depot from Major H F N Jourdain who was appointed to the command of the 5th (Service) Battalion, and was granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel 8 Aug 1914 3rd Battalion mobilized and proceeded to Crosshaven Co. Cork, leaving at details necessary for duties at the Depot 8 Aug 1914 Major H F N Jourdain handed over command of 3rd Battalion to Lieutenant Colonel A C Lewin, DSO, 8 Aug 1914 48 Other Rank Reservists sent to 2nd Battalion 9 Aug 1914 A draft of 109 N.C.O.’s and men under Lieutenant S H Lewis sent to 5th Battalion at Dublin 28 Aug 1914 2nd Battalion reports its mobilization as complete at Aldershot 13 Aug 1914 Recruiting had not been quite so good after the mobilization of the Line and Special Reserve, so Major H F N Jourdain hired a car and got a poster printed up and toured all the chief cities and towns of the Province of Connaught and got hundreds to enlist during two days. He found the Depot besieged by recruits. 2 N.C.O.’s and 107 men sent to the 5th Battalion at Richmond Barracks, Dublin under the command of Captain H J Nolan-Ferrall, who then returned to the Depot on completion of this duty 31 Aug 1914 Men who had completed their reserve service tended to be sent to the 5th Battalion and were very useful in building up the new battalion. A draft of 67 N.C.O.’s and men sent to the 5th Battalion 2 Sept 1914 A draft of 57 N.C.O.’s and Men posted to B and C Companies of the 5th Battalion 4 Sept 1914 Captain Henry James Nolan-Ferrall posted from Depot to 5th Battalion 4 Sept 1914 A draft of 50 N.C.O.’s and Men posted to B and C Companies of the 5th Battalion 5 Sept 1914 Lieutenant Godfrey James Bertie Eyre Massy and 94 N.C.O.,s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 7 Sept 1914 A draft of 25 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to the 5th Battalion 8 Sept 1914 Included 5/354 Private John Moynihan 2 drafts of 137 & 47 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion at Kilworth Camp 11 Sept 1914 A draft of 51 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion at Dublin 14 Sept 1914 Major George Cuthbert Digan joined Depot for duty from 5th Battalion 16 Sept 1914 A draft of 70 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion at Kilworth Camp 14 Sept 1914 A draft of 38 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 18 Sept 1914 A draft of 15 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 21 Sept 1914 A draft of 19 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 23 Sept 1914 A draft of 22 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to ‘A’ Company, 6th Battalion 24 Sept 1914 8377 Private William Grogan posted to 3rd Battalion form Depot 1 Oct 1914 8250 Private Albert Edwin Flack posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 10 Oct 1914 On October 17th three members of the Ballina Post Office staff left town to serve as field telegraphists with the British Expeditionary force in France, Messrs. McGarry, Mulligan and Phillips. 3/4506 Private James Trotter assigned to the Depot, Galway 18 Oct 1914 Major Herbert Gore (Reserve of Officers, Late 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers) posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion. He had been on duty service with the Depot since the mobilization 27 Oct 1914 'To The Editor of the Tuam Herald (Irish Times 28 Oct 1914) From August 10 to October 11 – that is two months – 596 men (inclusive of old soldiers re-enlisting) have joined the colours from the counties Galway, Mayo and Sligo – 660 others from other parts of Ireland have passed through. H. Chamier, Colonel Depot, Connaught Rangers Lieutenant Arthur Anderson 1st Battalion, The Connaught Rangers arrived at the 3rd Battalion from the Depot where he had been on duty 3 Nov 1914 First draft of 25 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion at Dublin 7 Nov 1914 A draft of 32 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 9 Nov 1914 A draft of 7 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 16 Nov 1914 A draft of 1 Recruit sent to 5th Battalion 21 Nov 1914 4195 Private Joseph Flaherty posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 24 Nov 1914 He had returned from the 2nd Battalion 8 Oct 1914 A draft of 60 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 27 Nov 1914 The Commanding Office 5th Battalion was empowered to make arrangements with the Officer Commanding The Depot to make up deficiency in numbers of the battalion at once 2 Dec 1914 6679 Lance Corporal John Wilson posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 12 Dec 1914 A draft of 17 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 21 Dec 1914 Captain Sir A Armstrong joined The Depot for duty from 5th Battalion 7 Jan 1915 A draft of 13 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 12 Feb 1915 A draft of 50 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 15 Feb 1915 10334 Private John Fitzgerald posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 18 Feb 1915 6757 Sergeant John McIlwain posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 18 Feb 1915 A draft of 39 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 19 Feb 1915 A draft of 22 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 24 Feb 1915 8722 Private Francis Brady posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 27 Feb 1915 As the war went on the functions of the depot continued, administering and controlling the regiment. The Battalions used the depot as a focal point. The administration of invalids, medical and convalescents and the control of recruiting would have remained with the depot during the war. The Depot would also have administered the movement of troops between the various Regular, Service and Reserve Battalions. 4863 Private Myles Agnew based at the Depot died 4 April 1915 10261 Private John Joseph Furey posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 17 May 1915 6060 Lance Corporal Patrick Joseph Casey posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 16 July 1915 4187 Private Thomas Higgins posted to 3rd Battalion, ‘L’ Company from the Depot, Galway 21 Sept 1915 3/6163 Private Michael Gavin posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 6 Nov 1915 Hansard 21 December 1915 Mr. GINNELL Asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will now state the total cost of the twenty-four men of the Connaught Rangers, with seven motor cars, in their last recruiting tour in county Leitrim, from the 20th to the 29th November, inclusive, with the net result of one recruit; whether Recruiting Lieutenant O'Donnell spoke at all their meetings; and will he say how many military officers are now so employed in Ireland? The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant) Since I answered the question put by the hon. Gentleman on Wednesday last, although I have not had the opportunity or privilege of visiting county Leitrim, I have ascertained that the recruiting tour in question was the means of bringing in a large number of recruits. It was efficiently conducted by Colonel Harrison, Major Murphy, and Captain O'Donnell. I am informed that they were well received and hospitably treated in all the towns they visited, and that the presence of Lieutenant Mike O'Leary, V.C., was a source of great gratification to all the audiences addressed. As I have previously indicated, I do not know the total cost of the tour, but as a considerable number of the motor cars used were lent free of charge by local gentlemen, the cost of the tour was insignificant in proportion to the results obtained. My information is that every incident connected with the tour reflected great credit on the people of North Leitrim. Mr. GINNELL Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether all these decoy military officers are equally inefficient? Mr. TENNANT It would not do for me to make comparison between individuals in the Army, but I may say that all these gentlemen have acted admirably and the results have been most successful. Mr. F. E. MEEHAN Has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiries as to the source from which these questions have been asked? Is he aware that it is a small section of Sinn Feiners who have made a cats paw of my hon. Friend, for the purpose of retarding recruiting in the county? Mr. TENNANT It has been my privilege to see hon. Gentlemen representing Ireland in that quarter of the House in many capacities, but not previously in that of a catspaw. I have other duties to perform than making inquiries of the nature suggested. 3255 Private Michael Ryan posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 15 Jan 1916 5959 Company Sergeant Major Arthur Piper posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 4 Feb 1916 He previously had served with the 1st Battalion in France until wounded. Gun Shot Wound to the Abdomen 12 Sept 1915 and invalided home 25 Sept 1915 3/7235 Private Francis Murphy posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion at Kinsale 5 Feb 1916 3/7235 Private Francis Murphy declared illegally absent 5 Feb 1916 A Sunday recruiting meeting was held at Moycullen, County Galway, and the band of the Connaught Rangers was in attendance. A body of about 60 Sinn Fein Volunteers interrupted the meeting, and, though warned more than once by the few policemen who were present, insisted on marching through it. 27 Feb 1916 5/1301 Sergeant Michael Wynne posted to the 3rd Battalion from the Depot. 27 June 1916 Hansard 18 October 1916 Mr. REDMOND In the whole province of Connaught not one single new battalion was trained. Galway is the headquarters, I think, of the Connaught Rangers. Several new battalions of the Connaught Rangers were raised, but not one of them was allowed to be trained within the confines of the province of Connaught, although there is at the present moment, outside Galway, an admirable training ground properly equipped with rifle ranges and everything else. From Cabinet Minutes: 1 May 1917 All drafting units as opposed to training units should be moved to vulnerable positions where they would come under the command of the Northern and Eastern Commands with a definite place in the defensive scheme, thus fulfilling the dual role of drafting and defensive units as is the case with certain special Reserve-, units today. In this manner the defence force will be increased by some 500,000 men, thus freeing 500,000 men at present engaged on home defence for the purposes mentioned at the commencement of this page. 5349 Private P C Clancy based at the Depot died 26 June 1916 5/1301 Sergeant Michael Wynne posted to the 3rd Battalion from the Depot. 