This is a resource devoted to the history of 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade, a Second World War formation of the British Army which, when it was formed in early 1942, comprised men who were largely from Ireland or of Irish origin.

Over the next three and a half years, the Irish Brigade would gain an unrivalled reputation during Allied campaigns in Tunisia, Sicily and mainland Italy.

This is a living project that aims to preserve the memory of the thousands of men who served with the brigade during the Second World War and to build bonds of friendship today among the people of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Tunisia and Italy.

Edmund (Gerard) and Richard O'Sullivan were inspired to create the website by their father Edmund, who served with the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles from 1939 to 1946, and their mother Patricia (nee Webb), who served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) from 1942 to 1946.

Latest stories about the Irish Brigade

Irish Films & Website has produced six original documentary films of a planned series of nine about the history of the Irish Brigade and its role in the Second World War named All My Brothers.

All the films were written and directed  by Edmund O'Sullivan and presented by Richard O'Sullivan, co-founders of the Irish Brigade Website.

You can view all episodes of All My Brothers by clicking on the relevant item below.

Part 1. The formation of the Irish Brigade and the early experiences of Edmund O'Sullivan, a London Irish rifleman conscripted in 1939; Operation Torch and the role of the Irish Brigade in the Tunisian campaign until March 1943. The film features an interview with Charles Ward, a London Irish Rifles sergeant at the time. Location filming includes at Grandstand Film, Stuka Ridge and Tunis. 35 minutes.

Part 2. The Tunisian campaign from March 1943 until July 1943. This covers the battles for Jebel Mahdi and Tangoucha/Jebel Ang and the capture of Tunis. 26 minutes.

Part 3. The Sicilian campaign and the Irish Brigade's advance from landing beaches to Catenanuova, Centuripe, the Simetto river and Maletto. It features an interview with Angelina Vitale (born in 1922) who saw the London Irish Rifles march into Piedimonte Etneo in  September 1943. 31 minutes.

Part 4. The Adriatic campaign in October-December 1943 and the Irish Brigade's deployment in the high Apennines in the winter of 1943/44. It covers the battles for Termoli, the Trigno, the Sangro and San Vitale and concludes with the story of the brigade in Castel del Sangro, Capracotta and Montenero in the Abruzzi Mountains. 27 minutes.

Part 5. The battle of Cassino from March 1944 and the liberation of Rome in June 1944. This covers the brigade's deployment on Monte Castellone overlooking the abbey of Monte Cassino and its role in the attack on the Gustav Line on 15-17 May 1944. This is followed by an account of the brigade's pursuit of the retreating German army and the audience it was granted in the Vatican by Pope Pius XIII, the first for an Allied formation. 37 minutes.

Part 6. The advance of the brigade north of Rome and the battle of Trasimeno followed by its dispatch to Egypt for rest. 27 minutes.

Part 7. The brigade's return to Italy in September 1944 and its deployment in the northern Apennines against the Gothic Line. The film will cover the battle for Monte Spaduro and its period along the Senio river in March 1945. Part 7 is due for release in the summer of 2023.

Part 8. The brigade's preparation for the final attack on the Germany army in April 1945. It covers the advance to the River Po and the end of the war in Italy on 2 May 1945. Part 8 is due for release in early 2024.

Part 9. The end of the war in Europe, the brigade's role in the occupation of southern Austria and Ted O'Sullivan's return to London in the spring of 1946. Part 9 is due for release in 2024.

The Men of the Irish Brigade

The Homecoming: men of the Irish Brigade after the war

The Fallen: stories of the men of the brigade who did not return

The Austrian occupation. The extraordinary story of the role of the brigade in Carinthia in 1945

The Gothic Line. The role of the Irish Brigade in the assault on the Gothic Line in the northern Apennines in October 1944

The final victory: the story of the Irish Brigade in Operation Grapeshot and the advance to the River Po in April 1945

To find out more about some of the men who served in the Irish Brigade in 1941-47, click on the names below.

Rifleman James Murtagh MM at Maletto.

Father Daniel Kelleher MC.

Major Colin Gibbs MC.

Charles Ward remembers his time with the London Irish Rifles and Special Operations Executive.

Lieutenant Desmond Fay at Casa Spinello, October 23rd 1944.

Major Sir Mervyn Davies MC 1918 - 2015.

Captain Strome Galloway at Stuka Farm, February 1943.

Canadians serving with the Irish Brigade.

Fusilier Edward Graham.

Lieutenant John Bruckmann

James McCabe

Rifleman James Cullen

Eric Jennings

Captain Joe Beglin

Sergeant Edward Mayo MM

Daniel Merron

John Lofting

Robert Warden

Sergeant John Geohegan MM

Corporal Edward O’Reilly MM

Major Lawrence Franklyn-Vaile

Frederick Gilligan

Joseph Whelan

Sydney Montrose Ekin

Details of more than 1,000 men who died while serving with the Brigade 

Day by day account of the Irish Brigade's journey from Algiers to Austria

First hand accounts written by men who served in the Irish Brigade.

An account of the Brigade's actions from November 1942 to December 1943 by Brigadier Nelson Russell

Tunisia from November 1942 to May 1943

Sicily in July and August 1943

Italy from September to December 1943

Italy from March 1944 to July 1945 by Brigadier TPD Scott.

War Diaries of the campaigns in Tunisia and Italy from November 1942 to May 1945:

38 (Irish) Brigade.

2 London Irish Rifles.

6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from November 1942 to August 1944

2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from July 1944 to May 1945.

1 Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Citations for honours and awards awarded to men of 38 (Irish) Brigade.

A detailed battlefield walking guide to the Bou Arada area where the Irish Brigade fought its first actions during January and February 1943.

A narrative guide of the advance from Termoli to the Moro River  during October to December 1943.

A detailed battlefield walking guide to the Liri Valley for the period 14-17 May 1944.

A narrative guide to the Irish Brigade's assault on San Fatucchio and Pucciarelli on 21-25 June 1944.

A day by day guide to Operation Buckland from 9th to 25th April 1945.

Photographs from the album of RSM George Charnick of the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles, who was one of the most decorated members of the Irish Brigade.

You can view other photographs that have been sent to us here.