Royal Irish Rifles

Displaying 1 to 29 of 29 records - page 1 of 1

Barnes , Edward MM

Date of Birth
Address
Bannow, Co. Wexford
Service No.
8/12575
Rank
8th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action
Other Biographical Details

Son of Benjamin and Mary Ann Barnes née Gooding. In 1901 the family resided in Bannow, Co. Wexford, where his father was with the Coast Guard. Prior to enlisting Edward worked as a wood turner in Belfast.

Barton, Charles Erskine

Date of Birth
Alias
Ernie
Address
Ruane, New Ross
Rank
4th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from gas poisoning at a military hospital in France. Buried at Pas de Calais.
Other Biographical Details

Son of C.W.Barton, D.L. of Glendalough House, Annamoe, Co. Wicklow. Husband of Norah Deane Barton, 4 Mount Pleasant Villas, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Brother of IRA officer, Sinn Fein member and Anglo-Irish Treaty signatory, Robert Barton, who also was an officer in Royal Irish Rifles. Son of Charles William Barton and Agnes Alexandra Frances (née Childers). He was raised at Glendalough House with his Childers cousins, including the famed Irish Nationalist Robert Erskine Childers. In 1903 Ernie married Norah Grace Greene of Bank House in County Wicklow, making their home in Oldcourt, Wexford. While Ernie was leading his men in the trench warfare in France, his mother Agnes passed away. It's unknown if the news ever reached Ernie. Just two weeks later, he was killed in a German gas attack while entrenched on French soil. Captain Charles Erskine Barton, Royal Irish Rifles, is buried with his fellow soldiers, both Irish and English, at the Terlincthun British Military Cemetery in France. His younger brother Thomas is also buried on French soil with Irish soldiers and English soldiers in a British military cemetery.

Berry, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
1868
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary Berry née Craney. Married Alice Meager Horn at Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland, 1913 and resided there. Children born: Mary Ann 1914 and Alice 1915. To BEF 2nd May 1915 and posted to 1st Royal Irish Rifles. On 25th September, 1915, 1st Royal Irish Rifles, serving in 8th Division, were sent into battle at Bois Grenier as reinforcements.

Breen, James

Date of Birth
Address
Ballygarett, Co. Wexford
Service No.
10181
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Bridget Breen née Byrne, both born in Co. Wexford. His father worked as a coachman. On the death of his mother from chronic pneumonia at Ballyminane, Co. Wexford in January 1901, he, his father and brother John moved to his grandfathers's farm in Mangan Lower, Ballygarrett, Co. Wexford.  His father died from tuberculosis on 18th May, 1901. In 1911 James was working as a grocer's apprentice in Ballygarrett. He enlisted before the begining of the war in August 1913.

Brennan, Myles

Date of Birth
Address
Well Lane, Wexford.
Service No.
10314
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
France and Flanders, died of wounds
Other Biographical Details

The son of James and Catherine Brennan née Brien. Married Alice Murphy 1915. Killed some weeks after the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line 14 March – 5 April 1917.

Brooks, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
9130 and 3/9130
Rank
14th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Mrs M Brooks. Veteran of the South African War. In the employment of the Enniscorthy Urban Council. Rejoined Army after outbreak of the Rebellion 1916. Buried in Lone tree Cemetery Belgium. 

Buttle, Albert Edward

Date of Birth
Address
Templeshannon, Enniscorthy
17th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station.
Other Biographical Details

Son of John & Annie Buttle of Templeshannon, Enniscorthy. His father, John was Director of Messrs. Buttle Bros & Co. Ltd, Bacon Curers and Merchants. Albert was educated in Newtown School, Waterford and Model School, Enniscorthy. Enlisted with Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1st April 1915. Gazetted 2nd Lieut. Royal Irish Rifles 2nd Bn. Took part in the Battles of the Somme in July 1916 and was invalided home in January 1917. Promoted to First Lieutenant, July 1917. Was offered a medical discharge being medically unfit, but volunteered again and rejoined his regiment in France on 29th May 1918. A casualty of the Fifth Battle of Ypres (28 Sept – 2 Oct 1918). Buried in Haringhe Military Cemetery.