27 June 1916 6679 Corporal John Wilson posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 5 Dec 1916 6757 Colour Sergeant John McIlwain posted to the 3rd Battalion from the Regimental Depot. 9 June 1917 He previously had served as the Orderly Room Sergeant with the 5th Battalion 14 Sept 1916 to 25 Feb1917 He had contracted Malaria in Jan 1917 and had been invalided Home. Captain T H Crofton and Lieutenant T Hughes rejoined 6th Battalion from the Regimental Depot 23 Aug 1917 3/4093 Company Sergeant Major Daniel Twohig posted to the Depot from the 5th Battalion 7 Nov 1917 3/4093 Company Sergeant Major Daniel Twohig discharged no longer fit for war service 15 Dec 1917 3/6268 Private Bernard Mageean posted to 3rd Battalion from Command Depot 23 Jan 1918 The 3rd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers absorbed the 4th Battalion (Extra Reserve) with 17 Officers and 113 men, and then became part of Dover Garrison (Eastern Command), No.5 Area. The 4th Battalion (Extra Reserve), had been disbanded due to recruiting problems. 16 May 1918 6060 Private Patrick Joseph Casey posted to 3rd Battalion from Command Depot 18 June 1918 4267 Lance Corporal William Buckley posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 9 July 1918 Charles Wilson promoted to 32049 Colour Sergeant at the Depot 12 Oct 1918 32049 Colour Sergeant Charles Wilson posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 23 Oct 1918 3828 Corporal William Bowes posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot having been repatriated as a Prisoner Of War 15 Nov 1918 16143 Private J Fleming based at the Depot died 23 Nov 1918 9110 Corporal George Evans posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 4 April 1919 Captain A G Moutray proceeded from Dover to Galway to take up Recruiting Duties 18 April 1919 Drafts from The Depot were sent to 1st Battalion to bring it up to strength of 750 at Shaft Barracks, Dover of all ranks, preparatory to its sailing for India in the following October. May-Oct 1919 The 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion was reconstructed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel A J Digan DSO, and on its return to the regimental Depot at Galway was disembodied. Aug 1919 Colonel H D Chamier Commanding, The Depot, Connaught Rangers, Renmore Barracks Galway 7 Oct 1919 Iin 1920 under Army Order 388 with each regiment allocated its own block of numbers: Connaught Rangers 7143001 – 7177000 Captain Evelyn Lindsay-Young joined The Connaught Rangers from Indian Army, and was on strength of the Depot 30 July 1920 Saw service in Ireland during Anglo-Irish War. Army List 27 Nov 1920 3rd Battalion at Galway Lieutenant Colonel Cross, P W, (3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Special Reserve) Captain Steward, W. MC Captain Hornridge G. M. P Captain Ireland D L, MC Lieutenant Boal J.K. Lieutenant Leonard, J. S. Lieutenant Madden P Adjutant Lieutenant Munro P, Royal Irish Fusiliers Quarter-Master Captain Wallace R Honorary Colonel J A B Daly had died during 1920 Private Patrick Donoghue from Andrahan, County Galway was the last recruit joining The Connaught Rangers 15 Dec 1921 The troops from The Depot Galway, arrived at Dover 8 Feb 1922 The Depot Establishment, Dover April 1922 Commanding Depot Captain Evelyn Lindsay-Young Lieutenant Colonel Charles Smyth, Quartermaster Depot Adjutant, Lieutenant John Michael Garrett, MC (previously Sergeant in 1st Battalion and discharged to commission into 6th Battalion 25 Oct 1917 had served 18 years in the ranks) The last of the Connaught Rangers departed Galway for Dover by train. On departing the rear of the train was occupied by Black and Tans who waved Union Jacks and sang God Save The King, while the Connaught Rangers responded by waving Republican Flags and shouting ‘Up De Valera’ 12 Feb 1922 The IRA took over Renmore Barracks next day Renmore Barracks, the Connaught Rangers Depot at Galway taken on as a training centre for Irish troops 12 March 1922 The regular personnel of the 3rd & 4th Battalions and the Depot Staff were posted to the 2nd Battalion and both the Regular Battalions were reduced to cadres of 5 Officers and 70 Other Ranks 25 May 1922 Army List August 1922 On the strength of the Depot, The Connaught Rangers (to be disbanded) Captain H B W Maling 1st Bn Lieutenant T Kelsey MC DCM 1st Bn Lieutenant C P S L Palmer 2nd Bn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesmessenger Posted 9 December , 2009 Share Posted 9 December , 2009 Mark Many thanks for that. It does give an excellent feel for the role of a regimentla depot. Charles M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcrtoye Posted 9 December , 2009 Share Posted 9 December , 2009 As you know my ggranda was a 2nd Bn man, he lived in Scotland what would've done once he received his call up papers as he was a reseverist. This will fill in his complete war record. Thanks. Dominic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARMAGH Posted 9 December , 2009 Share Posted 9 December , 2009 Very interesting,enjoyed reading the depot report of the Connaught Rangers.is the barracks still in Galway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesmessenger Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 As you know my ggranda was a 2nd Bn man, he lived in Scotland what would've done once he received his call up papers as he was a reseverist. This will fill in his complete war record. Thanks. Dominic He would have almost certainly travelled across to Ireland and reported to the Depot. There he would have been kitted out before being sent to the 2nd Battalion. Charles M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcrtoye Posted 10 December , 2009 Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Thanks for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 10 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 10 December , 2009 Hi, Major Jourdain had a list prepared of retired NCOs he had served with and he would contact in the event of war. As soon as possible the recruit was then formally attested before a Justice of the Peace or qualified officer, taking the Oath of Allegiance and signing to that effect on the Attestation Form. The new soldier received an advance of his first day's pay and he would be asked which unit he wanted to serve with. His transport to the relevant Depot also had to be arranged, while some men requested a few days leave beforehand in order to sort out their affairs. A date would be settled, the recruiter would have a rail warrant prepared for the journey if needed. On the day of joining his unit, an NCO or other member of staff would escort him to the railway station, and he would receive whatever pay and allowances were due to him for the period since his attestation. He would have a recruit's pass and a copy of the Attestation Form as proof of identity. The official copy of the Attestation Form should have reached the Depot before he did, but this was not always the case. The staff then had various forms and duplicates to send off to the Depot, to the Paymaster, and unit Record Office. Also cases where special authority was required to enlist men over-age or under-height, or to offer specialist pay rates, had to be sorted before attestation. Also here is the start of 6757 Sergeant John McIlwain's journal from August 1914 Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 13 December , 2009 Author Share Posted 13 December , 2009 Hi, Have added a bit more to the History above Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boydo Posted 18 December , 2009 Share Posted 18 December , 2009 Fascinating detail Mark. Thanks for sharing that information. As you know my Great Uncle served with the 3rd Btn from 1909 to 1917 before being drafted to the 6th Service Btn in France in Feb 1917. I guess he served in the Kinsale/Crosshaven up to Feb 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesmessenger Posted 19 December , 2009 Share Posted 19 December , 2009 It is worth noting that Jourdain published his own account of his war entitled Ranging Memories. This includes a very good description of how the depot processed the reservists. Charles M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 9 February , 2010 Author Share Posted 9 February , 2010 Hi, I have added a bit more from various souces Regards Mark Depot In Army Orders of January 1905 the Districts and Depots in Ireland were divided into 2 groups, called ‘North of Ireland’ and ‘South of Ireland. The Depot at Galway was included in the South of Ireland District, under Brigadier General L G Brooke, CB, who commanded the 88th Regimental District at Galway. The Record Office was removed to Cork Jan 1905 The Depot dealt with all things Regimental, and was its home and base and looking after the Colours and Regimental Silver. The Depot did the recruiting and basic training of men before draft to Regular and Special Reserve battalions, the discharge of Regular soldiers to pension or the reserve and the administration of invalids and medical discharges went through the Depot. The co-ordination and control of the Regular Reserves including mobilization, administration, payment, clothing, arming, yearly training and discharge took place at the Depot. Army List Jan 1906 Serving at Depot, Galway Major H D Chamier 1st Battalion Captain A L Keogh 2nd Battalion Lieutenant O F Lloyd 1st Battalion Lieutenant A H B Wright 2nd Battalion 7275 Corporal John Thorpe O’Neill posted to Depot from 1st Battalion 1 Oct 1906 7275 Corporal