Regimental Diaries

Regimental Diaries

1. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   09 January 1916

   The wind and sea were rising however, eventually on going down to the small pier, against each side of which were two or three lighters. The naval and military embarking officers hustled them on by sixes and sevens. The lighters got under way at 2.50am and a couple of hundred yards away the men boarded the Destroyer HMS Staunch. The Destroyer took men on board for a long time, and did not leave till 4am. Reached Imbros after 8am. There were no casualties in the evacuation.

2. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   08 January 1916

   General trench work. Z Day. EVACUATION. It was not until midday yesterday that the Battalion was officially told it was Z day, the final day of the evacuation. The strictest march discipline had to be maintained. The men’s footsteps were muffled by wearing strips of blankets over their boots. Before dusk the first party, ie the First Trip, moved off according to timetable. The parties of the Second Trip were duly dispatched. Then a long wait ensued, the normal procedure was followed, firing and bombing allowed to die down and at 11.45 the final parties of the Third Trip commenced their move to Battalion control. The united parties then marched down the Up Mule Trench and followed on past Pink Farm to the forming up place which was reached at 1.30am.

3. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   07 January 1916

   General work in trenches, on obstacles and booby traps. Killed 0, 3 wounded, strength, all ranks, 493.

4. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   06 January 1916

   General work on saps and trenches, and obstacles and booby traps. Patrols sent out during silence but nothing to report. Casualties: 5 wounded.

5. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

   06 January 1916

   HT Caledonia sails from Mudros.

6. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   05 January 1916

   Preparation of obstacles and booby traps. Smoothing and cleaning avenues to facilitate retirement. 23.30 Silence until half an hour before dawn. Our guns maintained a heavy bombardment of enemy from 14.00 to 16.00. Casualties: 1 killed, 2 wounded.

7. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   04 January 1916

   Work on blocking and saps, repairs. Collecting up surplus stores, SAA etc found in the area. 300 grenades fired into enemy trenches. 3 wounded, weather fair.

8. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

   03 January 1916

   Batt relieved 1st Border Regt in firing line at 5am. Light marching order and one blanket. Improvements and repairs to firing trenches. Heavy artillery bombardment of enemy lines at 13.00. Our machine gun fired on enemy during bombardment. 18 NCOs left for Mudros. Casualties: Wounded, 1.

9. 

   1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

   03 January 1916

   Princess Alberta sailed from Helles. 09.00 Mudros Harbour. 12.00 all troops transferred to HT Caledonia.

10. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    02 January 1916

    In rest camp. Ordinary routine. Casualties: Nil.

11. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    02 January 1916

    After much delay finally embarked via the River Clyde at about 04.00am. Sea rather choppy and considerable difficulty experienced in transhipping from tug to transport. All aboard just as day was breaking. Transport Ausonia. Reached Lemnos about noon and disembarked during afternoon. Marched to camp at Mudros East.

12. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    02 January 1916

    00.30 – Batt HQ, 6 Officers and 35 ORs marched to V Beach and embarked via the River Clyde on lighters by 04.30. At 06.00 disembarked and returned to dugouts above W Beach.

    At 18.15 Batt HQ proceeded to V Beach and embarked via the River Clyde on trawler Princess Alberta.

13. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    01 January 1916

    Batt in rest camp. Fatigues, cleaning up etc. Casualties: Nil.

14. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    01 January 1916

    W X and Z Coys under Captain Tomlinson moved to W Beach to provide working parties for evacuating stores.

15. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    31 December 1915

    Whole Batt working all night on new 3rd line trenches. Preparing for evacuation of peninsula.

16. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    31 December 1915

    1 officer and 54 ORs proceeded to W Beach to be evacuated.

17. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    30 December 1915

    Work on fire trenches etc. All Regt baggage dispatched to beach for dispatch prior to evacuation. Casualties: wounded 4.

18. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    30 December 1915

    Batt working on the Mule Track and the Nullah.

19. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    29 December 1915

    In firing line. Improvement to trenches, saps etc. Enemy artillery throughout the day. Casualties: 3 killed, 1 wounded.

20. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    29 December 1915

    Whole Batt working on Mule Track and the Nullah. Both tracks and trenches very bad indeed – mud and rain.

21. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    28 December 1915

    Drainage of fire trenches, support and communication trenches. Wire put of N of Northern Barricade. Active catapult and hand grenading throughout the night. Damage to enemy’s parapet and barbed wire observed. Casualties: 3 killed, 1 wounded.

22. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    28 December 1915

    Whole Batt working on Mule Track and the Nullah. Both tracks and trenches very bad indeed – mud and rain.

23. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    28 December 1915

    Working parties returning along the mule track were shelled.

24. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    27 December 1915

    Battalion relieved the 1st Border Regt in the firing line. Weather very unfavourable. Trenches in bad condition due to heavy rain. The Batt took over additional 200 yards in the direction of Gully Ravine. Casualties: 1 killed, 2 died of wounds, 1 wounded.

25. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    27 December 1915

    Batt working improving lines and training in specialist classes.

26. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    26 December 1915

    Batt in reserve Eski lines employed in general fatigues and improving trenches. Christmas message in general orders from the King and Queen. Casualties: 1 killed.

27. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    26 December 1915

    Batt working improving lines and training in specialist classes.

28. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    25 December 1915

    Xmas Day. Batt in reserve. Xmas greetings received and exchanged. Batt employed in trench work and general fatigues.

29. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    25 December 1915

    Batt resting and reorganising. Glorious weather – clear sky and bright sunshine all day.

30. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    24 December 1915

    Batt in Eski lines. Complimentary message wishing the Batt a Happy Xmas from published in Batt orders. Xmas puddings from Lady Murray. Xmas parcel mails delayed, none to hand. Casualties: 1 wounded, 1 died of wounds.

31. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    24 December 1915

    Batt resting and reorganising.

32. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    24 December 1915

    Capt Munro reported for duty.

33. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    23 December 1915

    All companies employed in repairing trenches. Site selected for permanent Batt HQ.

34. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    23 December 1915

    Batt relieved by 1/KSOB. Trenches in very bad state – mud and water – relief slow as a consequence. Relief complete by 20.30. Batt settled in RND dug out in reserve.

35. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    23 December 1915

    Batt moved to dug outs on terraces under cliffs at X Beach.

36. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    22 December 1915

    Batt in rest camp. Ordinary routine of fatigues. Orders received at 4 pm for A and B Coys to evacuate rest camp and proceed to reserve trenches. Trenches found to be flooded, many places knee deep which made things for the night rather unpleasant.

37. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    22 December 1915

    Severe rain storm during the night resulting in trenches being 2 and 3 feet deep in mud and water. Our front and communication trenches shelled intermittently during the night and throughout the day. At daybreak the Turks bombed us out of two positions in Z Coys lines, but were at once driven out again by a bombing party Lieut Ridley. 

    Casualties: 12 OR killed and 18 OR injured. Enemy: 20 dead bodies either brought in or seen in No Man’s Land.

38. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    21 December 1915

    The Battalion moved up to the firing line at 7.30, the relief completed by noon. Part of trench only 30 yards from Turks. Heavy firing along the line at 17.00. Our support and reserve trench wee heavily shelled throughout the night. 

39. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    21 December 1915

    Bgde Gen Williams took command of 86Bde.

40. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    20 December 1915

    Batt in rest camp. C and D Coys accommodated in winter quarters on cliff adjoining X beach. Telephone message from HQ notifying evacuation of Sulva and ANZAC without enemy having knowledge of same. No casualties. Battalion strength: Officers 23, Other ranks 678.

41. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    20 December 1915

    Continued improving 1/Royal Marine lines.

42. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    20 December 1915

    18 NCOs and men reported for duty from Mudros.

43. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    19 December 1915

    Batt relieved in firing line by 1st Border Regt and Battalion returned to rest camp. Casualties: 1 killed, 1 wounded.

44. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    19 December 1915

    Battalion employed cleaning up lines of 1/Royal Marines. Officers commanding companies were asked to reconnoiter lines held by Scottish Regiments.

45. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    19 December 1915

    Batt moved to new lines at X beach and took over dug outs from R Marine.

46. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    18 December 1915

    Repairs and improvements in left sector to parapets. Fire opened on enemy airplane at 15.15.  Rapid fire on Turkish working party. Casualties: 2 killed, 4 wounded.

47. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    18 December 1915

    Battalion moved onto lines of 1/Royal Marines. 

48. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    17 December 1915

    Parapets on left of sector rebuilt. Work continued on saps. Wire laid out in front of New Fusilier Street. Some sniping and m guns got one or two Turks during the day.

    Casualties: 4 wounded.

49. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    17 December 1915

    Battalion moved into lines of Royal Fusiliers above X beach.

50. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    17 December 1915

    Batts stores and baggage arrive at V Beach.

51. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    16 December 1915

    Work continued on shelter damaged by enemy gun fire. Some sniping and 258 grenades were thrown causing damage to enemy’s parapet. Casualties: 3 Killed, 5 wounded.

52. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    16 December 1915

    Spent the day cleaning and improving our lines. We had some big shells in our lines. Casualties: Nil.

53. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    16 December 1915

    Olive Grove shelled – several casualties.

54. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    15 December 1915

    In Mudros harbour aboard the HMS Hazel. At about 17.30 we landed at Helles and made bivouac at the French HQ

55. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    15 December 1915

    HMS Hazel sailed from Sulva. Arrived in harbour and anchored. Sailed from Lemnos toward Gallipoli. Very rough. 11pm – arrived at V beach and disembarked through River Clyde. Marched to dug outs near Olive Grove.

56. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    15 December 1915

    Construction as above. Grenadiers work destroyed a stretch of enemy parapet. Enemy shelled front line and support trench at 1600 and 1630. 3 shells entering trench. One shell exploded and 4 killed and 2 wounded. 

57. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    14 December 1915

    The Battalion left the reserve nullah at 19.00 and embarked on the HMS Hazel about midnight and arrived at Mudros the next day.

58. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    14 December 1915

    1 Batt paraded. Strength – Off 10, ORs 164. Marched to West Beach and embarked at 11pm on HMS Hazel.

59. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    14 December 1915

    Work continued as above and on shelter trench. Our artillery intermittently shelled enemy trenches. A heavy shell hit parapet. Draft arrived, 1 officer and 21 men from Mudros. 

60. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    13 December 1915

    X and W companies were relived by the Hampshire a regiment and moved to the reserve nullah. Orders received that we will evacuate tomorrow. 

61. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    13 December 1915

    X and W companies were relived by the Hampshire a regiment and moved to the reserve nullah. Orders received that we will evacuate tomorrow. 

62. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    13 December 1915

    Rebuilding parapets and continuing new firing line. Enemy attempted to rebuild their parapet but were made to cease each time. 

63. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    12 December 1915

    Work continued on the 2nd line. Casualties Nil. Heavy shelling.

64. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    12 December 1915

    Working on 2nd line trenches. Hill 10 heavy shelling.

65. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    12 December 1915

    Mine parapet improved. Cookhouse nearing completion. 22 yards of new firing line sapped. Our artillery replied twice to enemy shelling of our support lines. Enemy threw grenades into S Barricade about 1.30. 

66. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    11 December 1915

    We continue to hold No 1 post.Lt Jacobs with X Coy moved up to the firing line. Very little sniping but heavy shelling of Hill 10.

67. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    11 December 1915

    Cleaning of lines continued. Some latrines dug. Parapet and loopholes improved. Very moderate trench filling. About 8.30pm grenades were thrown by enemy into Southern barricade. Some enemy shelling in vicinity of support trench especially about 8.30. Killed 1, wounded 3. 

68. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    10 December 1915

    We continued to hold No 1 post and have established communication with Royal Fusiliers on our left. Very little sniping.

69. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    10 December 1915

    Took over from Hawke Battalion RND from two traverses west of the Denton Line and to U Communication trench. Day spent in attempting to clean up the lines and make latrines sanitary. The lines are in a filthy state and will require much and constant labour to make them at all respectable.

70. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    09 December 1915

    We continue to hold No 1 Post, everything very quiet in the front line. Work continued on 2nd line. Hill 10 rather badly about noon.

71. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    09 December 1915

    Various parties out working on 2nd line trenches.

72. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    09 December 1915

    Company Commander, MG officer, and Grenadier Officers and battalion staff went over the new part of the line to be taken over from the RND. 

73. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    08 December 1915

    The trenches are greatly improved. We are now holding 700x of trench with 5 guards of 6 men each. The remainder of the men have been employed building up parapet and fire step. Turkish deserter surrendered to the first sentry guard of the night. 

74. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    08 December 1915

    Arrived Alexandria.

75. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    08 December 1915

    Fatigues as usual. Draft of one officer and 275 other ranks arrived and put in the lines of the Border Regt for the night. 

76. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    07 December 1915

    We continue to hold No 1 post, men employed in building flood post to hold 20 men each if we have another flood. 21 to hospital (exposure).

77. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    07 December 1915

    Batt moved to reserve nullah. Lt Brown and 26 ORs rejoined.

78. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    07 December 1915

    Fatigues for Division as usual. Nearly every man in the Battalion doing 4 hours digging per day.

79. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    06 December 1915

    We continue to hold Post No 1, the men being employed in collecting equipment, rifles and blankets from the support trenches and evacuating them to the beach. Continued work on 2nd line.

80. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS

    06 December 1915

    Capt Tomlinson and 97 ORs report for duty.

81. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    06 December 1915

    Anniversary of the Battalion leaving India. Calculation of casualties from commencement of campaign  to 16.11.15, including original battalion and drafts sent out.

    Killed in action, dead of wounds, died of disease: 267

    Missing: 79

    Wounded:1,001

    Strength of original Battalion: 990

    Drafts:1,205

    Of the original Battalion that left India 6/12/14 there are now only 2 officers and 118 other ranks left. Of these only 34 have not left the peninsula. 

82. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    05 December 1915

    Very little firing. Turks are busy clearing up their front line trenches. Lt Jacobs was relieved by 2nd Royal Fusiliers at Post No 2. The remainder of the Battalion was placed at the disposal of the CRE for completing the second line of defence at Hill 10.  

83. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

    05 December 1915

    Church parades. The weather a good deal improved. To hospital during the week, 46, including 7 cases of frostbite. Strict instructions issued to minimise the cases of frost bite.

84. 

    1ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS

    04 December 1915

    Lt Scott 7 RS Fusiliers and Lt Robertson 8 RSF working with 56 NCOs and men joined and were taken on strength. Lt Jacobs continues to hold post no. 8, the trenches being thick deep in mud and water after the thaw of yesterday. 84 men went to hospital (exposure).