First World War - Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
In addition to their two Regular battalions, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers raised a number of Service and home based Reserve battalions.
Total - 13:
Regular - 2. Service - 9. Reserve - 2.
1st Battalion.
At the outbreak of war, they were based at Trimulgherrey, India and joined 87th Brigade, 29th Division in January 1915.
In April 1915, they landed with the Division at Cape Helles, Gallipoli. After more than six months on the peninsula, in January 1916, the battalion was evacuated to Egypt and then moved onto France in March.
In February 1918, they transferred to 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division.
2nd Battalion.
At the outbreak of war, they were based in Dover with 12th Brigade, 4th Division and landed in France during August 1914.
After suffering heavy losses, they moved to Army reserve in December 1914, before being transferred the next month to 5th Brigade, 2nd Division.
In July 1915, the battalion was moved to Army reserve and, by the end of the year, had transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division and then onto to 96th Brigade, 32nd Division.
In February 1918, they transferred to 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division.
5th Battalion.
Formed in August 1914, they joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, during August 1915.
In May 1918, the battalion left the 10th (Irish) Division and moved to France, where they transferred to 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division.
6th Battalion.
Formed in August 1914, they joined 31st Brigade. 10th (Irish) Division, and landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, in August 1915.
In May 1918, the battalion left 10th (Irish) Division and moved to France where, in July 1918, they transferred to 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division.
7th Battalion.
Formed in October 1914, they joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and landed in France during February 1916.
In August 1917, the battalion amalgamated with the 8th Bttn to become 7/8th Bttn and, in April 1918, they were reduced to cadre strength after suffering heavy casualties. After being re-established with men from 8th Rifle Brigade, in July 1918, they transferred to 89th Brigade, 30th Division.
8th Battalion.
Formed in October 1914, they joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.
The battalion's record was the same as 7th Bttn before it was amalgamated with 7th Bttn in August 1917.
9th Battalion.
Formed in September 1914 from the Tyrone Volunteers, they joined 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division.
The battalion landed in France during October 1915 and remained with 36th (Ulster) Divison until the end of the war.
10th Battalion.
Formed in September 1914 from the Derry Volunteers, they joined 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division.
The battalion's record was the same as the 9th Bttn when it was disbanded in France during January 1918 with most officers and men being posted to the 2nd Bttn.
11th Battalion.
Formed at Omagh from the Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers, they joined 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division
The battalion's record was the same as the 9th Bttn when it was disbanded in France during January 1918 with most officers and men being posted to them.
13th Battalion.
In June 1918, the 11th Garrison Guard Bttn, which had been formed in France, was attached to 119th Brigade, 40th Division and in July 1918 renamed as the 13th (Service) Bttn.
Victoria Crosses were awarded to eight men, who were serving wih the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the First World War:
Eric Bell, 9th Bttn - 1st July 1916 at Theipval, France.
James Duffy, 6th Bttn - 27th December 1917 at Kareina Peak, Palestine.
James Emerson, 9th Bttn - 6th December 1917 at La Vacquerie, France.
Norman Harvey, 1st Bttn - 25th October 1918 at Ingoyghem, Belgium.
Gerald O'Sullivan, 1st Bttn - 1st/2nd July 1915 at Gallipoli, Turkey.
Ernest Seaman, 2nd Bttn - 29th September 1918 at Terhand, Belgium.
John Sherwood-Kelly, 1st Bttn - 20th November 1917 at Marcoing, France.
James Somers, 1st Bttn - 1st/2nd July 1915 at Gallipoli, Turkey.
5,938 men from the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers are listed in the CWGC database of First World War deaths:
Figures as per 2014.
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