The 2nd Battalion (2 LIR) spent the first part of December 1944 with the rest of the Irish Brigade and still under 5th Army orders, in the area near Monte Grande taking part in patrolling and raiding party activity. After a short period of rest at Christmas, they were again back in the line at Casa Tamagnin as the year came to a close.
Meanwhile, after a major divisional reorganisation and, having joined 167th Brigade, the 1st Battalion (1 LIR) were called forward to the floodbanks of the River Senio. A prolonged period of activity, which was akin to trench warfare from the Great World War, commenced for the battalion and this experience was later to be replicated for 2 LIR in the New Year.
Tragedy struck the Regiment on 22nd December, when Lieut Colonel Macnamara, its former Commanding Officer, was killed, along with Lieutenant Prosser MC, when visiting the front line positions of 1 LIR at the Senio.
As 1944 came to a close, the battalions of the London Irish Rifles were readying themselves for the major assault that would be anticipated once the spring time came. Both battalions faced a third New Year away from their families.
Key Dates:
7th December: 1 LIR move to the Senio River.
20th December: 2 LIR are relieved from positions at Monte Grande.
Roll of Honour: December 1944.
Rifleman FW Rudd 01/12/1944 Santerno Valley Italy 2 LIR
Rifleman HE White 01/12/1944 Santerno Valley Italy 2 LIR
L/Cpl FL McLernon 12/12/1944 Santerno Valley Italy 2 LIR
Rifleman J Frost 22/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Colonel JRJ Macnamara 22/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Lt J Prosser MC 22/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
L/Cpl SS Bosworth 26/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman WE Gilbert 26/12/1944 Lambeth UK 1 LIR
Lt DM Macintosh 26/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman GC Pike 26/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman HA Searle 26/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
L/Cpl AG Dartnell 28/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman A McVeigh 28/12/1944 Beirut Lebanon 1 LIR
Rifleman EA Hill 29/12/1944 Coriano Ridge Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman G Hughes 29/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman AF Mason 29/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman CA Unsworth 29/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR
Rifleman JW Humphreys 31/12/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR