London Irish Rifles - Second World War

Second World War

In April 1939, the establishment of the Territorial Army was doubled and the 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles was reformed, initially as a component unit of the 47th (London) Division.

The 70th Battalion, a Young Soldiers company of the London Irish Rifles, was also formed early in 1940, and set up for men between the ages of eighteen and nineteen and a half. Its objective was to train them to the highest standard of drill, skill-at-arms, discipline and turnout in preparation for the time when they would be fit to take their place within the 1st and 2nd Battalions. The 70th Battalion ceased to exist in January 1943, when all such units were disbanded

A company of the 1st Battalion was involved in the Battle of Graveney Marsh, in September 1940 the last ground combat between a foreign invading force and British troops that happened on British mainland soil.

The 1st Battalion left England in August 1942 to serve in Iraq and Italy, and the 2nd Battalion sailed to North Africa in November 1942 before taking part in the Tunisian and Italian campaigns.

The 1st Battalion formed part of the 168th Infantry Brigade within the 56th (London) Infantry Division, taking part in major actions in Italy at Fosso Bottacetto south of Catania, Monte Camino, Monte Damiano, the Garagliano Crossing and Aprilia (Anzio), and at the Gothic Line before taking part in the final Allied offensive in Northern Italy.

In the month that they spent in the Anzio beachhead, the battalion's casualties were 32 officers and 550 other ranks killed, wounded and missing. When embarking for rest at Pozzuoli near Naples, the Battalion numbered just 12 Officers and 300 Other Ranks, some of which had returned from hospital to rejoin the battalion.

During the action at Anzio, the following awards were issued;

Bar to Military Cross (MC): Major W E Brooks

Military Cross: Captain A Mace, Captain D A Hardy, Captain G R H Mullins, Captain R M Haigh, Lieutenant L Rue.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM): Company Serjeant Major F Kelly, Serjeant HF Guy.

Military Medal (MM): Serjeant A Marson Corporal C Wilson Corporal C Hill.

The 2nd Battalion formed part of the 38th (Irish) Brigade, initially as part of 6th Armoured Division and later within the 78th Infantry Division, and was in front line service from November 1942 to May 1945 throughout Tunisia and Italy including taking part in major actions at Bou Arada, Heidous, Centuripe, Termoli, Sangro River, the Liri Valley, Trasimeno, Monte Spaduro and at the Argenta Gap. The battalion garrisoned parts of Austria in the immediate post war period.

Over 600 London Irishmen were killed during the conflict.

The two battalions of the London Irish Rifles gained a total of 40 battle honours during the Second World War: "Bou Arada" "El Hadjeba" "Stuka Farm" "Heidous" "North Africa, 1942-43" "Lentini" "Simeto Bridgehead" "Adrano" "Centuripe" "Salso Crossing" "Simeto Crossing" "Malletto" "Pursuit to Messina" "Sicily, 1943" "Termoli" "Trigno" "Sangro" "Fossacesia" "Teano" "Monte Camino" "Calabritto" "Garigliano Crossing" "Damiano" "Anzio" "Carroceto" "Cassino II" "Casa Sinagoga" "Liri Valley" "Trasimene Line" "Sanfatucchio" "Coriano" "Croce" "Senio Floodbank" "Rimini Line" "Ceriano Ridge" "Monte Spaduro" "Monte Grande" "Valli di Comacchio" "Argenta Gap" "Italy, 1943-45".

The following honours and awards were won by men of the London Irish Rifles during 1939-45: DSO - 6, MC - 46 (4 with bar), DCM - 12, MM - 55, American Silver Star - 2, American Bronze Star - 2, Mentioned In Despatches - 103 (1 twice), GM - 2, BEM - 2, MBE - 2.