WAR DIARY OF THE 1ST REGIMENT NORTH IRISH HORSE[1]

10 MAY 1916 TO 31 MARCH 1918

 

The following Unit War Diary of the 1st Regiment North Irish Horse covers the period
from its formation in May 1916 to the time it was dismounted.

[1] Official War Diaries (Ref. WO 95/874, 816) signed by Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Michael Cole, Viscount, commanding 1st North Irish Horse (formerly commanding A Squadron,
North Irish Horse), from 1 June 1916 to 31 July 1917.  Months of August and December 1917 signed on Cole's behalf by Walter Ashley Montgomery, Captain and Adjutant
(arrived in France as a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 May 1915) and January, February and March 1918 by Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) the Honourable Allan [Arthur?] Hamilton Russell,
formerly Commanding D Squadron North Irish Horse, arrived France 1 May 1915.

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

May 1916[2]

[2] The 1st Regiment North Irish Horse was formed on 10 May 1916. However no Regimental Diary was kept until the following month.

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

June 1916

1-17

Gro(?)s. Corps Cavalry duties and training.

18

D Squadron detached to 46th Division Provost duties.

E Squadron detached to 56th Division Provost duties.

A Squadron less two Troops to 37th Division Provost duties.

Headquarters and two Troops A Squadron remaining for duties with VII Corps.

19-22

–

23

Headquarters and two Troops A Squadron marched to Pas.

24-28

–

29

Pas. Prisoners' internment camp taken over.

30

Pas. Guards and escorts furnished.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

July 1916

 

Pas. Corps Cavalry duties.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

August 1916

 

Pas. Corps Cavalry duties.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

September 1916

1-3

Pas. Corps Cavalry duties.

4

Marched to Coullemont.

5-9

Coullemont. Corps Cavalry duties.

10

Marched to Humbercourt.

11-30

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties. Regimental and Corps training.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

October 1916

 

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties. Squadron, Regimental and Corps Troops training.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

November 1916

 

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

December 1916

 

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

January 1917

 

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

February 1917

 

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

March 1917

 

Humbercourt. Corps Cavalry duties.

On 22nd the whole Regiment was detached for traffic control under Assistant Provost Marshall VII Corps with the exception of one Troop (attached to 30th Division for tactical purposes) and Regimental Headquarters staff.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

April 1917

 

Traffic control under Assistant Provost Marshall VII Corps.

Humbercourt. 24 April 1917. 11am. Headquarters of Regiment marched from Humbercourt to Monchiet.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

May 1917

 

Monchiet. 1-31 May. Three Troops attached to Headquarters 14th, 18th and 33rd Divisions for tactical purposes.

1-25 May. Nine Troops traffic control Assistant Provost Marshall VII Corps.

Bretencourt. 26-31 May. One Squadron released from traffic control for training.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII Corps Cavalry Regiment

June 1917

 

x.10.b.8.5. 1-30 June 1917. Three Troops employed on duties under Assistant Provost Marshall VII Corps, 18th Division, 21st Division, 33rd Division.

14 June 1917. Three Troops attached to Headquarters 14th, 18th, 33rd Divisions for tactical purposes rejoined Regiment.

15 June 1917. Headquarters of Regiment marched from Monchiet to x.10.b.8.5.

15-30 June 1917. The Regiment less three Troops under special training for trench warfare.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

VII & XIX Corps Cavalry Regiment

July 1917

1-8

Special training for trench warfare.

9-12

Resumed Cavalry training under Instructor from Cavalry Corps.

13

Under VII Corps Order No.167 of 12 July 1917 marched from x.10.b.8.5 to Aubigny

14

Marched from Aubigny to Allouagne.

15

Marched from Allouagne to Morbecque.

16

Marched from Morbecque to k.9.c.9.9 Map 27. Taken on strength of XIX Corps as Corps Cavalry.

17-29

Resumed Cavalry training under Instructor from Cavalry Corps.

30

Under XIX Corps Operation Order No.73 of 22 July 1917 the Regiment marched to bivouac at (?).7.d.3.3.Map 28 NW.

31

Regiment marched from bivouac to a point west of Goldfish Chateau.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

XIX Corps Cavalry Regiment

August 1917

1

Map 28 NW, G.7.a.3.3. Regiment marched from its bivouac to its billets at K.9.

2

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

3

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

4

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training. Commenced signal training, one Troop from detached duty Assistant Provost Marshall.

