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Remembered Today:

11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles


1690philip

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Can anyone tell me the first causality of the 11th Battalion in France as my searches come up on 03/03/1916? Any help would be great.

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I have (somewhere) a list of casualties of the 11th Bn. and will need to look at the dates they were KIA. Will get back to you on this.

Anne

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In the book, "With the Ulster Division in France - From Bordon to Thiepval", A Story of the 11th Battalion ROYAL IRISH RIFLES, South Antrim Volunteers, which is based on the records of Capt API Samuels, he records the following event:


"On February 29 our first death occurred, poor young Watt of No 12 Platoon. He was killed by a shell while standing outside the door of his billet in Mesnil, and buried in Mesnil Ridge Cemetery".


According to CWGC, he is 19818 Rifleman Robert John Watt, Son of Mrs. Agnes Watt; husband of Elizabeth Ann Watt, of Portglenone, Co. Antrim.


He is buried in Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil Martinsart (grave Ref I.5).


As it happens I will be visiting this cemetery in late August.


Hope this is of some help to you.


Steve.
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Sorry, I can't seem to find my list but I suspect Steve may be correct.

The Ballymena Observer: February 25th 1916:

"Watt, Robert John, Rfn. 11th Bn. RIR Service No. 19818. Died 29.2.1916. Killed by shrapnel while in billet behind the lines. Aged 30, son of Agnes. Husband of Elizabeth Ann Watt, Portglenone. Buried Mesnil Ridge Cem. Somme."

The Observer: March 17th 1916:

"Mrs Agnew Watt, Portglenone, has received intimation that her son, Rfn. Robert John Watt, 11th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles has been killed in action. Deceased joined the army at the outbreak of the war and prior to that he worked at Antrim, where he was a member of the UVF. His wife resides at Portglenone and he has a brother at the front."

This is his photograph.

Anne

post-77422-0-83350600-1405946507_thumb.j

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