John Thorpe O’Neill appointed Unpaid Lance Sergeant 2 Oct 1906 Resided at Shambles Barracks 1¼ miles from Renmore Barracks. Major Herbert Gore from the 1st Battalion took command of the Depot from Major Henry Deschamps Chamier who became the 2nd in command of the 1st Battalion 29 Nov 1905 Major George Lamont Hobbs from the 1st Battalion took command of the Depot from Major H Gore who retired from service 16 Feb 1907 7275 Lance Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill appointed Orderly Room Clerk with 4th Battalion The Connaught Rangers 15 March 1907 Orderly Room Clerk 7275 Lance Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill married Susan Casey at Galway and was placed on the ‘Married Establishment’ 24 July 1907 7275 Lance Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill permitted by the Army Service Corps to draw Ration Allowance rather rations from Renmore Barracks as a special case since he resided in Shambles Barracks 8 Aug 1907 Captain Henry Francis Newdigate Jourdain became Adjutant of The Depot and the 4th Battalion 20 Sept 1907 He was visited by the Commander of the Grouped Regimental District and told that they needed better results in the recruiting and the Militia needed to be reorganised. He recruited all over the Province of Galway and always found a warm welcome from the people and the constabulary and station masters were glad to help. He noted the people preferred the recruiters to arrive in uniform. Mr J C Gardiner, was the Resident Magistrate at this time. 7275 Lance Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill promoted to Sergeant 31 Oct 1907 45 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 14 March 1908 25 Line Recruits sent to the 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 19 June 1908 17 Line Recruits sent to the 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 17 July 1908 The Depot Adjutant Captain H F N Jourdain left The Depot for duty with the 3rd Battalion 1 Aug 1908 7275 Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill appointed Orderly Room Clerk with 4th Battalion from the Depot Staff 15 Aug 1908 29 Line Recruits and 2 Duty Men sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 25 Sept 1908 5134 Sergeant Joseph Ganly posted from 1st Battalion to the Home Establishment, Depot Galway 23 Oct 1908 30 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 24 Oct 1908 30 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 14 Nov 1908 29 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion at Tipperary 9 Dec 1908 During the winter of 1908-9 recruiting continued to be very good for the Special Reserve. Major William Stopford Sarsfield Adjutant 4th Battalion The Connaught Rangers. took over command of the Depot from Major G L Hobbs who proceeded to join the 1st Battalion in India18 Jan 1909 With the passing of the Queen's College, now University College, Galway, there has also passed away a prominent figure in the College, an old soldier of the Queen, in the person of the Assistant in Natural History, Sergeant Brady. For upwards of twenty years Sergeant Brady has been known to visitors to the museums, and especially to students, for his knowledge and never-failing courtesy. Formerly he served in the 88th for over twenty years, largely in India; the effects of his various campaigns, the heat of the Indian plains and the cold of the Himalayas’ could be seen in his soldier's physique and unmistakeable bearing. He was taken ill a few weeks ago, but returned to his duty; which, however, he had to relinquish, and went home to die. He died on Thursday, 25 Feb 1909. 20 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 3 March 1909 5134 Sergeant Joseph Ganly posted as part of the Permanent Establishment to the 4th Battalion 4 March 1909 Captain F. J. Byrne, of the Connaught Rangers, is seconded for service on the staff. Lieutenant A. H. B. Wright is promoted Captain. 10 April 1909 22 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 19 May 1909 Captain James McNally, of the Connaught Rangers, who has for a long term of years been stationed at Renmore Barracks, has been promoted to the rank of Major. 19 June 1909 3rd Battalion had 26 Recruits at the Depot 26 June 1909 The Hon Edward St George Tottenham-Irvine formerly 2nd Lieutenant in the (The Queens) 16th Lancers to be on duty at the Connaught Rangers Depot and with the 4th Battalion atBoyle as Lieutenant with seniority from 12 Feb 1908 for several months 3 July 1909 From the Duke of Connaught's Own Sligo Artillery to (The Queens) 16th Lancers 26 Mar 1902 3rd Battalion had 22 Recruits at the Depot 19 July 1909 Irish Command Order ‘Recruiting for The Connaught Rangers is to cease in the command, except in the 88th Recruiting Area.’ 9 Sept 1909 46 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 10 Sept 1909 Supplemental Irish Command Order ‘Recruiting for The Connaught Rangers is now confined to their own Special Reserve only.’ 4 Oct 1909 There were 91 Line Recruits at the Depot at this time. 4 Oct 1909 Pattern 1908 web equipment was taken into general wear 31 Oct 1909 27 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 11 Dec 1909 26 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 15 Jan 1910 Major William Stopford Sarsfield took over command of the Depot 23 Feb 1910 viz Major G L Hobbs who joined the 1st Battalion in India18 Jan 1910 Recruiting opened in No.11 District, the standard height being 5ft 3’’ and upwards 17 March 1910 11 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 21 June 1910 3rd Battalion had 52 Recruits at the Depot 22 July 1910 6 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 29 July 1910 6 recruits of 4th Battalion (Special Reserve), The Connaught Rangers had undergone recruits' drill at the depot Galway that year by 3 Oct 1910 7275 Corporal John Thorpe O’Neill posted to Depot from 2nd Battalion 4 Oct 1910 15 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 1 March 1911 64 recruits of 4th Battalion (Special Reserve), The Connaught Rangers had undergone recruits' drill at the depot Galway that year by 31 March 1911 The conditions to which attention is drawn are similar to those which formerly existed in the case of certain militia battalions. In certain extra reserve battalions local conditions, such as the requirements of labour and agriculture, make it desirable that the training of the recruits should not, except in a few individual cases, be carried on during certain seasons of the year, and in these cases the period during which the recruits are not under training may extend to six months. This was the case with the depots referred to. Under the arrangements prescribed by Special Army Order of 27th February, 1911, the regular officers with an extra reserve battalion will in future consist of an adjutant and quartermaster only, as the services of the other regular officers are not required for ordinary duties at a depot. 16 April 1911 Census taken 2/3 April 1911 1911 Census for the Connaught Rangers Depot, Renmore Barracks at Glaway (In italics not on Depot Census) DEPOT STAFF Captain C F W Faithorne 31 Church of England, England, (Regular Establishment) Captain Henry F N Jourdain, Adjutant, England (Regular Establishment) 1000 Sergeant John Farrell 46 Church of England, 28 Aug 1915 KIA 5Bn 3052 Sergeant Major Charles Frier Dryden 39 (Hon Lieut & Quarter Master 1st Bn 1913) 3270 Colour Sergeant Michael Murtagh 44 Roman Catholic, 3CR 3771 Sergeant Louis Roche 40 Roman Catholic, 4273 Quarter Master Sergeant W H Dryden 37 Church of England, 4458 Sergeant William Clarke (Instructor of Gymnastics) 35 Roman Catholic, 4552 Colour Sergeant Charles Wilson 39 Roman Catholic England, 4946 Sergeant Michael Considine 36 Roman Catholic, 21 Mar 1918 KIA 6Bn 5003 Colour Sergeant Henry Thomas Stevens 33 C of E, England, 5246 Colour Sergeant William John Smith 34 Roman Catholic, Malta, 5455 Sergeant Denis Mack 34 Roman Catholic, 5959 Colour Sergeant Arthur R Piper 33 Church of England, Colour Sergeant John Lloyd (Orderly Room Sergeant) 36 C of E, 3CR 6476 Sergeant Alfred Stokes 31 Roman Catholic, Sergeant Michael McDonagh 28 Roman Catholic, 5940 Lance Sergeant Charles Browne 35 Church of England, 6090 Lance Sergeant James Merchant 32 Roman Catholic, 6610 Corporal P Byrne 30 Roman Catholic, 6679 Corporal John Wilson 27 Roman Catholic, 6912 Corporal Patrick Murphy 28 Roman Catholic, 20 Nov 1917 KIA 6Bn 6933 Corporal Joseph Peden 30 Roman Catholic England, 7523 Corporal Michael O’Gorman 26 Roman Catholic, 7881 Corporal Robert Moon 20 Roman Catholic, 8545 Corporal Patrick Danagher 24 Roman Catholic, 23 Aug 1915 DOW 5Bn 9386 Corporal John McGuirk 21 Roman Catholic, 9635 Corporal John J O'Hara 23 Roman Catholic London, England, 2639 Lance Corporal P McDonagh 45 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3343 Lance Corporal Kieran Corrigan 40 Roman Catholic, 3634 Lance Corporal William Fox 39 Roman Catholic, 3871 Lance Corporal Michael White 39 Roman Catholic, 4846 Lance Corporal Bernard Flanagan 33 Roman Catholic, 5405 Lance Corporal Thomas Kirlan 34 Roman Catholic, 6091 Lance Corporal Daniel Fogarty 32 Roman Catholic, 7433 Lance Corporal James Moynes 25 Roman Catholic, Lance Corporal Henry Hanley 33 Roman Catholic, 9108 Drummer Charles Belsham 32 Roman Catholic England, 9110 Drummer George Evans 25 Church of England England, 9139 Drummer Michael Fanneran 20 Roman Catholic, 1872 Private Patrick Flynn 42 Roman Catholic, 3972 Private Daniel Kavanagh 38 Roman Catholic, 4083 Private James Trotter 38 Roman Catholic, 4309 Private John Walsh 36 Roman Catholic, 7 Dec 1915 KIA 5Bn 4824 Private Patrick Gibbons 33 Roman Catholic, 4849 Private John McDonough 36 Roman Catholic, 5036 Private Terence Tighe 32 Roman Catholic, 26 Apr 1915 KIA 1Cn 5240 Private Dennis Hackett 35 Roman Catholic, 5415 Private Thomas Lawton 34 Roman Catholic, 5628 Private Patrick Canavan 32 Roman Catholic, 5804 Private William Whewell 28 Roman Catholic, India, 12 Nov 1914 DOW 1Bn 5878 Private William Donovan 32 Roman Catholic, 5911 Private Alexander Elligott 34 Roman Catholic, 5954 