First World War - Royal Munster Fusiliers.

 

In addition to their two Regular battalions, the Royal Munster Fusiliers raised a number of Service, and home based Reserve and Garrison battalions:

Total - 11:

Regular - 2. Service - 4. Reserve - 3. Garrison - 2.

 

1st Battalion.


At the outbreak of war, they were based at Rangoon in Burma and joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division in January 1915.

 

In March 1915, the battalion sailed to Gallipoli and landed at Cape Helles on April 1915. After suffering heavy casualties, for two weeks they formed one composite unit with 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which was known as the 'Dubsters.' After the battalion was re-established, they stayed on the peninsula for another seven months before being evacuated to Egypt in January 1916.

 

In March 1916, they sailed to France and transferred in May to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and, at the same time, absorbed troops from the disbanded 9th Bn.

 

Later in the year, they transferred to 47th Brigade and again absorbed troops, this time from the disbanded 8th Bttn.

 

In April 1918, they absorbed troops from the 2nd Bttn before transferring to 172nd Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.

 

2nd Battalion.


At the outbreak of war, they were based at Aldershot as part of of 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division and arrived in France during August 1914.

 

After suffering heavy casualties at Etreux in September, the battalion left the Division and went into reserve before being transferred to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division later in the year

 

In May 1916, they absorbed troops from the disbanded 9th Bttn.

 

In February 1918, they transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and later absorbed the 19th Entrenching Battalion. 

 

After being reduced to cadre in April 1918, their surplus troops went to the 1st Bttn, before the remaining unit transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division.

 

In June 1918, the battalion was rebuilt by receiving troops from the disbanded 6th Bttn and in July it was transferred to 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

 

6th Battalion.


Formed in August 1914, they joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and, in July 1915, sailed to Gallipoli and landed at Suvla Bay in early August.

 

The battalion moved  with the Division to Salonika in October 1915.
In November 1916, they absorbed the 7th Bttn and, in September 1917, moved to Palestine.

 

In April 1918, they left 10th (Irish) Division and arrived in France in June. Most men were then absorbed by the 2nd Bttn and the battalion was finally disbanded in August 1918.

 

7th Battalion.


Formed in August 1914, they joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division.

 

The battalion had the same record as the 6th Bttn, until it was absorbed by it in November 1916.

 

8th Battalion.


Formed in October 1914, they joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and landed in France during December 1915.

 

In May 1916, the battalion absorbed men from the disbanded 9th Bttn, before they were themselves disbanded in France during November 1916 with its troops going to the 1st Bttn.

 

9th Battalion.


Formed in October 1914, they joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and they landed in France during December 1915.

 

In May 1916, the battalion was disbanded in France with its troops going to the 1st, 2nd and 8th Bttns.

 

The Victoria Cross was awarded to three men, who were serving with the Royal Munster Fusiliers during the First World War:

 

Arthur Batten-Pooll, 2nd Bttn - 25th June 1916 at Colonne, France.

 

William Cosgrove, 1st Bttn - 26th April 1915 at Gallipoli, Turkey.

 

Martin Doyle, 1st Bttn - 2nd September 1918 at Reincourt, France.

 

2,939 men from the Royal Munster Fusiliers are listed in the CWGC database of First World War deaths:

 

1914 - 233.

 

1915 - 1,015.

 

1916 - 764.

 

1917 - 342.

 

1918, up to 11th Nov - 499.

 

After 11th Nov 1918 - 86.

 

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