- Welcome to the Irish Brigade Website
- News
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- Formation of the Irish Brigade
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- Roll of Honour 1939-45
- 2 LIR – January to October 1942
- 2 LIR – November 1942
- 2 LIR – December 1942
- 2 LIR – January 1943
- 2 LIR – February 1943
- 2 LIR – March 1943
- 2 LIR – April 1943
- 2 LIR – May/June 1943
- 2 LIR – July 1943
- 2 LIR – August/September 1943
- 2 LIR – October 1943
- 2 LIR – November 1943
- 2 LIR – December 1943
- 2 LIR – January 1944
- 2 LIR – February 1944
- 2 LIR – March 1944
- 2 LIR – April 1944
- 2 LIR – May 1944
- 2 LIR – June 1944
- 2 LIR – July 1944
- 2 LIR – October 1944
- 2 LIR – November 1944 to February 1945
- 2 LIR – March 1945
- 2 LIR – April 1945
- 2 LIR – May 1945
- Honours and awards
- They Shall Not Grow Old – 1 London Irish Rifles
- They Shall Not Grow Old – 2 London Irish Rifles
- War Diaries of 1 London Irish Rifles
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- Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers – “The Skins”
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- At Rest in Rome and Egypt
- In Sidi Bishr
- Back To Italy
- With the 5th Army
- Plan to capture Imola
- The Spaduro battles
- The Rains come
- Patrolling and Artillery Duels
- San Clemente
- And with the Skins and Irish Rifles
- Clamping Down for the Winter
- With the Faughs
- Raid on Casa Tamagnin
- Continuing in the Mountains
- Goodbye to the Mountains
- The Beginning of a New Phase
- Preparing for the Final Battles
- Senio Floodbanks
- London Irish Raid on the Floodbank
- Visitors to the Irish Brigade
- St Patrick’s Day in Forli
- Ready for Action
- The Last Offensive – The Plan and Opening Phase
- The Po and the End of the War
- Northern Italy
- Into Austria – Settling Frontiers
- Balkan Troubles
- Postscript
- Irish Brigade Awards: May 1944 to March 1945
- Irish Brigade Awards: April to July 1945.
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- December 1942
- February 1943 (1)
- January 1943 (2)
- January 1943 (1)
- January 1943 (3)
- April 1943 (3)
- April 1943 (4)
- July 1943
- June 1943
- August 1943 (1)
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – November 1942
- March 1943
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – December 1942
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – January 1943
- May 1943 (1)
- May 1943 (2)
- May 1943 (3)
- December 1943 (1)
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – March 1943
- December 1943 (2)
- November 1943
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – May 1943
- October 1943 (1)
- October 1943 (2)
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – June 1943
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – July 1943
- October 1943 (3)
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – August 1943
- September 1943
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – September 1943
- April 1943 (1)
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – November 1943
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – December 1943
- April 1943 (5a)
- February 1943 (2)
- February 1943 (3)
- April 1943 (2)
- February 1943 (4)
- November 1942
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- October 1944 (1)
- March 1944
- February 1944
- June 1944 (1)
- January 1944
- April 1944
- June 1944 (2)
- May 1944
- October 1944 (2)
- November 1944 (1)
- July 1944
- August 1944
- November 1944 (2)
- December 1944
- September 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – January 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – March 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – April 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – May 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – July 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – August 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – September 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – October 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – November 1944
- 38 (Irish) Brigade – December 1944
- Officers’ Roll : Nov 1942 to Dec 1943
- Officers’ Roll : Jan 1944 to May 1945
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- April 1944
- July 1944
- June 1944
- March 1944
- May 1944
- 1 RIrF – January 1944
- 1 RIrF – February 1944
- 1 RIrF – March 1944
- 1 RIrF – April 1944
- 1 RIrF – May 1944
- 1 RIrF – June 1944
- 1 RIrF – July 1944
- 1 RIrF – August 1944
- 1 RIrF – September 1944
- 1 RIrF – October 1944
- 1 RIrF – November 1944
- 1 RIrF – December 1944
- Officers’ Roll : Nov 1942 to Jun 1944
