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10th (Irish) Division  Divisional History  The 10th (Irish) Division in 1914-1918 The history of 10th (Irish) Division The Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Irish Command. After initial training at the regimental depots, the units of the Division moved in 1915 to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare, where training in Brigade strength began. In May 1915 the Division moved to England and concentrated around Basingstoke. It was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Hackwood Park on 28/29 May 1915. On 27 June1915, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli. 1915 and 1916 Divisional HQ embarked at Liverpool on 9 July, and by the end of the month most units had assembled on Lemnos. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed at Suvla Bay, less 29th Brigade which went to ANZAC Cove. The main body made an attack on Chocolate Hill 7/8 August. Parts of 29th Brigade took part in actions on Sari Bair 6-10 August and at Hill 60 later that month. On 29 September 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Mudros. On the 4-5 October it went on to Salonika, landing there 5-10 October. It took part on 7 and 8 December 1915 in the action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Brigades of the Division were in action at the Karajakois (30 September to 2 October 1915) and Yenikoi (3-4 October 1915). Salonika 1917 and 1918 On 18 August 1917, the Division was ordered to concentrate at the port of Salonika for embarakation. Early in September it moved to Egypt, completing assembly near Rafa by 16 October 1917. The Division was involved in the Palestine campaign thereafter. Between April and June 1918, a major reorganisation took place as many British units were replaced by Indian ones. On 12 November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, ready for moving back to Egypt. By 1 December it was at Cairo. From 1915 to 1918 the Division suffered a total of 9,363 officers and men killed, wounded or missing in action. The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 10th (Irish) Division. 29th Brigade 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Regt left June 1915 6th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles disbanded 15 May 1918 5th Bn, the Connaught Rangers left 29 April 1918 6th Bn, the Leinster Regt left 2 May 1918 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regt joined March 1915, left November 1916 1st Bn, the Leinster Regt joined November 1916 29th Machine Gun Company formed 10 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 1918 29th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 October 1916 (title up to 8 December 1916 was No 7 Stokes Mortar Battery). It was merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917 1/54th Sikhs joined 27 April 1918 1/101st Grenadiers joined 30 April 1918 2/151st Infantry joined 10 June1918 30th Brigade 6th Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers left 30 April 1918 7th Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers absorbed by 6th Bn, 3 November 1916 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left 27 May 1918 7th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left 30 April 1918 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Regt joined 3 November 1916 30th Machine Gun Company formed 10 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 1918 30th Trench Mortar Battery joined 28 September 1916 (title up to 8 December 1916 was No 8 Stokes Mortar Battery). It was merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917 38th Dogras joined 29 April 1918 46th Punjabis joined 25 May 1918 1st Kashmir Rifles joined 30 April 1918 31st Brigade 5th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left 28 May 1918 6th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left 2 May 1918 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers left 30 April 1918 6th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers absorbed by 5th Bn 2 November 1916 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 2 November 1916 31st Machine Gun Company formed 11 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 19188 31st Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 October 1916 and merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917 38th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers joined 11 June 1918, left 17 July 1918 2/42nd Deoli joined 18 July 1918 74th Punjabis joined 29 April 1918 2/101st Grenadiers joined 1 May 1918 Divisional Troops 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1915, left April 1918 Divisional Trench Mortar Battery formed 17 October 1917, broken up 9 June 1918 Divisional Mounted Troops 10th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 7 December 1916 Divisional Artillery LIV Brigade, RFA left for 28th Division 29 August 1917 LV Brigade, RFA left for 13th Division January 1916 LVI Brigade, RFA left for 13th Division January 1916 LVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left for XII Corps artillery 28 August 1917 10th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA the original column did not go overseas with the Division. The Column formerly with 29th Division joined in Egypt in October 1915. Suffered losses when transport "Marquette" torpedoed off Salonika on 23 October. Numbers were made up by men, horses and equipment from 42nd Division Ammunition Column. Formally