 WELCOME to the web site of the LONDON IRISH RIFLES ASSOCIATION.
As the summer days blend into the earlier autumnal evenings, we look forward to a busy few months.
The next Association event will be our parade on Loos Sunday, this year taking place on Sunday 24th September. This is the most important day in the calendar for the London Irish Rifles Association and I hope that we can ensure a large turnout of members to commemorate the exploits of our Regimental forebears and to join in an excellent day of socialising, as well as taking the chance to catch up with the latest news on the future reorganisation within the Army Reserve that will undoubtedly affect the London Irish Rifles over the coming years.
In parallel, we continue to trace the movements of men of the London Irish Rifles during the Great War, with the latter part of 1917 seeing both our service battalions in action. In November, the 1st Battalion would move from the Ypres Salient to the Cambrai area, where they would take part in the bitterly fought defence of Bourlon Wood and, along with the rest of 60th (London) Division, our 2nd Battalion would fight northwards towards Jerusalem.
For myself, I'm looking forward to my own challenge - a 100 km walk from the Somme to Ypres from 12th to 15th October. It's all for a great cause - the ABF The Soldiers' Charity - and you can find my fundraising sponsorship page by following this link.
Finally, I hope Members have enjoyed reading the 2017 Emerald, which has now been sent out to all subscribers - it's a good read (even though I say so myself).
Major Peter Lough TD,
Chairman of the London Irish Rifles Association.
QUIS SEPARABIT.
QUICK LINKS.
 ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP.
We have a thriving Regimental Association and our members take part in regular events as well as occasional battlefield tours. Our Welfare Team provides support to former and current London Irish Riflemen, liaising with external organisations, including SSAFA, on matters that require further investigation. Each year, members receive the journal of the London Irish Rifles, the 'Emerald', which has been published annually since 1949.
We also have a Northern Ireland Branch, which meets every three months in Newtownabbey, under the stewardship of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Maher.
If you or a member of your family has served with the 1st or 2nd Battalions, the war time raised (Young Soldiers') 70th Battalion or more recently with D Company, we would most certainly like to welcome you as an Association member.
 THE LONDON IRISH RIFLES TODAY.
The London Irish Rifles now form D Company (London Irish Rifles), The London Regiment.
REGIMENTAL HISTORY.
 The London Irish Rifles was formed in 1859 and at that time was known as the 28th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteer Corps. Numbered among the ranks of its first members were the Marquesses of Donegall and Conyngham, the Earls of Arran and Belmore, and also former Prime Minster, Lord Palmerston, who, at the age of 76, joined as a private soldier.
The London Irish Rifles would gain over 60 battle honours during the Boer War and in both World Wars - probably the Regiment's most famous battle honour was gained in September 1915 at the Battle of Loos, when men of the London Irish Rifles kicked a football into German trenches, thereafter entering immortality as 'The Footballers of Loos'. This event is commemorated by the Regimental Association every year on Loos Sunday at Connaught House.
 THE PIPES AND DRUMS.
The Regimental Pipes and Drums was founded in 1906, and has been active within the umbrella of the Regimental Association since 1969.
Today, the Band takes part in many events including the various Regimental ones at Connaught House as well as joining in the 'The Lord Mayor's Show' parade through the City of London in November.
REGIMENTAL MUSEUM.
We have a Regimental Museum at Connaught House, which contains many interesting artefacts, including the original Loos Football, which has recently been re-conditioned.
Alex Shooter and Nigel Wilkinson are available at all Regimental Association events and they can provide you with further information on the history of the Regiment.
OUR SOCIAL LINKS.
The London Irish Rifles has a well deserved reputation as a fighting Regiment.....at the same time, we are equally well known as being an extremely friendly bunch. Even during the midst of battle, it was reported that one of our riflemen walked into a bar in Loos on September 25th 1915, asked for a cafe au lait, drank it slowly and then picked up his rifle and returned to the fight.
So it is not surprising that we have excellent connections with three very fine hostelries:
Order a pint of the black stuff and enjoy the craic.
LONDON IRISH RIFLES SHOP.
We have a variety of items for sale at the museum and at Mulqueens, including a fantastic limited edition print of four eras of the London Irish Rifles (left), which was painted by renowned war artist, David Rowlands. There are also several books available about the Regiment, including the 'History of the Pipes and Drums' and 'The Footballers of Loos'.
CADET DETACHMENTS.
 RESOURCES AND USEFUL LINKS.
There have been a number of books written about the London Irish Rifles' rich history with some available from the Regimental Museum while others can be purchased from reputable book sellers.
FINDING US.
Connaught House is located in Camberwell, South London, and is easily accessible by car, bus, train and tube.
|