5

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

6

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training. Two Troops proceeded to detached duty with 16th and 36th Divisions. Working party 22 Other Ranks Town Major' Ypres relieved.

7

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

8

Map 27 K.9. Working party consisting of two Officers and sixty Other Ranks proceeded to 16th and 36th Divisions.

9

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

10

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

11

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

12

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

13

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

14

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training.

15

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training. One Troop to detached duty with Assistant Provost Marshall XIX Corps.

16

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training. Working party with Town Major Ypres relieved.

17

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training. Signal training ceased.

18

Map 27 K.9. Cavalry training. One Troop proceeded to XIX Corps School.

19

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

20

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

21

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

22

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

23

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements. Working parties with 15th and 61st Divisions relieved.

24

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

25

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

26

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

27

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

28

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

29

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

30

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

31

Map 27 K.9. Training under Squadron arrangements.

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

XIX & V Corps Cavalry Regiment

September 1917

1

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

2

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

3

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

4

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

5

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements. Sixty-seven Other Ranks supernumerary to Est[ablishment] proceeded to 36 Infantry Base Depot.

6

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements. Ten Other Ranks working party Ypres wounded ((shell? p?)).

7

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

8

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

9

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

10

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

11

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

12

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

13

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements. Two Officers fifty Other Ranks to detached duty Assistant Director Signals V Corps.

14

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

15

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

16

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

17

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

18

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

19

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

20

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

21

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements. One Officer fifty Other Ranks to detached duty Prisoners of War. One officer twenty Other Ranks to 55th Division. One Officer twenty Other Ranks to 9th Division.

22

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

23

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

24

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

25

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

26

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

27

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

28

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Parades under Squadron arrangements.

29

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Advance party consisting of one Officer and ten Other Ranks proceeded from K.9.c.9.9 (Sheet 27) to N.13.d.9.9 to take over new billets.

30

Sheet 27. K.9.c.9.9. Regiment marched from K.9.c.9.9 (Sheet 27) to N.13.d.9.9 (Sheet 27).

 

 

1st North Irish Horse

V Corps Cavalry Regiment

October 1917

1-9

Bussycheure. Squadron training.

10

Molinghem. Marched from Bussycheure to Molinghem.

11

Divion. Marched from Molinghem to Divion.

12-31

Divion. Continued training.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

V Corps Cavalry Regiment

November 1917

1

Divion. Squadron training.

2-10

–

11

Divion. Squadron training.

12

Divion. Marched to Etree-Wamin under V Corps Operation Order No.180 d/ 10 November 1917.

13

Etree-Wamin. Marched to Sarton.

14

Sarton. Marched to Ribemont.

15

Ribemont. Squadron training.

16

Ribemont. Marched to Dernancourt.

17

Dernancourt. Training.

18

Dernancourt. Training.

19

Dernancourt. Marched to Bapaume.

20

Bapaume. Regiment less one Squadron attached to 40th Division for tactical duties, remaining Squadron left at disposal of 5th Corps.

21-25

Bapaume. Regiment stood by ready to move at one hour's notice

26

Bapaume. Regiment recalled from 40th Division to V Corps. Training resumed.

27

Bapaume. Marched to Sarton.

28-30

Bapaume [sic]. Training continued.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

V Corps Cavalry Regiment

December 1917

1-8

Sarton. Training continued.

[On 4 December] Two Troops, complete, employed at Headquarters V Corps.

9-21

[9 December] Sarton. Five Officers and 123 Other Ranks employed under 59th Division for work on the Bilhem–Chapel Wood switch. The Hotchkiss Gunners forming a permanent Garrison in the line.

[9 to 21 December] Sarton. Commander of Regiment resumed training during afternoons.

22

Sarton. Marched from Sarton to Barly.

23

Barly. Resumed usual routine of work, one man to four horses.

24

Barly. Four Officers and 110 Other Ranks returned to Unit from 59th Division.

25-26

–

27-31

Barly. Three Officers and 76 Other Ranks employed under the 63rd Division for work, on the Bilhem–Chapel Wood switch.

The Hotchkiss Gunners employed at V Corps Headquarters.

Resumed training during afternoon.


 

 

1st North Irish Horse

V Corps Cavalry Regiment

January 1918

1-5

Barly. Training during afternoons continued.

6

Barly. Two Officers and 7(1?) Other Ranks transferred from 59th Division for duty under Assistant Provost Marshall V Corps.

7

The Hotchkiss Gunners under the command of Lieutenant Hodson[3] lent to 17th Division for the defence of Hermies in reserve line.

