First World War - Tyneside Irish.
The Tyneside Irish, as part of the Northumberland Fusiliers, formed the four battalions of 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.
After suffering heavy casualties at the Somme during 1916, two of their battalions were amalgamated in 1917 and by the end of the war, there was only one battalion remaining in service.
24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Irish).
They were formed in November 1914, and joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915.
The Brigade landed in France in January 1916 and took part in actions at the Somme during July and September 1916 and in the following year at Arras.
In August 1917, the battalion amalgamated with 27th Bttn to form 24/27th Bttn before the joint battalion was disbanded during February 1918.
25th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Irish).
They were formed in November 1914, and joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.
The Brigade landed in France in January 1916 and was initially in action at the Somme on 1st July 1916.
In February 1918, the battalon transferred to 102nd Brigade before being reduced to cadre strength in May 1918, and then transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division. They then transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division before that brigade was transferred to Army reserve in September 1918.
26th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Irish).
They were formed in November 1914 and joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915.
The Brigade landed in France in January 1916 and was initially in action at the Somme on 1st July 1916.
The battalion was disbanded in France during February 1918.
27th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Irish).
They were formed in January 1915, and joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915.
The Brigade landed in France in January 1916 and was initially in action at the Somme on 1st July 1916.
In August 1917, the battalion amalgamated with 24th Bttn to form 24/27th Bttn before the joint battalion disbanded during February 1918.
The Victoria Cross was awarded to two men, who were serving with the Tyneside Irish during the First World War:
Thomas Bryan, 2nd Bttn - 9th April 1917 at Arras, France.
Ernest Sykes, 4tn Bttn - 9th April 1917 at Arras, France.
According to the CWGC database, over 2,000 men from the Tyneside Irish died during the First World War, a large proportion of whom died at the Somme on 1st July 1916.
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