renumbered 10th DAC on 4 March 1916 LXVII Brigade, RFA joined from 13th Division October 1915 LXVIII Brigade, RFA joined from 13th Division October 1915 10th Heavy Battery RGA joined March 1915, left by 10 August 1915 15th Heavy Battery RGA joined 10 August 1915, left by 19 December 1915 IV (Highland) Mountain Bde, RGA joined 13 August 1915 2nd Mountain Battery RGA joined 30 December 1915, left for 27th Division 27 February 1916 CXXXII (Howitzer) Bde, RFA joined 26 April 1916, broekn upo 25 January 1917 Hong Kong & Singapore Mountain Battery RGA joined 1 September 1918, left 26 October 1918 Royal Engineers 65th Field Company left 14 July 1918 66th Field Company 85th Field Company joined January 1915 10th Divisional Signals Company 18/3 Sappers & Miners joined by 17 July 1918 Royal Army Medical Corps 30th Field Ambulance 31st Field Ambulance 32nd Field Ambulance When the Division was Indianised, the three Field Ambulances above handed over all stores and equipment to the 154th, 166th and 165th Camel Field Ambulances and left on 20 May 1918, going to base 21st Sanitary Section left 31 July 1915, rejoined October 1915, left again 22 October 1917 18th Sanitary Section joined 22 October 1917 Other Divisional Troops 10th Divisional Train ASC 108, 109, 110 and 111 Companies. Did not move overseas with the Irish Division and transferred to 22nd Division. Replaced by 52nd Divisional Train (471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies) in October 1915 25th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 212th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917 10th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained with original Divisional Train when it left 1st Jun 1915 Lord Kitchener inspects 10th Division  Lord Kitchener inspects 10th Division at Hackwood Park. 5th Aug 1915 On the Move 5th Aug 1915 Orders 5th Aug 1915 Landing 7th Aug 1915 In Action 7th Aug 1915 In Action 7th Aug 1915 On the Move 8th Aug 1915 Counter Attack 8th Aug 1915 Holding the Line 8th Aug 1915 Wounded and Sick 9th Aug 1915 Orders Received 9th Aug 1915 Reliefs 9th Aug 1915 Attack 9th Aug 1915 Reliefs 10th Aug 1915 Shelter 10th Aug 1915 Attack Made 10th Aug 1915 In Action 10th Aug 1915 Attack 10th Aug 1915 Hard Fighting 11th Aug 1915 Equipment 11th Aug 1915 Reliefs 12th Aug 1915 Attack Made 12th Aug 1915 Sick and Wounded 13th Aug 1915 In Reserve 13th Aug 1915 Touch Attempted 13th Aug 1915 Sick and Wounded 14th Aug 1915 Confusion 14th Aug 1915 Confusion 15th Aug 1915 Attack Made 15th Aug 1915 Poor Communications 16th Aug 1915 Counter Attack 16th Aug 1915 Information 17th Aug 1915 Reliefs 18th Aug 1915 Reorganisation 19th Aug 1915 Working Parties 23rd Aug 1915 Praise Sep 1917 On the Move October 1915 On the Move 5th Oct 1915 On the Move 18th of November 1915 Orders 10th September 1916 Attack Made 15th Mar 1917 Outposts 28th Mar 1917 Attack Made 29th Mar 1917 Raid 31st Mar 1917 Recce 5th May 1917 Attack Made 6th May 1917 Counter Attack 13th May 1917 Bombardment 15th May 1917 Attack Made 16th May 1917 Counter Attack 18th August 1917 Orders 18th Aug 1917 Inferno 1st Sep 1917 On the Move 5th Sep 1917 On the Move 22nd Sep 1917 On the Move 24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 21st Jan 1918 Course 5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 13th Feb 1918 Personnel 21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 8th Mar 1918 Hard Fighting Apr 1918 Reorganisation 6th of April 1918 Line Adjustments   9th April 1918 Attack Made 10th of April 1918 Under Attack   21st September 1918 Battle of Megiddo 30th of September 1918 Orders   12th of October 1918    If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 10th (Irish) Division? There are:75 items tagged 10th (Irish) Division available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with 10th (Irish) Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Baird James Fitzhenry. Pte. (d.1st Nov 1917) Barnwell John. Mjr. 6th Btn. Barry Joseph. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.17th Oct 1918) Flanagan Robert. Pte. 30th Coy (d.7th Oct 1916) Gilligan Thomas. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.15th Aug 1915) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2023 marks 24 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. 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If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. 1206265 Pte. Thomas Gilligan 6th Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.15th Aug 1915) Thomas Gilligan – my Great Grandfather – was born on 21 October 1871, one of four children and the only son of Thomas and Catherine Gilligan (nee Wright), of Wicklow, County Wicklow in Ireland. No information is known about Thomas’ early education or his interests and hobbies however we do know that in Dublin; on 11 November 1893; Thomas enlisted as Private 4003 in the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, joining the battalion at Newry two days later. His surviving attestation papers state his civilian profession as painter and he is described as being 5’ 4” in height with red hair and grey eyes. Thomas spent his first year on home service however on 10 November 1894 he commenced a prolonged period of active service in India; returning home on 15 February 1899. In November of the same year Thomas was again on active service; this time in South Africa during the Boer War where he remained until 10 September 1902. For the remaining period Thomas was on home service until 10 November 