First World War - Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
In addition to their two Regular battalions, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers raised a number of Service and home based Reserve battalions.
Total - 11:
Regular - 2. Service - 5. Reserve - 4.
1st Battalion.
At the outbreak of war, they were based at Madras in India and joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division before sailing for Gallipoli in March 1915 and landed at Cape Helles during April 1915.
Following heavy casualties during May, for a short period, the battalion and 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers formed one composite unit, known as the 'Dubsters' before being soon reestablished.
After eight months on the Gallipoli peninsula, they were eventually evacuated to Egypt in January 1916 before sailing onto France.
In October 1917, they transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and in February 1918, they absorbed men from the disbanded 8th/9th Bttns.
In April 1918, the battalion amalgamated with the 2nd Bttn but were soon reconstituted after taking men from the 2nd Bttn (which was then reduced to cadre strength) before they transferred back to 86th Brigade, 29th Division during April 1918.
2nd Battalion.
At the outbreak of war, they were based in Gravesend and, as part of 10th Brigade, 4th Division, arrived in France during August 1914.
In November 1916, the battalion was transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.
In February 1918, along with the 1st Bttn, they absorbed men from the disbanded 8th/9th Bttn but, when amalgamated with the 1st Bttn in April, the battalion was reduced to cadre strength.
In June 1918, the cadre transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division before the battalion was reconstituted by absorbing troops from the 7th Bttn. After being transferred to Army Reserve in July 1918, the battalion joined 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division
6th Battalion.
Formed in August 1914, they joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division.
before sailing to Gallipoli in July 1915 and landed at Suvla Bay during August.
In October 1915, the battalion moved with 10th (Irish) Division to Salonika. After two years in the region, the Division moved to Palestine in September 1917.
In April 1918 the battalion left the division, arrivng in France during July 1918
and then transferred to 197th (and then 198th) Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.
7th Battalion.
Formed in August 1914, they joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division.
Their record is the same as the 6th Bttn until they were reduced to cadre strength in France during June 1918, with men then going to the 2nd Bttn. The cadre then returned to England and was absorbed into 11th Bttn, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
8th Battalion.
Formed in September 1914, they joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.
and landed in France during December 1915.
In October 1917 the battalion amalgamated with the 9th Bttn to form the 8/9th Bttn.
They were disbanded in France during February 1918 with men going to both the 1st and 2nd Bttns.
9th Battalion.
Formed in September 1914, they joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.
The battalion's record is the same as the 8th Bttn. and the battalion ceased to exist when the combined 8/9th Bttn was formed.
10th Battalion.
Formed in late 1915, they landed in France in August 1916 and joined 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.
In June 1917, the battalion transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and in October, absorbed troops from the 8/9th Bttn
They were disbanded in France during February 1918, with men going to 19th Entrenching Battalion.
The Victoria Cross was awarded to three men, who were serving wth the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during the First World War:
Horace Curtis, 2nd Bttn - 18th October 1918 at Le Cateau, France.
Robert Downie, 2nd Bttn - 23rd October 1916 at Lesboeufs, France.
James Ockendon, 1st Bttn - 4th October 1917 at Langemarck, Belgium.
There are 4,944 men from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers listed on the CWGC database of First World War deaths:
Figures as stated in 2014.
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