Capt. E. N. F. Bell
Temporary Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell,  9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Attached 4th Trench Mortar Battery.

On 1 July 1916, at Thiepval, France, when our front line was checked by enfilading machine-gun fire, Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine-gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties were unable to advance, he went forward alone and threw trench mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available, he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally, he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers.

 
2nd Lt. J. S. Emerson
2nd Lieutenant James Samuel Emerson, 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

On 6 December 1917, on the Hindenberg Line north of La Vacquerie, France, Second Lieutenant Emerson led his company in an attack and cleared 400 yards of trench. Though wounded, when the enemy attacked in superior numbers he met their attack with eight men, killing many and taking six prisoners. For three hours afterwards, all other officers having become casualties, he remained with his company, refusing to go to the dressing station, and repeatedly repelling bombing attacks. Later, leading his men to repel another attack, he was mortally wounded. His heroism inspired his men to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
 
Private James Duffy
Private James Duffy, 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

On 27 December 1917 at Kereina Peak, Palestine, whilst the company was holding a very exposed position, Private Duffy, a stretcher-bearer, and another stretcher-bearer went out to bring in a seriously wounded comrade. When the other stretcher-bearer was wounded, Private Duffy returned to get another man, who was killed almost immediately. The private then went forward alone and, under very heavy fire, succeeded in getting both wounded men under cover and attended to their injuries. His gallantry undoubtedly saved both men's lives.
L/Cpl Ernest Seaman
Lance Corporal  Ernest Seaman , 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

On 29 September 1918 at Terhand, Belgium, when the right flank of his company was held up by enemy machine-guns, Lance-Corporal Seaman went forward under heavy fire with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing two machine-guns and 12 prisoners, and killing one officer and two men. Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun post, capturing the gun under very heavy fire. He was killed immediately afterwards, but it was due to his gallant conduct that his company was able to push forward to its objective.
Private Norman Harvey
Private Norman Harvey, 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

On 25 October 1918 at Ingoyghem, Belgium, when the battalion was held up and suffering heavy casualties from the enemy machine-guns, Private Harvey on his own initiative rushed forward and engaged the enemy single-handed, disposing of 20 of them and capturing the guns. Later when his company was checked by another enemy strong point he again rushed forward and put the enemy to flight. Subsequently, after dark he voluntarily carried out a single-handed and important reconnaissance and gained valuable information.
Lieut-Col J. Sherwood-Kelly
Acting Lieutenant Colonel John Sherwood-Kelly, Norfolk Regiment, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

On 20 November 1917 at Marcoing, France, when a party of men were held upon the near side of a canal by heavy rifle fire, Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood-Kelly at once ordered covering fire, personally led his leading company across the canal and then reconnoitred, under heavy fire, the high ground held by the enemy. He took a Lewis gun team, forced his way through obstacles and covered the advance of his battalion, enabling them to capture the position. Later he led a charge against some pits from which heavy fire was coming, capturing five machine-guns and 46 prisoners.
Sergeant James Somers
Sergeant James Somers, 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

On 1/2 July 1915, in Gallipoli, Turkey, when, owing to hostile bombing, some of our troops had retired from a sap, Sergeant Somers remained alone there until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over into the Turkish trench and bombed the Turks with great effect. Later on, he advanced into the open under heavy fire and held back the enemy by throwing bombs into their flank until a barricade had been established. During this period, he frequently ran to and from our trenches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs.

Captain G.R. O'Sullivan
Captain Gerald Robert O'Sullivan,  1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

On 1 July/2 July 1915 south-west of Krithia, Gallipoli, Turkey, Captain O'Sullivan volunteered to lead a party of bomb throwers to recapture a vital trench. He advanced in the open under very heavy fire and in order to throw his bombs with greater effect, got up on the parapet, completely exposed to the enemy occupying the position. He was finally wounded, but his example led his men to make further efforts which resulted in the recapture of the trench. Previously, on 18 June/19 June he had saved a critical situation by his gallantry and leadership.
(O'Sullivan was KIA, Suvla, Gallipoli, Turkey, on 21 August 1915.)

 

Medals of the Regiments:
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

 
 
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Badge.

awaiting insignia pics
The bi-metal grenade badge of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 
depicting Inniskilling Castle with the flag of St. George flying.		 
Kipling and King reference 632 

© Images Copyright ©

 

 

  The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
1689 - 1968
 
 
 
Titles
pre 1881post 1881
27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot1st Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
108th Regiment of Foot (Madras Infantry)2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
 
Earliest recognised formation: 27th: 1689 when raised as Tiffin's Regiment. (Becoming The 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot in 1751.)
108th: 1766, As an Honourable East India Company Regiment (The 3rd Madras European Regiment) - transferring to the British establishment in 1861 and numbered the 108th.
 