Private John Kennedy 27 Roman Catholic, 6060 Private Patrick Joseph Casey 28 Roman Catholic, 6089 Private James McNamara 31 Church of England, 6384 Private James Kelly 28 Roman Catholic, 20 Aug 1914 Died 1Bn 6422 Private Joseph Glavey 36 Roman Catholic, Read only, 6434 Private Michael Beirne 28 Roman Catholic, 6464 Private John Fleming 28 Roman Catholic, 6632 Private James Doyle 35 Roman Catholic, 6653 Private F Murphy 29 Roman Catholic, 6685 Private William Hall (Servant to Captain Jourdain) 30 Roman Catholic England, 6747 Private Edward McFadden 27 Roman Catholic, 6771 Private W Curley 32 Church of England England, 7005 Private John Healy 27 Roman Catholic, 7378 Private (Drummer) Thomas Nolan 28 Roman Catholic, 7421 Private Robert William Cattley 40 Methodist (Wesleyan) England, 7417 Private Patrick Caffrey 27 Roman Catholic, 7605 Private Patrick Healy 30 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 7767 Private Peter Thompson 24 Roman Catholic, 8884 Private James Welply 27 Church of England, 12 Apr 1915 DOW 1Bn 8922 Private John Monk 22 Church of England, England 9687 Private T Flynn 23 Roman Catholic, Private Bernard Kilroy 34 Roman Catholic, 7 Dec 1915 KIA 5Bn Private T Riordan 32 Roman Catholic, Private M Quinlan 35 Roman Catholic, Private P Kilkenny 35 Roman Catholic Irish&English, RECRUITS FOR THE LINE 10041 Private Thomas Garry 10053 Private A H Woodward POW 10058 Private W Loveless 10068 Private J Pallas 10070 Private W Kenny, missing now KIA 23 Nov 1914 Cpl 10071 Private D Bernec, KIA 23 Nov 1914 Cpl 10073 Private T Allen, KIA 28 Dec 1914 Driver 10083 Private Martin Craddock 10084 Private P Coyle, wounded 25 May 1915 10085 Private John McLachlan KIA 11 March 1916 10094 Private William Morrissey 21 Roman Catholic, 10095 Private Bernard Flanagan, Glasgow, trained at Curragh 10097 Private John Kelly, wounded 11 Nov 1914 & 21 Oct 1916 shell shock 10098 Private James Reedy 20 Roman Catholic, 10100 Private Daniel Callaghan 10101 Private George Sherlock 10102 Private Arthur James Smith 19 C of E, London, England, (POW) 10103 Private William O'Connor 18 Roman Catholic, 10104 Private Herbert Keegan 1Bn shell shock, deserted 2 Oct 1917 & enlisted in RAF 25 Sept 1918 2/AC no.298862 1 SID, DCM 1919, detention end 7 Nov 1919 half remission to be sent to 1Bn India, deserted again 31 Jan 1920 10105 Private James Nimino (Nimmo), Glasgow, Curragh 10106 Private James Kearney 18 Roman Catholic, 13 Mar 1915 DOW 1Bn 10107 Private Patrick Stewart 23 Roman Catholic, wounded May 1915 10108 Private John Reilly 18 Roman Catholic, 10110 Private Hubert Dawson 20 Roman Catholic, 10111 Private James Burke (Bourke), 18 Roman Catholic, 18 Nov 1914 DOW 2Bn 10112 Private Patrick (Martin) Ward 18 Roman Catholic, 17 Jan 1917 DOW 1Bn 10113 Private John J Wyley 10114 Private Harry Minsk 18, Jewish, London, England 23 Nov 1914 DOW 1Bn 10117 Private John Hayes 10118 Private John Cassidy 22 Roman Catholic, Wounded 15 May 1915 10120 Private Michael Connors 17 Roman Catholic, (POW) 10121 Private Thomas Regan 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 10123 Private John Daly POW 10124 Private Thomas Green 10125 Private Michael Flannery Killed in action, France, 23 Nov 1914 1Bn 10126 Private Joseph Hall killed in action France 10127 Private Thomas Cole 18 Roman Catholic 10129 Private Albert Arthur James 10132 Private Joseph Martin 10135 Private Thomas Lennon 10136 Private Thomas Donohoe, wounded 25 may 1915 10137 Private James Lavin 10138 Private George Forster 17 Roman Catholic, 23 Nov 1914 KIA 1Bn 10139 Private John Gill 18 Roman Catholic, 10140 Private Thomas A Sutton 18 Church of England, 10141 Private James McConville 17 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 10142 Private Patrick Docherty 21 RC Irish&Eng, reported MIA, 23 Nov 1914 KIA 1Bn 10143 Private Patrick Murphy 10144 Private William Gallagher 10145 Private John Patrick Hughes 20 Roman Catholic, 10146 Private John Mullany 18 Roman Catholic, POW 10147 Private Hugh Hannawin 18 Roman Catholic, 10148 Private Patrick Murphy 10149 Private John Murphy 10150 Private John Melville (Melvin) 10151 Private Michael Gilligan 10152 Private Michael Brennan 10153 Private Christopher Maxwell 10154 Private George Fraser Gamble 10156 Private Patrick Callaghan 18 Roman Catholic, 10158 Private John Millor 18 Church of England, 10160 Private Patrick Lynch 10161 Private Patrick Henry 10164 Private William Kennedy 18 Roman Catholic, 21 Jan 1916 KIA 1Bn 10167 Private Joseph Kelly 10168 Private James Brien (Brian) wounded 25 may 1915 10170 Private James Tierney 10172 Private Martin Monaghan 10175 Private Donald Murphy 18 Roman Catholic, 21 Jan 1916 KIA 1Bn 10177 Private Patrick Padden 10180 Private Roger Fallon 18 Roman Catholic, 10181 Private James Halligan 10183 Private W Nagle 6 or 23 Nov 1914 KIA Cpl 2Bn 10184 Private James Lawrence O’Connor 10186 Private William Glance (Glancey) 10187 Private Cornelius Corkery 10188 Private William Cremen wounded 25 May 1915 10190 Private George H Kennedy POW 10191 Private Herbert P Walsh 10192 Private Michael McHale 24 Roman Catholic, 21 Jan 1916 KIA 1Bn SPECIAL RESERVE RECRUITS 3rd BATTALION 3696 Private Dennis Connelly 17 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 3778 Private James Reilly 17 Roman Catholic, 3794 Private Peter Cummins 18 Roman Catholic, 3799 Private John Buckley 18 Roman Catholic, 3803 Private Christopher Donelan 18 Roman Catholic, 3804 Private Patrick Brennan 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3811 Private John Kennedy 3814 Private Patrick Hopkins 19 Roman Catholic, 3816 Private Michael Kenny 17 Roman Catholic, 3816 Private Patrick Murphy 3817 Private Michael Kenny 3818 Private Timothy Cawley(Cauley) 18 Roman Catholic, 1 Jun 1915 KIA 1Bn 3819 Private Michael Ward 18 Roman Catholic, 10 Nov 1914 DOW 1Bn 3820 Private James McNally 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3821 Private Luke Maloy 19 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 3824 Private John Deighnan (Deignan) wounded 25 May 1915 3825 Private Michael Noone 3828 Private William Bowes 23 Roman Catholic, (POW) 3831 Private James Sweeney 18 Roman Catholic, 3837 Private Michael Breen 16 Roman Catholic, 3838 Private Thomas Silke 18 Roman Catholic, 3843 Private Martin McMahon 22 Roman Catholic, 3845 Private Michael Dever 17 Roman Catholic, 19 Apr 1916 KIA 1Bn 3846 Private John Ward 18 Roman Catholic, 3851 Private James Frain 17 Roman Catholic, 26 Apr 1915 KIA 2Bn 3854 Private Peter Gallacher 22 Roman Catholic Irish&English, 3855 Private John Brady 17 Roman Catholic England, 3856 Private Michael O'Malley 22 Roman Catholic, 3858 Private Peter Greene 17 Roman Catholic, Irish&English, 3859 Private John Joseph Furey 17 Roman Catholic, 3860 Private John Kelly 17 Roman Catholic, 3862 Private P Conroy wounded 25 May 1915 3866 Private J Griffin 20 Roman Catholic 28 Dec 1914 KIA 3868 Private Martin Keneavy 18 Roman Catholic, 7 Dec 1915 KIA 5Bn 3872 Private Michael Caffery 21 Roman Catholic, 8 Nov 1914 KIA 2Bn 3875 Private Martin Folan 25 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3876 Private John Joyce 17 Roman Catholic, 3877 Private Patrick Mitchell 17 Roman Catholic, 14 Mar 1915 KIA 2Bn 3882 Private Robert Walsh 17 Roman Catholic, 3885 Private John Gavaghan 19 Roman Catholic, 3886 Private Michael O’Mally 3889 Private Edward Boyle 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 26 Apr 1915 KIA 1Bn 3894 Private Michael Keogh KIA 28 Dec 1914 3895 Private John Murray 3898 Private Daniel Craughwell 3902 Private Edward Lally 3903 Private David Roland KIA 23 Nov 1914 3919 Private Thomas Murphy 3920 Private James Noone 17 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 3947 Private Joseph Forde 18 Roman Catholic, 3962 Private Anthony Hoilan 18 Roman Catholic, 4th BATTALION 4202 Private Michael Bierne 4205 Private Joseph Kelly 4206 Lance Corporal Patrick Stokes 20 Roman Catholic, 4213 Private James Reilly 4217 Private John McDonagh 18 Roman Catholic, 4218 Private Martin Craddock 4220 Private Benjamin Whittaker 4221 Private Martin Noone 17 Roman Catholic, 4226 Private Patrick Farrell 4232 Private James Gallagher 4238 Private William Scanlon 4240 Private John Gettings 4243 Private Michael Murren POW 4244 Private James Farrell 4245 Private John Monaghan 4246 Private James Timbs 4247 Private William O'Sullivan 19 Roman Catholic, 4255 Private William Grey (Gray) 4258 Private Joseph Feeley 4261 Private Michael McSherry 4262 Private John Duignan 19 Roman Catholic, 4266 Private John Hanley ‘H Coy’ 4268 Private Daniel O’Hare 4283 Private John Holian 4287 Private Michael Colreavy 4290 Private Dennis Ward 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, 4299 Private Luke Gilligan 4308 Private Michael Ward 18 Roman Catholic RECRUITS Private Jacob Annenberg 19 Jewish England, Yorkshire Private Francis Bennett 19 Roman Catholic Private G Boyde 18 Roman Catholic, Private William Clossick 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private M Connelly 19 Roman Catholic, Private S Duffy 20 Roman Catholic, Private H Durkin 19 Roman Catholic, Private Andrew Fallon 18 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private M Finlay 19 Roman Catholic, Private J Freyne 19 Roman Catholic, Private P Gower 19 Roman Catholic, Private W Howard 18 Roman Catholic, Private F Hurley 19 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private M Kinsley 20 Roman Catholic, Private G Lynch 22 Roman Catholic, Private P Mackessy 18 Roman Catholic, Private R Moore 17 Roman Catholic, Private H Morgan 19 Roman Catholic, Lanarkshire, Scotland, Private J Palmer 18 Roman Catholic, Private F Pender 17 Roman Catholic Cannot Read, Private W Smith 20 Church of England, England, Private J Thompson 16 Roman Catholic, Private G Walton -----Crossed Out----- Signed by Captain Jourdain NCO’s and Other Ranks: Roman Catholic 154 (89%) Church of England 16 (9%) Jewish 2 (1%) Methodist 1 (1%) Total 172 12 Cannot Read and 1 Read Only. Total 13 (8%) 8 Speak Irish and English (5%) 15 (9%) Born in England, 1 (1%) in Scotland, 1in India & in Malta (1%), and 153 (89%) in