The London Irish Rifles was formed in December 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.
Over the course of its long and illustrious history, the London Irish Rifles has gained 67 battle honours, during the Boer War and both World Wars.
“South Africa 1900-02”
The Great War:
“Festubert, 1915” “Loos“ “Somme, 1916,’18“ “Flers-Courcelette” “Morval” “Le Transloy” “Messines, 1917” “Ypres, 1917“ “Langemarck, 1917” “Cambrai, 1917“ “St Quentin” “Bapaume, 1918” “Ancre, 1918” “Albert, 1918” “Pursuit to Mons” “France and Flanders, 1915-18” “Doiran, 1917” “Macedonia, 1916-17” “Gaza” “El Mughar” “Nebi Samwil” “Jerusalem” “Jericho” “Jordan” “Palestine, 1917-18“.
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“.
London Irish Rifles War Memorial
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
The Early Years
You can read ‘Victorian and the Veldt’ about the first 50 years of the Regiment in a book written by Lt Col (Retd) Anthony Maher,
First World War
From March 1915 to November 1918, two Battalions of the London Irish Rifles gained 25 Battle Honours in actions across northern France, Belgium, Greece, and in the Middle East.
Second World War
From November 1942 to May 1945, two Battalions of the London Irish Rifles gained 40 battle honours in actions throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Sicily and throughout peninsular Italy, before taking part in post war peace keeping duties in northern Italy and southern Austria.
We have added extensive details of the vital part both the battalions played during these campaigns, including excerpts from the Regimental History, Rolls of Honour, and also links to war diaries, personal narratives, and citations for Honours and Awards of men who served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the London Irish Rifles during the Second World War.