- Officers’ Roll : Jul 1944 to May 1945
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- April 1944 (1)
- April 1944 (2)
- April 1944 (3)
- August 1944
- December 1944
- February 1944
- January 1944 (1)
- January 1944 (2)
- July 1944
- June 1944 (1)
- June 1944 (2)
- March 1944
- May 1944
- November 1944
- October 1944 (1)
- October 1944 (2)
- September 1944
- 2 LIR – February 1944
- 2 LIR – March 1944
- 2 LIR – April 1944
- 2 LIR – May 1944
- 2 LIR – June 1944
- 2 LIR – July 1944
- 2 LIR – August 1944
- 2 LIR – September 1944
- 2 LIR – October 1944
- 2 LIR – November 1944
- 2 LIR – December 1944
- Officers’ Roll : Nov 1942 to Dec 1943
- Officers’ Roll : Jan 1944 to May 1945
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- Point 286, Tunisia – Jan 1943 by Lt-Col Jeffreys
- Lieutenant Nick Mosley at Monte Spaduro
- The Skins in Sicily
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- Percy Hamilton – On Route to Africa
- Percy Hamilton – To The Front
- Percy Hamilton – Djebel Mahdi
- Percy Hamilton – Tanngoucha
- Percy Hamilton – Advance To Tunis
- Percy Hamilton – Guelma/Hammamet
- Percy Hamilton – Arriving in Sicily
- Percy Hamilton – From Centuripe To Randazzo
- Percy Hamilton – To Mainland Italy
- Percy Hamilton – Termoli
- Percy Hamilton – Crossing the Trigno River
- Percy Hamilton – Assault on San Salvo
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- Thursday 4th November 1943 (1)
- 4th November 1943 (2)
- Saturday 6th November 1943
- Tuesday 9th November 1943
- Friday 12th November 1943
- Monday 15th November 1943
- Tuesday 16th November 1943
- Thursday 18th November 1943
- Sunday 21st November 1943
- Tuesday 23rd November 1943
- Friday 25th November 1943
- Monday 28th November 1943
- Captain David Schayek – March/April 1943
- Colin Gunner at Argenta
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- Ted O’Sullivan joins the London Irish Rifles.
- Day 2
- The making of Rosie
- Training at Wimbledon
- Invasion alerts
- From Lowestoft to Haverfordwest
- Onto Goodwood
- Joining the Irish Brigade
- Operation Dryshod and ready for War
- Setting sail from Glasgow
- Arrival in Algiers
- Christmas in Tunisia
- Point 286
- Stuka Ridge
- Rest and recovery
- The Djebels north of Medjez-el-Bab
- Entering Tunis
- Rest and renewed training
- Stormy Mediterranean crossings
- The Sicilian campaign
- From Termoli to the Trigno
- Crossing the Sangro River
- Interlude at Campbobasso
- Meeting the new OC
- German raid at Montenero
- In clear sight of Vesuvius
- Defensive positions at San Angelo
- Ascending Monte Castellone
- The Liri Valley
- North of Rome
- Back to Rome and onto Egypt
- Hospitalised in Alexandria
- Out of the Line
- Back to the London Irish at last
- Resting in Forli
- St Patrick’s Day
- From Argenta to Austria
- Peace at Last
- Home on Leave
- At Ease in London
- The Atomic Sergeant Major
- RQMS Edmund O’Sullivan goes home
- Irish Brigade at Termoli, October 1943
- Termoli. 5/6 October 1943
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- Campaign Narrative
- Unit Accounts – 11 Brigade
- Unit Accounts – Other Arms
- Unit Accounts – Royal Artillery
- Unit Accounts – 36 Brigade
- Unit Accounts – 38 Brigade
- Unit Accounts – Royal Engineers
- 78 Division
- Unit Accounts – Maps
- Casualties/ Prisoners of War
- 11 Brigade
- 2 Lancashire Fusiliers
- 1 East Surreys
- 5 Northamptons
- 5 Buffs
- 8 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
- 38 (Irish) Brigade
- 38th Brigade
- 2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
- 2 London Irish Rifles
- 1 Royal Irish Fusiliers
- 1 Kensingtons
- The Queen’s Bays
- 9 Lancers
- 10 Royal Hussars
- 48 RTR
- Royal Artillery
- 17 Field Regiment RA
- 132 (Welsh) Field Regiment RA
- 138 Field Regiment RA
- 64 A/Tk Regiment
- Royal Engineers, 78 Division
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- Honours and Awards – 38 (Irish) Brigade
- Honours and awards – 6 Innisks
- Honours and awards – 2 Innisks
- Honours and awards – 1 RIrF
- Honours and awards – 2 LIR
- Honours and Awards – Tunisian Campaign
- Honours and Awards – Sicilian Campaign
- Honours and Awards – From Termoli to the Moro
- Honours and Awards – Cassino/ Trasimeno
- Honours and Awards – Monte Spaduro / Tamagnin
- Honours and Awards – Senio/Argenta Gap
- Mentions in Brigade Orders – October 1944 to March 1945
- Mention in Brigade Orders – April 1945
- Contact Us
- Site Map
1 RIrF – May 1943
1st May.
A quiet day. The Bttn was warned in the evening of a possible counter attack by the enemy. A few changes were made in the Bttn’s position, and Bttn HQ moved back about 200 yards behind a ridge. CO went on a recce.