Ireland There were approx' 20 Other Ranks Quarters inside the barrack walls and also a one roomed National School, there were laundry wash rooms and drying area for the families to use. 12 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 29 May 1911 Captain H F N Jourdain Adjutant at Renmore Barracks the Connaught Ranger Depot, Galway, May 1911 There was a lot of official nervousness in 1911, when all the equipment held on charge by the Army Reserve was changed out in one day, a massive task. 7275 Corporal John Thorpe O’Neill appointed Unpaid Lance Sergeant 27 June 1911 Army List July 1911 Depot, Galway Major W S Sarsfield 2nd Battalion Captain J C MacSwiney 2nd Battalion Captain O F Lloyd 2nd Battalion Lieutenant T B G F Eames 1st Battalion 3855 Private John Brady arrived at 3rd Battalion from Depot 8 July 1911 3rd Battalion had 3 Officers and 21 Recruits at the Depot 12 July 1911 10145 Private John Patrick Hughes posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 8 Aug 1911 6069 Colour Sergeant John Martin Swords attached to the 3rd Battalion for a tour of duty from the Depot 7 Oct 1911 Captain H F N Jourdain left the Depot and joined the 2nd Battalion as Senior Major 19 Oct 1911 12 Officers and 258 N.C.O.’s and Men from the 2nd Battalion, under the command of Colonel Heneker, DSO, ADC, arrived to deposit the 1862-1911 Colours in Renmore Roman Catholic Chapel 28 Nov 1911 The Colours were formally handed over to Major Sarsfield, Commanding the Depot, who then asked Revd. Father Newall to accept them and place them on the walls of the Regimental Chapel. (This stand of Colours was surreptitiously removed, together with a stand of Colours of the 4th Battalion, one night in 1916 by persons unknown, and no trace of them has since been obtained) During 1911 the highest and largest number had ever been recruited in one year from Galway was recorded. The 3rd Battalion had grown from 1 officer and 117 men to 23 officers and over 600 men in the last 4 years. Lieutenant G C de Stacpoole joined the Class of Instruction which assembled at the Regimental Depot on 9 April 1912 17 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 22 April 1912 2nd Lieutenant F D Foott from 3rd Battalion to Regimental Depot from 27 May 1912 to 23 June 1912 for Recruits course of musketry Recruits course of musketry starts 27 May 1912 Recruits course of musketry ends 23 June 1912 47 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 26 June 1912 3rd Battalion had 17 Recruits at the Depot 15 July 1912 3rd Battalion had the following men based at the Depot in Regimental Employment from the Permanent and Regular Establishment: 2 Officers, 12 N.C.O.’s, 2 Drummers, and 32 Privates 15 July 1912 The Times ‘Our Dublin Correspondent telegraphs that a good deal of resentment is felt in Galway at the refusal of Dr. O'Dea, the Roman Catholic Bishop of the diocese, to allow the acting chaplain to the troops in the district to take part in the ceremony of receiving the old colours of the 4th Battalion Connaught Rangers and depositing them in the regimental chapel at Renmore. Last November the old colours of the 2nd Battalion of the same regiment were placed in the chapel and were accepted by the chaplain, Father Newell. The ceremony of depositing the colours of the 4th Battalion was to have taken place yesterday, but had to be postponed because the Bishop had informed the chaplain that he had to refuse to give his sanction to his taking part in the ceremony. It is said that the ground of Dr. O'Dea's objection is that he sees no reason why such flags should be deposited in a place of worship and he considers a museum a more suitable place.’ 26 July 1912 The Times ‘As regards the alleged refusal of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Galway to allow the old colours of the 4th Battalion of the Connaught Rangers to be deposited in the military chapel at Renmore, Galway, on Thursday, it is reported that Father Newell, the military chaplain, and Father Monaghan attended at Renmore Barracks on Friday and expressed their willingness to receive the colours at any time that it was convenient for the regiment to attend, As all the arrangements had been cancelled on Thursday evening the chaplain and Major Sarsfield, the officer commanding at Galway, drove to Oranmore camp, where they saw Colonel Hammond, C B who, it is said, declined again to arrange for the ceremony after what had occurred.’ ‘The Freeman's Journal stated that the Bishop, when shown a newspaper cutting of his alleged refusal to allow the colours to be deposited in Renmore chapel, said that the facts were wholly misrepresented in the paragraph. When the request was made to him that the colours should be deposited in the military chapel at Renmore he asked that this request should not be pressed on the ground that only sacred objects could fittingly be deposited in the House of God. Ultimately he allowed the chaplain to act on his own responsibility in the matter, and it was acting on his own responsibility that Father Newell went to Renmore barracks. When the colours of another battalion of the regiment were deposited in Renmore barracks six months ago Dr. O'Dea was in Rome, and was not consulted on the subject. A newspaper correspondent who saw Major Sarsfield on Saturday says that that officer stated that the report of the matter which appeared in Friday morning's newspapers was correct. Colonel Hammond also stated that the report was in no way exaggerated.’ 28 July 1912 7275 Lance Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill re engaged at Galway to complete 21 years service 17 Feb 1913 Major H F N Jourdain takes command of the Depot from Major W S Sarsfield who joined the 2nd Battalion 23 Feb 1913 He was instructed to by the Commander of the District that he was to improve the recruiting for both the Line and for the Special Reserve. Also to reorganize the mobilization at once, as time was urgent. His Commanding Officer told him ‘Your going to the Depot is very good for the Depot, but very bad for the Battalion. But the War Office wants you there specially.’ Recruiting was pushed forward and rose higher every quarter along with musketry. 4126 Private Michael Allen posted to the 3rd Battalion form the Depot after his recruit training 14 March 1913 At Galway Petty Sessions a soldier named Regan was charged with deserting from Renmore Barracks, the depot of the Connaught Rangers. From the evidence of the Police it appeared that when he arrived at Oranmore the prisoner met two men named Hynes and Lenihan, who assisted him in obtaining a suit of old plain clothes. Two military shirts were found in a tin box on Lenihan’s farm, and the remainder of the uniform in a sack some distance away. Lenihan and Hynes were now charged with aiding a deserter. Sergeant Healy stated that some time ago soldier’s uniforms had been stolen from the camp at Oranmore, and used as disguises by parties who had been concerned in committing outrages in the district. The Bench convicted Lenihan and Hynes, but allowed them off on finding bail themselves in £10 and two sureties of £5 each. 22 March 1913 3rd Battalion had 12 Recruits at the Depot 24 July 1913 7275 Lance Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill promoted to Sergeant 3 August 1913 7275 Sergeant John Thorpe O’Neill posted from Depot to 2nd Battalion 11 August 1913 25 Line Recruits sent to 2nd Battalion 31 Oct 1913 During 1913 86% of recruits were obtaining a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Class Certificate in Education the highest average for any Depot in the United Kingdom. A credit to the Acting Schoolmaster, 6834 Sergeant Walter William Quinn attached from the 2nd Battalion, aged 28, RC, married, and from Co Tipperary. He had enlisted at the age of 14 in Feb 1900. Major H F N Jourdain obtained the services of a retired Colour Sergeant (Thomas J Croke aged 51) in the Orderly Room to act as Orderly Room Sergeant on mobilization and a retired Quarter Master Sergeant (James William Smyth aged 37, C of E, Single from Roscommon living in Galway with his Sister’s family) to act as in charge of the Stores on mobilization during 1913 Major H F N Jourdain was in daily communication with the Fleet and had to leave a contact address and telegraph form while away on recruiting duties. The Depot won the Connaught Hockey Cup during 1914 3rd Battalion had 22 Recruits at the Depot 8 July 1914 Major H F N Jourdain received a private message that it was only a matter of days before war would be declared 25 July 1914 Staff at Depot made ready for any declaration of war but little work could be done it being a Bank Holiday 3 Aug 1914 Depot Officers remained at Renmore Barracks all Day, despite the Galway Races being on. Orders for ‘General Mobilization’ received during the evening 4 August 1914 An orderly ran from the Barrack gate with a telegram for Major Jourdain who was walking with another officer down to Cromwell’s Fort. 4 Aug 1914 “Commanding Depot, Galway General Mobilization Ordered” Order received at the Depot at 6.53pm for mobilization of the Army 4 Aug 1914 Telegrams announcing general mobilization throughout the province of Connaught were sent out at once. Major H F N Jourdain went directly to the Orderly Room and unlocked the safe and sent out the telegrams throughout the Province of Connaught ordering mobilization. Several men reported to Depot the evening 4 Aug 1914 British army reservists in town of Ballina had already received the call up and on Wednesday, August 4th "over a dozen reservists, looking proud and fearless, but not a little unnerved by the warmth of the demonstration" to the Railway Station, headed by the two local bands, the Hibernians and the Foresters. The following morning there was a similar send-off for a further batch of reservists. Lieutenant J I Fraser and 2nd Lieutenant F M S Gibson and the Colour Party arrived with the Colours of the 2nd Battalion and handed over the Colours for safe keeping to the Officer Commanding the Depot 6 Aug 1914 Lieutenant J I Fraser and 2nd Lieutenant F M S Gibson proceeded to