1905 when he received his discharge; thus beginning 5 years in the reserves. Thomas married Rachel White, a Nursery Maid, in 1907 and together they raised four children while living in Dublin – the eldest being my grandfather George William Gilligan (b 1908); also Frederick (b 1911), Thomas (b 1909) and Annie (known in the family as Nancy) (b 1914). At the outbreak of war in August 1914 Thomas re-enlisted; this time as Private 13757 in the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. Now aged 42; Thomas marched through the streets of Dublin to the docks en route to Liverpool with his battalion. This was the last time he would be seen by his 6 year old son George who could recall walking alongside the column. The battalion was part of the 10th (Irish) Division; part of Kitcheners New Army made up generally of raw recruits with a sprinkling of older men who had already seen military service (i.e. Boer War and India) and who had either been recalled to the colours or had volunteered on the outbreak of war. With his age and prior military service it can easily be imagined that Thomas would have been looked up to by many of the younger men for guidance and support as they went through their training at Basingstoke The 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers received orders to embark for service in the Dardanelles on 9 July 1915 as part of the 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. At the time the battalion was with the rest of the 10th (Irish) Division (less Divisional Artillery which had been sent to France previously) in Basingstoke having just completed their training. The battalion left Basingstoke in successive train loads on 12 July arriving at Keyham Dockyard, Plymouth where they were to embark upon the SS Canada. Owing to non-arrival of the vessel, the battalion located to a rest camp at Pull Point, Devonport overnight. On 13 July the battalion and ammunition column commenced embarkation upon the SS Canada, setting sail the following day at 5pm. The vessel passed Gibraltar on 18 July and arrived in Malta on 21 July for coaling. The vessel then sailed for Alexandria; arriving on 24 July. On 26 July the vessel arrived at Mudros Harbour, Lemnos Island and during the period to 31 July the battalion participated in the disembarkation and sorting of stores and equipment; it having been recognised that equipment had not been loaded securely or in the correct order. On the evening of 31 July the SS Canada sailed for Mytilene Harbour, Lesbos Island arriving on the 1st August. During the next few days the battalion undertook route marches around the island. On 5 August the battalion received orders to be prepared to move by 12 noon the following day to a destination not yet stated. At 5-30 pm on 6 August the battalion sailed to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli aboard the minesweepers “Snaefell” and “Honeysuckle”. At this time the battalion comprised 778 officers and other ranks. At 4-35am on 7 August the “Snaefell” and “Honeysuckle” arrived off Suvla Bay under heavy shrapnel fire. A landing was made at 8-30am with the battalion going into action in support of the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and East Yorkshire Regiment at 9am the same morning. On its first day of action the battalion suffered casualties of 1 officer wounded, 12 other ranks killed and 76 other ranks wounded or missing. Overnight the battalion occupied trenches atop Hill 53 and during the following days provided support and reinforcement to other troops attacking Hill 70. During the period 8 to 9 August the battalion suffered further casualties of 5 officers killed, 12 officers wounded or missing, 12 other ranks killed and 220 other ranks wounded or missing. The battalion was suffering from the environment in which they were serving and existed on the “iron” rations with which they had landed since no supplies were able to get to them. Having received supplies late on the 9th August; the battalion held Hill 53 until relieved by the Essex Regiment on the 10th August. The battalion was rested in reserve lines for the next few days. The battalion moved into support trenches on 13 August and the following day received reinforcements of 5 officers and 159 other ranks from the battalion reserve at Mudros. During 15 to 16 August the battalion was engaged in heavy fighting against Turkish Infantry. It was during this action that Thomas Gilligan was killed; one amongst 10 officers and 210 other ranks killed, wounded or missing in the battalion during the engagement on the Kiretch Tepe Ridge. Thomas Gilligan’s body was never recovered however his name is recorded on the Helles Memorial and in his local church at St Stephens in Dublin. On 1 September the battalion was now recorded as comprising just 5 officers and 388 other ranks, as well as losses through enemy action the battalion was increasingly suffering from ill health. The impact of Gallipoli was not confined to just the battlefield since Thomas’ death had major repercussions for his wife and children. Soon after being notified of his death the young Gilligan children who were now living in poverty were split up since Rachel was unable to cope. Annie and Thomas; who had sadly been blinded by meningitis were sent to live with relatives. In 1918 George was admitted to the Royal Hibernian Military School (RHMS) in Dublin. In November that year Rachel, who had suffered the amputation of a leg; died of tuberculosis at the age of 33. The following year Frederick joined George at the RHMS. Following closure of the RHMS George joined Group No. 1 at the newly opened Boys Technical School in Chepstow and then continued to serve in the army with the Tank Corps. Frederick moved to the Duke of Yorks School at Shorncliffe, Dover and then served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Both brothers saw service throughout the Second World War. George left the army in 1949 and then went on to work as a Civilian Technical Officer with the War Department, retiring in 1974; he died in 1999. Frederick, who had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in Italy in 1944 was accidentally shot and killed while serving with the occupation forces in Salzburg, Austria on 1 October 1945. Thomas, although blind learnt to play and tune the piano, he died in Belfast in 1975. The last of Thomas Gilligan’s children was his daughter Annie who died in Surrey in December 2001. The family keeps Thomas Gilligan’s in their memories with his photograph (reproduced above) featuring prominently in the homes of my self and my father and on each anniversary of his death he and his family are remembered. Steve Gilligan Add to this record. 240455 Mjr. John Barnwell DSO, MC, MID. 6th Btn. Leinster Regiment John Barnwell was born near Birr, Co Offaly, in 1885. He joined the Leinster Regiment at Crinkle in 1902 and rose through the ranks. John served in India from 1911 to 1914. He returned to Crinkle to help train Kitchener's Army. John fought in Gallipoli as part of the 29th Brigade from August to October 1915. He is mentioned in Bryan Cooper's book "The 10th (Irish) Division in Gallipoli" as a Lieutenant leading a night-time bayonet attack on Rhododendron Ridge on 9th August. He served later in Salonika and Serbia. He joined the Machine Gun Corps on its formation and was appointed to command the 29th Company. He fought in Macedonia, Egypt and Palestine. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross for engagements while with the Machine Gun Corps and was Mentioned in Dispatches three times. After the War he returned to Birr to command the Depot Company. He retired from the army with the rank of Major, aged 37, when the Leinster Regiment was stood down in 1922 on the establishment of the Irish Free State. He died at his home in County Wexford in 1976, aged 91. Des Nix Add to this record. 221812 Pte. James Fitzhenry Baird Royal Army Medical Corps (d.1st Nov 1917) My grandmother from Glasgow married James Fitzhenry Baird, a Spirit salesman from Dublin who came over to enlist in the British Army he was a Cook with the Royal Army Medical in 10th Irish Division. He left Glasgow for war and she gave birth to a baby boy my father. James died never having seen the child. She never had any letters from him but the war department sent his medals and the soldiers pass book, which I now have. A few years later she was introduced to a gentleman who she married and he became my Papa. I have always had associations with the Irish and also Greece not knowing what the strong link was until recently when I did a bit of research and found out where he was born and also that he was buried in Lebet Road Salonika Greece.It would indeed be interesting to hear if any one in Dublin is connected. I was delighted to find this website and have found it to be very interesting. Beth Morrison Add to this record. 216862 Pte. Joseph Barry MM. 6th Btn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers (d.17th Oct 1918) Joseph Barry served with the 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 17th October 1918. S Flynn Add to this record. 213249 Pte. Robert Flanagan 30th Coy Machine Gun Corps (d.7th Oct 1916) My grandfather Robert Flanagan died on the 7th of October 1916, I presume he was involved in some sort of engagement. Try as I may I can find no record of such an engagement being mentioned anywhere. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria. I am adding this remit, so that someone may be able to resolve this and understand what happened to him. Editors Note: From the following CWGC text regarding the Mikra Cemetery it is possible that he may have died at sea with a lot of shipping lost in the Mediterranean near Greece. So there may not be any battle to record. However the 10th Irish Division also was stationed in Salonika (now Thessalonika and he could have been killed in action with his unit serving in that Division, or wounded and died in one of the hospitals there: Mikra British Cemetery is situated in the Municipality of Kalamaria in the city of Thessaloniki just off Konstantinou Karamanlis Street between the army camp of Ntalipi (pronounced Dalipi) and the Kalamaria Greek Communal Cemetery. At the invitation of the Greek Prime Minister, M.Venizelos, Salonika (now Thessalonika) was occupied by three French Divisions and the 10th (Irish) Division from Gallipoli in October 1915. Other French and Commonwealth forces landed during the year and in the summer of 1916, they were joined by Russian and Italian troops. In August 1916, a Greek revolution broke out at Salonika, with the result that the Greek national army came into the war on the Allied side. The town was the base of the British Salonika Force and it contained, from time to time, eighteen general and stationary hospitals. Three of these hospitals were Canadian, although there were no other Canadian units in the force. John Mckendry Add to this record.

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