8-26

Training as above continued.

27

Hotchkiss Gunners relieved for one week and billeted at Headquarters V Corps.

28-29

Training.

30

Lieutenant A.P Noyce[4] relieved Lieutenant Hodson in command of Hotchkiss Guns.

31

Training.

 

[3] Donald O’Neill Hodson, Lieutenant then Captain, North Irish Horse.

[4] A.P Noyce, Lieutenant North Irish Horse, previously Private in Rhodesia Regiment 54.

 

1st North Irish Horse

V Corps Cavalry Regiment

February 1918

1-17

Barly. Training continued.

18

Barly. Officer Commanding the Regiment informed by G.S. [General Staff?] V Corps of the conversion of the Regiment, into North Irish Cyclist Regiment.

19

Barly. Letter from Commander-in-Chief British Armies in France promulgated to the Regiment, expressing his appreciation of the Regiment during its service as a Mounted Unit.

20-23

–

24

Barly. Fourteen Riders Class III, ten Pack, twenty Light Draught, transferred to Field Remount Section.

25

–

26

Barly. One hundred and thirty-four Riders Class I, twelve Greys and eighteen Chargers transferred to 2nd Cavalry Divisions.

27-28

Barly. Returning to ordnance all stores on Mobilization Store Table.
 

 

1st North Irish Horse

V Corps Cavalry Regiment & V Corps Cyclist Battalion

March 1918

1-13

Barly. Regiment employed forming new establishment.

173 Riders transferred to Base Remount Section Marseilles.

21 Vehicles transferred to A.H Transport Abbeville.

38 Draught Horses transferred to A.H Transport Abbeville.

13 Horses to Veterinary Hospital Abbeville.

10 Army Service Corps Drivers transferred to A.H Transport Abbeville.

9 Officers and 63 Other Ranks transferred Machine Gun Base Depot Camiers.

3 Other Ranks to British Cavalry Base Depot Rouen.

14

Barly. Regiment moved by train from Barly to Bapaume and marched to Villers-au-Flos.

15-20

Villers-au-Flos. Regiment employed re-equiping as Cyclists and training under Squadron arrangements.

21-22

Villers-au-Flos. Regiment held in readiness to move at short notice owing to tactical reasons.

23

Morlancourt. Regiment retired on Morlancourt. No.H/71525 Private Rainey J[5], H/71529 Private Laughlin J[6] wounded.

24

Morlancourt. At 11.45pm Regiment retired to Toutencourt. No.H/71689 Sergeant McNabb S.C[7], H/71593 (Sergeant?) Cassidy C[8], H/71074 Private Matchett S[9] wounded.

25

Morlancourt [sic]. Regiment marched to Pas, was ordered to withdraw, rested the night Terramesnil.

26

Rubempre. Regiment marched to Rubempre 11.55am. Killed H/71643 Private Armstrong[10], H/71655 Private Durneen J[11],

27

Rubempre. Regiment employed on traffic duties and training Lewis Gunners. H/71096 Corporal McCormick[12] killed.

28-31

Regiment chiefly employed as Corps guides, traffic control duties and runners to V Corps (Headquarters?).

[5] Private James Rainey North Irish Horse (No.1729), Corps of Hussars (No.71525).

[6] Private James Laughlin North Irish Horse (No.1735), Corps of Hussars (No.71529).

[7] Sergeant Samuel C McNabb North Irish Horse and Corps of Hussars (No.71689).

[8] Private Victor E Cassidy North Irish Horse (No.1854), Corps of Hussars (No.71593).

[9] Private Samuel Matchett North Irish Horse (No.694), Corps of Hussars (No.71074).

[10] Private Reginald George Armstrong North Irish Horse (No.1950), Corps of Hussars (No.71643), E Squadron, aged 20, born St George Dublin, enlisted Antrim (Glasnaris), son of Charles B Armstrong, Beechfield House, Clontarf, Dublin, buried Toutencourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, Grave I.B.2A.

[11] Private John James Durneen North Irish Horse and Corps of Hussars (No.71655), A Squadron, aged 21, born Clogher, enlisted Antirm (Clogher), son of James and M.E Durneen, Clogher, County Tyrone, buried Toutencourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, Grave I.B.2.

[12] Corporal Thomas John McCormick North Irish Horse (No.759), Corps of Hussars (No.71096), born Fermongan, enlisted Castlederg, buried Senlis
Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, Grave II.C.2, arrived France August 1914, probably with A Squadron North Irish Horse.

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