Aldershot with the first draft of Reservists for the 2nd Battalion 6 Aug 1914 On mobilization the 3rd Reserve Battalion moved away from the depot to its war station and took with it its administration and the depot training cadre to provide men replacing the wastage of the regular battalions. The depot expanded its recruiting efforts and manpower control, receiving all recruits for initial administration and providing drafts to the Special Reserve Battalion and the newly formed Service Battalions. Details to be left at Depot on mobilization 1 Special Reserve Lieutenant Orderly Room Clerk ex regular soldier 2 Sergeants for recruiting duties 2 Drummers Details Required from Regular Reserve to complete Depot on mobilization 1 Lieutenant Colonel 1 Major 1 Acting Quarter Master Sergeant 1 Colour Sergeant 2 Sergeants 4 Corporals 20 Privates The Depot dealt with all things Regimental, and was its home and base and looking after the Colours and Regimental Silver. The Depot did the recruiting and basic training of men before draft to Regular and Special Reserve battalions, the discharge of Regular soldiers to pension or the reserve and the administration of invalids and medical discharges went through the Depot. The co-ordination and control of the Regular Reserves including mobilization, administration, payment, clothing, arming, yearly training and discharge took place at the Depot. On mobilization the 3rd Reserve Battalion moved away from the depot to its war station and took with it its administration and the depot training cadre to provide men replacing the wastage of the regular battalions. The depot expanded its recruiting efforts and manpower control, receiving all recruits for initial administration and providing drafts to the Special Reserve Battalion and the newly formed Reserve Battalions. As the war went on the functions of the depot continued, administering and controlling the ever growing regiment, the Battalions having autonomy in their own right but using the depot as a focal point. The works, employment and agricultural company's, the administration of Invalids, medical and convalescents and the control of recruiting remaining with the depot throughout the war. Also to control and administer the movement of troops between regiments. 621 Reservists had been sent via the Depot to 2nd Battalion at Aldershot since mobilization to 7 Aug 1914 236 Other Rank Reservists sent via The Depot to 2nd Battalion 8 Aug 1914 The majority of men who had seen 3 years continuous war service in the South Africa were sent to join the 2nd Battalion at Aldershot Colonel H D Chamier (retired pay – late Connaught Rangers) took over command of the Depot from Major H F N Jourdain who was appointed to the command of the 5th (Service) Battalion, and was granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel 8 Aug 1914 3rd Battalion mobilized and proceeded to Crosshaven, County Cork, leaving details necessary for duties at the Depot 8 Aug 1914 Major H F N Jourdain handed over command of 3rd Battalion to Lieutenant Colonel A C Lewin, DSO, 8 Aug 1914 Captain O’Brien proceeded to Aldershot with draft of Army Reservists 8 Aug 1914 By the evening of 8 Aug 621 men had been dispatched from the Depot to join the 2nd Battalion at Aldershot. 3343 Lance Corporal Kennan Corrigan, 3871 Lance Corporal Michael White posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 8 Aug 1914 48 Other Rank Reservists sent to 2nd Battalion 9 Aug 1914 A draft of 109 N.C.O.’s and Men under Lieutenant S H Lewis sent to 5th Battalion at Dublin 28 Aug 1914 2nd Battalion reports its mobilization as complete at Aldershot 13 Aug 1914 Recruiting had not been quite so good after the mobilization of the Line and Special Reserve, so Major H F N Jourdain hired a car and got a poster printed up and toured all the chief cities and towns of the Province of Connaught and got hundreds to enlist during two days. He found the Depot besieged by recruits. "Infantry Training (4-Company Organisation) 1914" issued by the General Staff, War Office. PRINCIPLES AND SYSTEM OF TRAINING. Recruit training. 1.The course of recruit training should include:- i. The development of a soldierly spirit. ii. Instruction in barrack and camp duties, cleanliness, care of feet, smartness, orders, and such regulations as immediately affect the soldier. iii. Physical training, under qualified instructors, as laid down in the Manual of Physical Training. iv. Infantry Training, Chapters II to V inclusive. v. Marching, march discipline; and running. vi. Musketry instruction under the following heads :- (a) General description of the rifle and ammunition used. (b ) Instruction in care of arms; (c ) Elementary instruction in the theory of rifle fire. (d) Aiming and firing. (e) Visual training and judging distance. vii. Movements at night, and practice in using the ears and eyes at night (Sec. 113). viii. Guards and outposts. ix. Rudiments of the duties of a soldier in the field. x. Use of the entrenching implement and entrenching tools. xi. Bayonet fighting. 2. Before being dismissed recruit training every regular recruit will be examined by the depot or battalion commander and a medical officer, who will determine whether he has attained the necessary standard of efficiency and is physically fit for the duties of a trained soldier. This examination may take place as soon as it is thought that a batch of recruits has attained the required standard, but never later than six months after enlistment, deducting any periods spent in hospital or under detention. When once a recruit has been passed as above, he must be considered a trained man with the exception of musketry. A recruit must on no account be passed temporarily and the final stages of the syllabus postponed with a view to taking him for other duties in the meanwhile. The entire course of his recruit training must be continuous. A special report must be made by the depot or battalion commander, to the district or brigade commander as the case may be, about any line recruit who, after six months training, is found too weak or too awkward for the duties of a trained soldier. 3. The necessary standard of efficiency before a regular recruit is dismissed recruit training is as follows :- (a) The recruit must be able to turn but correctly in marching order and fit to take his place in the ranks of his company in close and extended order drill . (b ) Carry out an ordinary route march in marching order. (c ) Have completed his recruit gymnastic training. (d)Be sufficiently instructed in musketry and visual training to commence a recruit's course of musketry immediately after being dismissed recruit training. (e) Be sufficiently trained to take part in night operations. (f) Understand the principles of protection and his duties on guard or outpost. ' (g) Be able to use the entrenching implement and en- trenching tools and understand the method of carrying tools. (h) Be well grounded in bayonet fighting. 4. Recruits will be formed in squads for instructional purposes. The number of men in each squad should be as small as the number of available instructors will allow. 5. Squad instructors will be most carefully selected. They must be intelligent, energetic, smart in their bearing, and thoroughly well trained in the art of instruction. It will usually be advantageous for the instructor to remain with the same squad throughout the period of training and carry out the whole of the instruction except physical training, which will be taught only by fully qualified instructors. 6. The course of instruction should be so arranged as to begin with about 20 hours' work per week, gradually increasing to about 28 hours' work per week. The daily work should be arranged with as much variety as possible, and must be suited to the aptitude of the individual recruit. Every endeavour must be made to avoid monotony, with its consequent loss of interest. 7. A syllabus for a course of six months' training is given in the Appendix to assist officers charged with the training of recruits in framing their programmes. This syllabus, which is published as a guide only, and need not be rigidly followed, is so arranged as to admit of recruits who show special aptitude being dismissed their recruit training at the end of the twentieth week. In addition to the work mentioned in this syllabus recruits must be given practical instruction in laying out kits, the repair of clothing, and the cleaning of clothing and equipment. 8. Equipment will be issued on joining, but, with the exception of waist belt and cartridge carriers, which will be used for all musketry parades after the first fortnight, it will not be worn on parade during the first month. Instructors will wear waist belts on all parades, with cartridge carriers on musketry parades. Dummy cartridges will be used by both instructors and recruits on all musketry parades. 