Byrne, Patrick

Date of Birth
Service No.
6699
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action in the Ploegsteert Wood sector in Flanders, part of the Ypres Salient.
Other Biographical Details

Son of Patrick and Bridget Byrne nee Flaherty.

Chapman, William Stephen

Date of Birth
Address
South Main Street, Wexford
Service No.
3/16799
Rank
3rd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds
Other Biographical Details

Son of William Joseph and Maria Elizabeth Chapman nee Connell. His father was a navy pensioner and lived at William Street, Sligo. In 1911, William jnr was a draper's assistant in Wexford town at the drapery and boot factoring business of Thomas Masterton, Sount Main Street.

Connors, Denis

Date of Birth
Alias
O'Connor
Address
24 Ross Road, Enniscorthy.
Service No.
3/5926 and 5926
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of William Thomas (butcher by trade), foreman in Messrs Buttle Brothers victualing establishment, and Bridget Connors née Carty of 24 Ross Road, Enniscorthy. Grave at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belguim.

Cotton, Laurence

Date of Birth
Alias
Lawrence
Address
Maiden Lane, New Ross
Service No.
7829
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Thomas and Mary Cotton née Sweeney, His father was chimney cleaner.

Darling, Claude Henry Whish

Date of Birth
Address
Chelsea Lodge, Duncannon
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Other Biographical Details

Son of the Revd Oliver Warner Darling and Edith nee Dunn of Killesk Rectory, Duncannon, Co. Wexford. Brother of Lieutenant William Oliver Fortesque Darling.

Darling, William Oliver Fortesque

Date of Birth
Address
Chelsea Lodge, Duncannon
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of the Revd Oliver Warner Darling and Edith nee Dunn of Killesk Rectory, Duncannon, Co. Wexford. Brother of Second Lieutenant Claude Henry Whish Darling.

Lennon, Martin,

Date of Birth
Service No.
5538
Rank
8th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Kate Lennon nee Stafford of Dunganstown, New Ross, Co.Wexford.

Maguire, Patrick Joseph

Date of Birth
Service No.
9697
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Rosanna Maguire nee Black of Clonroche.

McMenamon, Michael

Date of Birth
Rank
Circumstances of Death
Died of wounds at No. 1 Southern Hospital, Rouen, 29.4.1916, age 21
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Catherine McMenamon née Devlin. His father was a Sergeant in the RIC. The 1901 Census shows the family at Ballyfarnan, Co. Roscommon. His father was then a RIC pensioner and a shopkeeper provision dealer. Children were James (17), Thomas (15), Patrick (14), Catherine (10), John (8), Michael (6), all born in Co. Wexford. By 1911 his parents were at Carrickmaclin, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan

Mellefont, Thomas Gray

Date of Birth
Address
Riverchapel, Courtown, Co. Wexford
Service No.
2/9887
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action at Bethune, Pas-de-Calais, France
Other Biographical Details

Youngest son of Robert and Susan Mellefont née Gilbert. His Father, born in Carne, Co. Wexford was station officer in the Coast Guard. 1901 census shows family living in Riverchapel. Thomas enlisted before the War in Jan 1912. His brother Gilbert served with the Royal Navy and survived the War. Thomas is commemorated on a memorial in the former Mariners Church, Dun Laoghaire which is now a museum.  

Millar, James Joseph Francis

Date of Birth
Address
Rockfield', Spawell Road, Wexford
5th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Germany
Other Biographical Details
Son of Samuel and Julia Millar nee Hayes of Wexford. Husband of Mary Josephine Millar of 'Rockfield' Spawel Road, Wexford.

Murphy, John

Date of Birth
Service No.
7073
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of James and Mary Murphy. Extract from the war diary.

Murphy, Moses

Date of Birth
Alias
Mogue Murphy
Address
Duke Street, Wexford
Service No.
2290
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in Belgium
Other Biographical Details

Son of Daniel and Anastasia Murphy nee Connors. Husband of Catherine Murphy nee Kenny of Duke Street, Wexford. They had five children: Bridget 1907, John 1908, Margaret 1910, Daniel 1913, and Aidan 1916. Buried at Tancrez Farm Cemetery in Belgium.

