looking for royal irish fusiliers extract from war diary

[153bde]

i am trying to help an elderly friend who lost his uncle in the great war , his uncle served with the north irish horse then transferred to the royal irish fusiliers and it was with the 9th battalion in this regiment he died on the 19/04/1918 . can anybody look this up for us so we can let his nephew know how he died ?

best regards

[Ardtrabane]

Hi

Have a look at this.

http://www.northirishhorse.net/ww1/rif.html

Good luck

Don

[153bde]

hi Don ;

thanks a million for this information , i have sent you mail

thankyou again

[MacM]

This extract from the diary of the 108th Brigade adds further detail:

"17^th [April] At 8.15 p.m. orders were received to form a composite Battalion of the Brigade, strength not less than 400 rifles, to report to Major BAINES, 2/5^th Sherwood Foresters at N.25.b.9.0. at or before 4 a.m. 18^th April.

"18^th [April] Battalion was formed of 1^st and 9^th (NIH) Bns. R. Ir. Fus. with a Lewis Gun detachment, 12^th R. Ir. Rifles, the whole under Lt. Col. P.E.KELLY, 9^th (NIH) R. Ir. Fus. and proceeded in accordance with orders.

Battalion moved to KEMMEL HILL, but whilst halted near foot of N. slope was heavily shelled, losing Captain DESPARD killed (last remaining Captain with the Battalion) and about 70 other casualties.

8.30 p.m. Composite Battalion was withdrawn in accordance with orders received from 19^th Division, the French having taken over KEMMEL defences."

Although the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show most of these casualties as occurring on 19 April, it is clear from the diaries that they actually took place on 18 April.

You can find further information on the former North Irish Horsemen who died on this day at this site www.northirishhorse.com.au. Just click on 'Casualties', scroll down to the date and click on any of the names.

By the way, which of these men was your friends uncle?

[153bde]

His uncle is Private Robert Park, 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, Service Nos 2325 (NIH), 41353 (RIF). Enlisted Antrim.

thanks for your help , i have since forwarded a dossier on robert to his nephew !