9. Rifles will be issued when the depot or battalion commander directs, but not earlier than the second week. Lieutenant H G Robertson took command of the Connaught Rangers Depot at Ferozepore, India when the 1st Battalion left India for France 17 Aug 1914 He remained in command until Feb 1915 when he rejoined the 1st Battalion 2 N.C.O.’s and 107 Men sent to the 5th Battalion at Richmond Barracks, Dublin under the command of Captain H J Nolan-Ferrall, who then returned to the Depot on completion of this duty 31 Aug 1914 Men who had completed their reserve service tended to be sent to the 5th Battalion and were very useful in building up the new battalion. A large number of men who had served on the Indian Frontier, Burma and South Africa.. A draft of 67 N.C.O.’s and men sent to the 5th Battalion 2 Sept 1914 A draft of 57 N.C.O.’s and Men posted to B and C Companies of the 5th Battalion 4 Sept 1914 Captain Henry James Nolan-Ferrall posted from Depot to 5th Battalion 4 Sept 1914 A draft of 50 N.C.O.’s and Men posted to B and C Companies of the 5th Battalion 5 Sept 1914 Lieutenant Godfrey James Bertie Eyre Massy and 94 N.C.O.,s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 7 Sept 1914 A draft of 25 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to the 5th Battalion 8 Sept 1914 Included 5/354 Private John Moynihan 2 drafts of 137 & 47 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion at Kilworth Camp 11 Sept 1914 A draft of 51 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion at Dublin 14 Sept 1914 Major George Cuthbert Digan joined Depot for duty from 5th Battalion 16 Sept 1914 A draft of 70 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion at Kilworth Camp 14 Sept 1914 A draft of 38 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 18 Sept 1914 A draft of 15 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 21 Sept 1914 A draft of 19 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to 5th Battalion 23 Sept 1914 A draft of 22 N.C.O.’s and Men sent to ‘A’ Company, 6th Battalion 24 Sept 1914 8377 Private William Grogan posted to 3rd Battalion form Depot 1 Oct 1914 7500 Private Dominick Toy posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 7 Oct 1914 8250 Private Albert Edwin Flack posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 10 Oct 1914 Army Council Instruction (ACI) 123 of 12 Oct 1914 entitled ‘Status of Special Reserves, New Armies, and Regular Army’ said: ‘From representations made to the War Office it would appear that there is still some misapprehension with regard to the status of the Special Reserve, and the new armies in process of formation, when compared with the regular army as it existed before war was declared. It is therefore explained that the New Armies, the reserve units and the Special Reserve are, since mobilisation, to all intents and purposes, portions of the regular army. It is thus apparent that soldiers, whether attested under the ordinary terms of service in the force before mobilisation, or attested for the duration of the war under the conditions of AO’s 295 and 296 of 1914, are, during the period of embodiment, regular soldiers, and are therefore eligible for posting to any of the units of the corps to which they have been appointed, at the discretion of the competent military authority’. On October 17th three members of the Ballina Post Office staff left town to serve as field telegraphists with the British Expeditionary force in France, Messrs. McGarry, Mulligan and Phillips. 4521 Private Hugh Graham (was time expired & had served 20 years with no.4063) rejoined Connaught Rangers in Preston 17 Oct 1914 Arrived at Depot Galway 19 Oct 1914 3/4506 Private James Trotter assigned to the Depot, Galway 18 Oct 1914 3/4540 Private Christopher Gibson enlisted at the Depot Galway 19 Oct 1914 3/4531 Private William McGowan re enlisted in 3rd Battalion at the Depot Galway 20 Oct 1914 Served in ‘C’ Company in the 3rd Battalion. 4521 Private Hugh Graham posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 24 Oct 1914 Major Herbert Gore (Reserve of Officers, late 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers) posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion. He had been on duty service with the Depot since the mobilization 27 Oct 1914 Lieutenant Arthur Anderson 1st Battalion, The Connaught Rangers arrived at the 3rd Battalion from the Depot where he had been on duty 3 Nov 1914 First draft of 25 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion at Dublin 7 Nov 1914 A draft of 32 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 9 Nov 1914 A draft of 7 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 16 Nov 1914 A draft of 1 Recruit sent to 5th Battalion 21 Nov 1914 4195 Private Joseph Flaherty posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 24 Nov 1914 He had returned from the 2nd Battalion 8 Oct 1914 A draft of 60 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 27 Nov 1914 The Commanding Office 5th Battalion was empowered to make arrangements with the Officer Commanding The Depot to make up deficiency in numbers of the battalion at once 2 Dec 1914 6679 Lance Corporal John Wilson posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 12 Dec 1914 A draft of 17 Recruits sent to 5th Battalion 21 Dec 1914 Captain Sir A Armstrong joined The Depot for duty from 5th Battalion 7 Jan 1915 A draft of 13 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 12 Feb 1915 A draft of 50 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 15 Feb 1915 10334 Private John Fitzgerald posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 18 Feb 1915 6757 Sergeant John McIlwain posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 18 Feb 1915 He had previously been wounded while serving with the 2nd Battalion in France 15 Nov 1914 Gun shot wound to the left arm and had been invalided to the 1st London General Hospital. Arrived from extended leave at Newcastle 19 Feb 1915 6757 Sergeant John McIlwain became Acting Company Sergeant Major of ‘B’ Company under Captain W D O’Brien. On arrival he put in request to be transferred abroad again. A draft of 39 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 19 Feb 1915 A draft of 22 men sent to 5th Battalion at Beresford Barracks, Curragh Camp 24 Feb 1915 8722 Private Francis Brady posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 27 Feb 1915 As the war went on the functions of the depot continued, administering and controlling the regiment. The Battalions used the depot as a focal point. The administration of Invalids, medical and convalescents and the control of recruiting remained with the depot throughout the war. It was also used to control and administer the movement of troops between the Battalions. 6824 Private Martin McDonagh posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 6 March 1915 3343 Lance Corporal Kennan Corrigan posted to the Depot from 3rd Battalion 1 April 1915 4863 Private Myles Agnew based at the Depot died 4 April 1915 6342 Sergeant Frederick Feece while serving at the Depot was discharged as ‘Medically Unfit’ 27 April 1915 6420 Private Joseph Knowles while serving at the Depot discharged as ‘Medically Unfit’ 2 May 1915 10261 Private John Joseph Furey posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 17 May 1915 4310 Private Thomas Nolan posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 15 June 1915 6060 Lance Corporal Patrick Joseph Casey posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 16 July 1915 4187 Private Thomas Higgins posted to 3rd Battalion, ‘L’ Company from the Depot, Galway 21 Sept 1915 5660 Private Michael Dunn discharged due to wounds while serving at the Depot 23 Sept 1915 7500 Private Dominick Toy posted from 1st Battalion to the Depot for discharge 29 Sept 1915 7500 Private Dominick Toy discharged at the Depot under Paragraph 392 of King's Regulations (xxi) ‘The termination of his 1st period of engagement’ 21 Oct 1915 3/6163 Private Michael Gavin posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 6 Nov 1915 5959 Company Sergeant Major Arthur Piper posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 4 Feb 1916 He previously had served with the 1st Battalion in France until wounded. Gun Shot Wound to the Abdomen 12 Sept 1915 and invalided home 25 Sept 1915 5959 Company Sergeant Major Arthur Piper posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 4 Feb 1916 3/7235 Private Francis Murphy posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion at Kinsale 5 Feb 1916 3/7235 Private Francis Murphy declared illegally absent 5 Feb 1916 4823 Sergeant Patrick Fleming posted to the Depot from 1st Battalion 19 June 1916 5349 Private P C Clancy based at the Depot died 26 June 1916 5/1301 Sergeant Michael Wynne posted to the 3rd Battalion from the Depot. 27 June 1916 4823 Sergeant Patrick Fleming posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 18 July 1916 By this time in 1916 the standard was for recruits to undergo a 14 week process. 9 weeks were "individual" training, and the last 5 "collective". If needed the recruit could be subject to a draft after the 9th week. 6679 Corporal John Wilson posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 5 Dec 1916 9214? Recruiting Sergeant John Leonard who served at the Depot applied for Silver War Badge while serving with H M Factory Police at East Riffs, Dornock, Dumfriesshire 27 March 1917 Classed as Ineligible for Silver War Badge on his Medal Entitlement Card Captain Stephen L Gwynn recently returned from the front and Nationalist member for Galway City, attempted to address a meeting of his constituents at Castlebar. A party of young men numbering over 300 Sinn Fein sympathisers, were present, and gave Captain Gwynn a hostile reception. There was some stone throwing, in which the Captain received an injury to the knee, and he was struck in the face by an egg. Only a few Police were present. Much indignation was felt in Galway, as Captain Gwynn had done great service in the cause of the tenant farming interests. 5 June 1917 1/5451 Sergeant Nicholas Gaugheran 4th Battalion was employed as Musketry Instructor at the Depot from May 1917 6757 Colour Sergeant John McIlwain was posted to the 3rd Battalion from the Regimental Depot, Galway. 9 June 1917 He previously had served as the Orderly Room Sergeant with the 5th Battalion 14 Sept 1916 to 25 Feb1917 He had contracted Malaria in Jan 1917 and had been invalided Home. On arrival he reported to Captain & Adjutant Thomas Cheadle Posted to ‘H’ Company where the Company Sergeant Major was 5959 Company Sergeant Major Arthur Piper Captain T H Crofton and Lieutenant T Hughes rejoined the 6th Battalion from the Regimental Depot, Galway 23 Aug 1917 Captain William Russell Maguire 4th Battalion employed on recruiting duties at Galway after being wounded at 3rd Ypres Aug 1917 Private 10104 Private Herbert Keegan deserted while on the strength of the Depot. 