Motto: Nec Aspera Terrent. (By difficulties undaunted)
 
Regimental Journal:  The Sprig of Shillelagh.
 
WWI:Battle Honours; 46Victoria Crosses; 8Died; 5890
WWII:    Battle Honours;  37Victoria Crosses; 0Died; ???
 
Amalgamated:1968, With the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Royal Ulster Rifles to form The Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th)
 
 
 
 
 

Egypt Campaign, 1801, Maida 1806 and the Peninsula War 1808 - 1814 --The 27th, normally a 2 battalion regiment, was increased to 3 battalions during the latter period of the war with France. The vast majority of Peninsular War clasps are to this new 3rd battalion (AKA the "Young Enniskillings"). The 1st and 2nd battalion served Egypt 1801, and the 1st battalion at Maida.

Military General Service Medal.  1793 - 1814 clasps:

 

Total MedalsMax claspsEgyptMaidaBusacoAlbuheraBadajosSalamancaVittoriaPyreneesSt. SebastianNivelleNiveOrthesToulouse
452119412211355165132144126288147115144
 

27th Regt. Officers on the staff also received Talavera (1) Fuentes d'Onor (1) Ciudad Rodrigo (2)

 

Battle Honours; Badajos, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula.

 
1817: 27th Regiment reduced to a single battalion.
 

Battle of Waterloo 1815 27th Regiment

Waterloo Medal 1815

Number:560
 

Battle Honour;  Waterloo.

 
 
 

The Kaffir Wars, two campaigns: 1834-35 (6th Kaffir War) & 1846-47 (7th Kaffir War) 27th Regiment.

South Africa Medal 1834-53

number:201
 

 

Battle Honours: South Africa 1835, South Africa 1846-7

 
 
 

India Mutiny 1857 Both regiments present

India Mutiny Medal. 1857 -59

 27th RegimentThe 3rd Madras European Regiment HEICo. (108th)
clasp:....none.......none...
Central India
number:850??
 

Battle Honours: Central India

 
 
 

North West Frontier 1858 (Sittana Field Force) 27th Regiment

India General Service Medal 1854

clasp: →
North West Frontier
number:?
 

 

 
 
 

Abyssinian War 1867 - 68  108th  Regiment

Abyssinian Medal 1867 - 68

number:10
 
 
 
1881: The Regiments now become the 1st and 2nd Battalions, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
 

North West Frontier Operations 1897-98  2nd Battalion

India Medal 1895

clasp:

Punjab Frontier  1897-98

Tirah 1897-98
number:??
 
 
 
 

South African War 1899 - 1902 or "Boer War"  Both battalions present, 1st; Nov 1899 - end of the war, 2nd; arriving from India December 1901.

Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902, with or without the King's South Africa Medal 1901 - 1902 (2nd battalion not eligible for the KSA)

Common clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; also:

 
clasp;

Natal

Defence of Ladysmith

Relief of Ladysmith

Tugela Heights

Belfast

 
numbers;????? 
 

 

 

 

 
OfficersNCOs and Men
KIA & DOW (+DOD)WoundedMissing / POWKIA & DOWDeath from disease WoundedMissing / POW
1st Battalion November 1899 - end of war
10 (+4)17111952261-
2nd Battalion, December 1901 - end of war
13---5-
 

Battle Honours: Relief of Ladysmith, South Africa 1899-1902

 
 
 

The Great War 1914 - 1918  ( 13 battalions;  10 served overseas:- )

Generally awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal, most men overseas prior to 1/1/1916 also a 1914 or 1914-15 Star.

Battalion →1* 256789101113
Garrison
7/8**
date of first overseas service.
 (first theatre red x )		25/4
1915		22/8
1914		7/8
1915		7/8
1915		?/2
1916		?/2
1916		?/10
1915		?/10
1915		?/10
1915		11/6
1918
France & Flandersxxxxxxxxxx
Gallipolix xx      
Egypt & Palestinex xx      
Macedonia  xx      
Star
possible ? 		1914 or 1914-15  x        
or 1914-15 onlyx xx  xxx 
VCs at a glance;
      
died
Extracted from : "Soldiers / Officers Died in the Great War" (consider approximate - in addition 84 officers are recorded with 'battalion not shown' or with battalions not shown here )		1421112026925040741168927547774
180
 

* The first battalion were in India when war broke out and returned first to the UK
** 7th and 8th battalion amalgamated  23/8/17 to become 7/8th Battalion

RegularTerritorial ForceNew ArmiesGarrison.
 

Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19
10 officers & men of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers also qualified for this medal.

 

VCs:  O'Sullivan,    Somers,   Sherwood-Kelly,    Harvey,   Seaman,    Duffy,    Emerson,   Bell.

 

Battle Honours: Le Cateau; Somme 1916, 1918; Ypres 1917, 1918; Hindenburg Line; France and Flanders 1914-18; Macedonia 1915-18; Landing at Helles; Gallipoli 1915-16; Palestine 1917-18. Retreat from Mons; Marne 1914, 1918; Aisne 1914; Messines 1914, 1918; Armentières 1914; Aubers; Festubert 1915; Albert 1916; Bazentin; Guillemont; Ginchy; Ancre 1916; Arras 1917; Scarpe 1917; Pilckem; Langemarck 1917; Polygon Wood; Broodseinde; Poelcapelle; Cambrai 1917, 1918; Rosières; Beaurevoir; Courtrai; Selle; Sambre; Kosturino; Struma; Helles; Krithia; Suvla; Landing at Suvla; Scimitar Hill; Egypt 1916; Gaza; Jerusalem; Tell'Asur.

 
2nd Battalion disbanded 1922
2nd Battalion re-formed 1937
 

WW2 1939 - 1945  

Battalion →1st2nd6th
campaign ↓   
France and
Belgium 1940.
(Dunkirk )		 x 
North Africa & Middle East xx
Sicily / Italy xx
Burmax  
N.W. Europe   
 

Notes.

 In India at the start.
 served in the Arakan with the 47th Ind. Inf. Bde./14 Ind. Inf. Div. 26/10/42-19/7/43		13th Inf Bde; 30/11/39-14/7/44: Madagascar, India, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Egypt.

38th Irish Inf Bde; 26/7/44-31/8/45: Italy		38th Irish Inf Bde;
15/1/42-5/8/44: North Africa & Italy
 
 
 

WW2 Stars common to the Battalion. (excluding 39-45 star )
 Key: A = Africa, P = Pacific, B =  Burma, I = Italy,  F&G = France and Germany

 BI.A,I.
    
 

Most also entitled to the 1939-45 War Medal and many the Defence Medal

 

Battle Honours: North-West Europe 1940; Djebel Tanngoucha;North Africa 1942-3; Centuripe; Sicily 1943; Garigliano Crossing; Cassino II; Italy 1943-5; Yenangyaung 1942; Burma 1942-3. Defence of Arras; Ypres-Comines Canal; Two Tree Hill; Bou Arada; Oued Zarga; Djebel Bel Mandi; Landing in Sicily; Solarino; Simeto Bridgehead; Adrano; Simeto Crossing; Pursuit to Messina; Termoli; Trigno; San Salvo; Sangro; Minturno; Anzio; Massa Tambourini; Liri Valley; Rome; Advance to Tiber; Trasimene Line; Monte Spadura; Argenta Gap; Middle East 1942; Donbaik.

 
2nd Battalion disbanded 1948
 

The Malaya Emergency: Operations against Communist insurgents. 1948-60 1st Battalion (1948-9)

General Service Medal 1918 - 62

clasp:

Malaya

number:?
 
 
2nd Battalion re-formed 1952
 

Mau Mau Rebellion, Kenya. 1953 1st Battalion

Africa General Service Medal 1902 - 56

clasp:

Kenya

numbers:?
 
 
 

 Canal Zone 1951 - 1954 1st & 2nd Battalion

General Service Medal 1918 -62

 1st Battalion 2nd Battalion
clasp:

Canal Zone

numbers:??
  

 

 
 

The Cyprus Emergency 1955 - 1960  2nd Battalion (1954-56)

General Service Medal 1918-62

clasp:

Cyprus

numbers:?
 
 
2nd Battalion disbanded 1956
 

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Selected Links

The Regimental Museum. (Located in )

 
 
 

Selected Bibliography;

 
AuthorTitlePublisher
  
   

 

Additional Bibliography for this Page.

 
Author/CompilerTitlePublisher
Officers of the Regiment.Unpublished rolls in the care of the National Archives; WO 100/ etc.-
 Additional bibliography same as Northumberland Fusiliers page  
   
   
 

 

 

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