2nd May.
No counter attack developed during the night, and none during the day. Two forward companies were mortared rather heavily during the afternoon. Lieut GL Care was wounded. Our mortars went into action and had some success shooting up some enemy on far slope of pt 416. Received a warning order for a move in the next few days. CO did not return today.
3rd May.
Orders for relief by the French tonight. Some difficulty handing over to the French owing to the shortage of French speakers in the Bttn. Full details of the move in the Appendix.
4th May.
A quiet day. Role in new area was to form a back stop for the impending advance. 78 Division were to form the back stop and the Irish Brigade less 6 Innisks were on the extreme right flank. The Bttn position was out of shell range
5th May.
No change in Bttn positions. A quiet day spent resting and cleaning after several weeks in the mountains.
6th May.
Bttn positions still the same. Large scale attack on Tunis commenced . 6th Armoured and 7 Armoured Divisions reached La Mornaghia. Bttn prepared to move forward when required and also prepared for a possible counter attack.
7th May.
Attack reported going favourably. Nothing could be seen of it from our positions owing to the duct in the Medjez valley caused by the streams of transport which were going down the Medjez valley all day.
1930 Elements of 7 Armoured Division in Tunis.
8th May.
Details of move in Appendix.
78th Division were to clear Tunis. 38 (Irish) Brigade to take the southern part of the town. Bttn was ordered to exploit and mop up any enemy around Lake Sedjoumi.
1400 Bttn started to advance with the carrier platoon leading, followed by A Coy. The road down the west side of the lake was full of 6th Armoured Division transport and there was no sign of any enemy. Bttn went round the southern end of the lake, and took up positions across the four main roads, leading from south to north into Tunis. Only a few hours were spent in these positions. The Bttn then moved back and consolidated in La Gagna.
9th May.
A quiet day spent settling in. No leave granted into Tunis.
10th May.
Ten percent of the Bttn allowed in Tunis. Nothing unusual to report. A quiet day.
11th May – TUNIS/LA GAGNA.
A quiet day.
1330 Patrols of 1 officer and 2 sections in transport were sent out by companies to the following places. A Company Inegrine, B Company Inaxula, C Company Hamman Lif and D Company St Germain.
1830 Patrols returned. A, B, and C Coys with nothing to report. D Coy brought in two suspect Italians and report having seen large quantities of German stores and equipment in several French houses.
12th May – TUNIS/LA GAGNA.
Patrol programme was cancelled. Companies engaged in marshalling prisoners from Cap Bon. Received orders for local move tomorrow.
13th May – TUNIS/LA GAGNA.
0615 Recce parties return to new area 1551.
1500 Bttn transport moves to new area.
1600 Marching personnel move.
1630 LO goes to tea at Division.
1800 Bttn reported in new area. D Company still dealing with prisoners on Tunis race course.
Captain Hanna rejoins Bttn.
14th May.
A quiet day. Nothing to report. Bathing under coy arrangements was carried out.
15th May.
A similar with nothing outstanding taking place.
16th May.
First recognised Sunday since landing in Africa. Quiet day and a holiday.
17th May.
0700 Party went to Bougie for mens’ kit bag. Quiet day.
18th May.
Orders and preparation for Victory Parade into Tunis.
Q Staff very busy sewing on Divisional and Brigade signs.
Detailed in attached appendix.
19th May.
Quiet day. More preparations for Victory March.
1700 Party for the parade move off.
20th May.
Victory March through Tunis. Extremely hot day. Bttn well represented in the Brigade group. The remainder were allowed to watch.
21st May.
A quiet day. Nothing to report.
22nd May.
Bttn still getting reorganised. Training programmes being made out. Being so near the sea, every man had ample opportunity for bathing almost every day. Party returned from Bougie with kit bags.
23rd May.
Nothing to report.
24th May.
Rest period still in progress. Bttn still in same area.
25th May.
A quiet day. Nothing to report.
26th May.
Received warning order to be prepared to move on the 28th. Carried out a few preparations.
27th May.
Packing up and preparing for the move tomorrow. Bttn was ready to move by 1900hrs in the evening.
28th May.
Full details of the day in Appendix.
29th May.
Continuation of move to new area.
1100 Bttn arrived in new area, a few miles north of Guelma. It was found to be very exposed to the sun, with very little shade. Chief attraction to the men was a swimming pool coming from a naturally warm spring, only about 500 yards from the camp.
30th May – GUELMA.
No training. Spent the day settling in, putting up tents etc.
31st May – GUELMA.
Coy training started. Preparations for the Brigade training camps, which were to operate on a twenty eight day programme.