3 Oct 1917 He had been discharged on sick leave from a Hospital in Perth after being treated for Shell Shock and not returned to duty. Later claimed to have lost his memory and he had enlisted into the Royal Air Force as 2/AC no.298862 on 25 Sept 1918 3/4093 Company Sergeant Major Daniel Twohig posted to the Depot from the 5th Battalion 7 Nov 1917 3/4093 Company Sergeant Major Daniel Twohig discharged no longer fit for war service 15 Dec 1917 1/11255 Private Michael Coonihan serving at Depot died 1 April 1918 The 3rd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers absorbed the 4th Battalion (Extra Reserve) with 17 Officers and 113 men, and then became part of Dover Garrison (Eastern Command), No.5 Area. The 4th Battalion (Extra Reserve), had been disbanded due to recruiting problems. 16 May 1918 10011 Private Patrick King joined the Depot 2 July 1918 4267 Lance Corporal William Buckley posted to 3rd Battalion from the Depot 9 July 1918 6/2456 Sergeant Joseph Bennett posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot 1 Aug 1918 10011 Private Patrick King posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 11 Sept 1918 Sergeant Charles Wilson promoted to 32049 Colour Sergeant at the Depot 12 Oct 1918 32049 Colour Sergeant Charles Wilson posted from the Depot to the 3rd Battalion 23 Oct 1918 3828 Corporal William Bowes posted to 3rd Battalion from Depot having been repatriated as a Prisoner Of War 15 Nov 1918 16143 Private J Fleming serving at the Depot died 23 Nov 1918 The old 2nd Battalion Colours sent from Depot to the newly formed 2nd Battalion formed from the 5th Service Battalion 8 Feb 1919 8097 Company Sergeant Major J Cullerton awarded DCM while at the Depot for previous service with the 5th Battalion 12 March 1919 9110 Corporal George Evans posted from Depot to 3rd Battalion 4 April 1919 Drafts from The Depot were sent to 1st Battalion to bring it up to strength of 750 at Dover May-Oct 1919 Colours of the 1st Battalion left the Depot for Dover with Captain McGuire with Lieutenant Benke (King’s Colour), and Lieutenant Garrett (Regimental Colour) and with Sergeant Gilman and Quarter Master Sergeant Prentice as escort June 1919 The 1st Battalion remained at Shaft Barracks until brought up by enlistments and drafts from the Depot at Galway to 750 of all ranks, preparatory to its sailing for India in the following October. 10080 Private J D’Arcy while serving at the Depot awarded DCM 3 June 1919 Request sent from Depot to Dublin Metropolitan Police for the arrest of Private 10104 Private Herbert Keegan for desertion18 July 1919 Private 10104 Private Herbert Keegan arrested by Dublin Metropolitan Police 23 July 1919 The 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion was reconstructed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel A J Digan DSO, and on its return to the regimental Depot at Galway was disembodied. Aug 1919 Private 10104 Private Herbert Keegan sentenced to 6 months detention by Court Marital at Renmore Barracks 16 August 1919 5660 Private Michael Dunn while at the Depot discharged due to wounds 23 Sept 1919 Colonel H D Chamier Commanding, The Depot, Connaught Rangers, Renmore Barracks Galway 7 Oct 1919 A NCO was sent from the Depot to collect Private 10104 Private Herbert Keegan from the Detention Barracks, Arbour Hill, Dublin. Half his sentence (3 months) for desertion was remitted and he was to be posted to the 1st Battalion in India with the first available draft 10 Nov 1919 Captain Evelyn Lindsay-Young joined The Connaught Rangers from Indian Army, and was on strength of the Depot 30 July 1920 Saw service in Ireland during Anglo-Irish War. Renmore Barracks was occupied by the Sherwood Foresters, with some based in Oranmore: There was also a large detachment of the 17th Llancers based at Earl’s Island: The Auxiliaries had a Company based in Lenaboy Castle, and between the barracks in Eglinton Street, two more barracks in Dominick St and in many private houses which had been commandeered, there were a total of 500 men. There was also at various times numbers of troops camped near Galway. JANUARY 1922 Recruiting for Irish Regiments temporarily suspended 1 Jan 1922 FEBUARY 1922 The troops from the Depot, Connaught Rangers arrived at Dover from Ireland 8 Feb 1922 2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers departed Galway for Dover. Departing the rear of the train was occupied by Black and Tans waved Union Jacks and sang God Save The King, while the Connaught Rangers responded by waving Republican Flags and shouting ‘Up De Valera’ 12 Feb 1922 The IRA took over Renmore Barracks 13 Feb 1922 MARCH 1922 The official War Office notification as to regiments to be disbanded was published in Army Order No.78 of 1922 11 March 1922 APRIL 1922 The Depot Establishment, Dover April 1922 Commanding Depot Captain Evelyn Lindsay-Young Lieutenant Colonel Charles Smyth, Quartermaster Depot Lieutenant John Michael Garrett, MC (served 18 years in the ranks) 2nd Battalion arrived at Dover on two Channel packets from Ostend returning from Upper Silesia and proceeded to the Connaught Barracks 4 April 1922 At Dover was full of frantic activity, and the officers and men drafted away in unnecessary haste. The Battalion ended up with thousands of pounds of stores with no one to hand them over to MAY 1922 The regular personnel of the 3rd & 4th Battalions and the Depot Staff were posted to the 2nd Battalion and both Regular Battalions were reduced to cadres of 5 Officers and 70 Other Ranks 25 May 1922 JULY 1922 Officers were in the case of those desirous of continuing in the Service, permitted to submit applications for transfer, naming 5 regiments in order of preference. Disbandment of The Connaught Rangers 31 July 1922 From the Army List 1922 (Battalion at Renmore Barracks, Galway) Captain Whyte, Alfred William Peter Talbot Captain Jackson J L, Lieutenant Greeves E D. Adjutant, Lieutenant Garrett, John Michael, MC (He had previously served as a Sergeant in 1st Battalion and was discharged to commission into 6th Battalion 25 Oct 1917) Quarter-Master, Lieutenant Colonel Captain Smyth C Many officers, NCOs and men from the disbanded battalions accepted offers and transferred to other Regiments and Corps. Lieutenant C E K Bagot MC, transferred to Gloucestershire Regiment with rank of Lieutenant 29 July 1922 Captain 6 Aug 1925, Adjutant 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment 2 July 1926 Lieutenant Christopher Joseph Walsh transferred to Manchester Regiment 6 Sept 1922 Retired 4 Dec 1922 2nd Lieutenant Wilfred Lewis Tolputt transferred as Lieutenant to Prince of Wale’s Volunteers (South Lancashire) at Abbasia Barracks, Cairo 9 Sept 1922 Captain Francis Marion Saunders Gibson transferred to Devon Regiment 13 Sept 1922 Awarded MBE.& MC. .He had served with the Machine Gun Corps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrymurland Posted 20 July , 2010 Share Posted 20 July , 2010 Not really on topic but a 2nd Battalion question. On 26th August 1914 Major Sarsfield took over the battalion after Abercrombie was taken prisoner. Who then subsequently took of=ver command or did Sarsfield remain CO until his death in September? Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 21 July , 2010 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2010 Major W S Sarsfield remained in command until his death. Major W N S Alexander took command after the death of Major W S Sarsfield and Captain E G Hamilton took over duty as Adjutant Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrymurland Posted 21 July , 2010 Share Posted 21 July , 2010 Thanks, that clears up an ambiguous reference in Bond of Sacrifice. One more question - Is there anything in print that comments on the lack (?) of command and control shown by Abercromcie at Le Grand Fayt on 26 August 1914? Or was his handling of the situation considered to be acceptable. As he died in captivity I imagine he was not able to write his own accout - or did he? Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 21 July , 2010 Author Share Posted 21 July , 2010 Hi, This is from 'Irish Regiments In The Great War-Discipline and Morale' by Timothy Bowman. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrymurland Posted 23 July , 2010 Share Posted 23 July , 2010 Thanks for that. Do you by any chance know how Captain William Gordon Barker 2nd Connaught Rangers came to his death? He died in England on 2.12.16 - presumably of either wounds or disease. Any light thrown on this would be appreciated. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 23 July , 2010 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2010 Hi, This is from 'The Connaught Rangers' by Jourdain & Fraser Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 23 July , 2010 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2010 He is on the 1911 Census as a Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion at the Curragh, aged 22 and it looks like he was born in India. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerrymurland Posted 23 July , 2010 Share Posted 23 July , 2010 Thanks guys - I thought as much - the poor guy was wounded at Le Grand Fayt in the leg. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhifle Posted 23 July , 2010 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2010 Thanks guys - I thought as much - the poor guy was wounded at Le Grand Fayt in the leg. Jerry He landed in France as Lieutenant W G S Barker (Machine Gun Officer) with the 2nd Battalion. 26 Aug 1914 Lieutenant Barker in command of the machine gun section which was part of a covering force at the rear of the battalion. Lieutenant Barker having fired the last round from the one machine gun he had left, destroyed it and took command of the covering party asthe senior officer left. The tripod of his other gun had been lost owing to the man with it being killed. Lieutenant Barker led a very gallant attempt at a charge and counter attack, but was brought down with a bullet in the thigh. The party was overpowered and taken prisoner. The party was marched away by the Germans leaving the wounded lying in a field. They received first aid from a German Medical Officer, but had to remain out in the open until the next day. An ambulance then picked them up and they were taken to a field hospital at Avesnes. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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