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

We welcome comments and suggestions about this website. Your messages can be sent using the email dialogue box at the bottom of the page.

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. Edmund O'Sullivan is photographed right bearing the insignia of his rank as sergeant major in the summer of 1945.

• Read the story of Colour Sergeant Edmund O'Sullivan during and before the Second World War here
• Read Edmund and Patricia O'Sullivan's life stories after 1945 here.

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.
• Captain William Hanna.
• 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.

• To view details of more than 1,000 men who died while serving with the Brigade click here
• Read first hand accounts written by men who served in the Irish Brigade.
• Read an account of the Brigade's actions from November 1942 to December 1943 written by Brigadier Nelson Russell
  • Tunisia from November 1942 to May 1943
  •  Sicily during July and August 1943
  • Italy from September to December 1943.
• To read an account of the Brigade's actions in Italy from March 1944 to July 1945 written by Brigadier TPD Scott.
• To read the Brigade and Battalions' war diaries, the day by day accounts of the campaigns in Tunisia and Italy from November 1942 to May 1945, click on the following links:
  • 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.
• To view the transcribed citations for honours and awards awarded to men of 38 (Irish) Brigade.
• To read the official histories of the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles.

Battlefield tours and guides include:

• A detailed battlefield walking guide to the Bou Arada area where the Irish Brigade fought its first actions during January and February 1943.
• A detailed battlefield walking guide to the Liri Valley for the period 14-17 May 1944.
• A visit report from the Liri Valley and a narrative guide to the Irish Brigade's assault on San Fatucchio and Pucciarelli on 21-25 June 1944.

To see all three detailed guides, click here.

View war-time 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.