O’keeffe, Thomas Francis

Date of Birth
Address
Wexford
Service No.
Feb-87
Rank
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Enniscorthy Guardian article Son of Richard and Maria O'Keefe nee Sinnott. His father was a gas fitter. The 1901 census showed the family at 26 Abbey Street, Wexford. Children were Mary Frances (24), John (19), Ellen (17), Thomas (a printer machinist), Richard (12) and Kathleen (4). Another son had been killed in the Boer War. By 1911 his parents were at 22 Abbey Street. They had 9 children living, including William (26) and Alice (18). His father died from a sudden cerebral haemorrhage at Trinity Street, Wexford 25th May 1912. Enlisted in the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles 25th July 1908.

Roche, Michael Joseph

Date of Birth
Address
Mount Garrett Lane, New Ross
Service No.
10309
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action, France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details

Son of Mrs Stasia Roche of Mount Garrett Lane, New Ross. Photograph in the Enniscorthy Guardian. Son of Luke and Anastasia Roche nee Waters. His father was a labourer.

Scully, Henry

Date of Birth
Address
Leskinfere, Gorey
Service No.
21189
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died at Cawnpore
Other Biographical Details
Son of Thomas and Harriet Scully. Husband of Mary Jane Skully nee Doyle of Leskinfere, Gorey. Census 1911 shows his age as 40.

Stafford, Francis

Date of Birth
Address
161 Iveagh Building, 25, New Bride Street, Dublin
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Missing in Action Gallipoli campaign presumed dead.
Other Biographical Details

Son of James and Anne Stafford née Keegan. Husband of Gertrude Stafford née Moore of 161 Iveagh Building, 25 New Bride Street, Dublin.  Served in India and the Boer War Campaign. Was employed in Guinness' and appears on the Guinness Great War Roll of Honour. His final rank was Lance-Corporal - promoted in the field. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial monument, Gallipoli, Turkey. 

Walsh, James

Date of Birth
Address
Curraghmore, Co.Wexford.
Service No.
8631
2nd Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Wounded, Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of Edward and Mary Walsh née Gaffney. Enniscorthy Guardian article June 1915. Brother of Mrs Annie Lacey of Curraghmore, Ramsgrange, Co.Wexford. , the son of Edward and Mary Walsh née Gaffney. His father was an agricultural labourer. He had a sister Annie born 1.9.1884. His mother died from bronchitis at Curraghmore, 8.3.1911. In the 1911 Census his father was living alone. In his will he left everything to his sister Mrs Annie Lacey, Curraghmore

Whelan, James

Date of Birth
Service No.
10514
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Died from pneumonia, at 3rd Canadian General Hospital
Other Biographical Details
The son of Patrick and Mary Whelan née Nolan. His father was a smith’s helper. The 1901 Census shows the family at 21 Temperance Row, Wexford. His father was then an ambulance driver. Children were Stasia (18), Myles (15), Mary Ellen (13), Denis (10), Esther (8), James, and Patrick (3). His mother died from bronchitis at Back Street, Wexford, 23.2.1910. By 1911 his father, a general labourer, was at 17 Duke Street, Wexford, and had another son Peter (6). James was then a messenger boy. He was stationed at Portobello Barracks, Dublin, when he married Anne Emmett at St Paul’s Church, Dublin, 3.7.1915. Widow at 19 Hendrick Street, Dublin.

White, Patrick

Date of Birth
Address
177 The Faythe, Wexford.
Service No.
9511
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France
Other Biographical Details

Son of the late Nicholas and Mary Ann White née Doyle. Mother widowed in 1903, returned to Wexford and remarried to Michael Kavanagh, The Faythe (and later of Byrnes Lane). Effects to his mother. Lived with his mother and step-father in the Faythe and worked as a Messenger Boy aged 13 in 1911.

Whitford, Myles

Date of Birth
Address
Templeshannon, Enniscorthy
7th Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in action in France
Other Biographical Details

Son of John and Mary E. Whitford nee Donohoe of Enniscorthy.

Whitty, Valentine (Val)

Date of Birth
Alias
Val
Address
Irishtown, New Ross
Service No.
4629
Rank
1st Battalion
Date of Death
Circumstances of Death
Killed in Action France and Flanders
Other Biographical Details
Son of John and Mary Ellen Whitty nee Doyle of Church Street, New Ross