the 2nd battalion royal ulster rifles & famous irish regiments

 small island with such a small population make such an inpact on World History and events ?

That moulded the British Empire into what it was , that produced men who fought in every part of the globe and produced Fighting Regiments with qualities that were the envy of the world. A small island that produced such famous Generals and Field Marshalls who created the foundations for the British Army of today. The fighting reputation of the Irish soldier has been known right back through history, and like their famous brave Scottish counterparts have often been referred to as ' Devils ' and ' Demons' by their foes. Queen Victoria created a Regiment of Foot Guards ( The Irish Guards ) to commemerate the bravery of Irish Soldiers during the Boer War. It is estimated that a third of the Duke of Marlborogh's men were Irish. Forty percent of Wellington's Army was made up of Irish, the same with the British Army in the Crimean War. In 1830 when the Irish represented only about one third of the United Kingdom population, more Irish than English were in the British Army. I once read that an Irish Soldier on Campaign without any boots or shelter felt at home, compared to the misery of everyone else around him. If he had boots to wear, Food in his belly and shelter he was a ' King ' and if there was a fight at the end of it all you had better get out of his way!!

Famous Irish Canadians, Irish - Canadian Regiments, South African, Australian..the list goes on

American History is full of his exploits, and the number of famous Irish -American soldiers is beyond comprehension, where twelve percent of the population today believe they have Irish Origins. Irishmen served and fought in their thousands in India, Afghanistan,, Argentina, Mexico, The American Revolutionary War, The American Civil War, The Korean War, over hundreds of years The Battlefields of Europe and even places like the ' Alamo '. This Website will hopefully explain why they were such fearsome fighters, why in the face of despair when there was no hope, Irish humour and Comradship prevailed, where friends were brothers , where strangers were instantly turned into Irishmen...and all were equal. It is indeed a proud thing to be ' Irish '

This website is not only about World War 2 Reenacting and Living History, it is a site dedicated to ' Irishness ' Famous Irsh Soldiers, Irish Regiments, Irish Poets and other Poems, Irish History and Collecting. iI really hope you enjoy looking.

in Ballina County Mayo, on the rugged West Coast of Ireland. My Great Grandfather fought with the

British Army and that Great Irish Regiment the Connaught Rangers in the Indian Mutiny, and my mother would tell me about a picture of him, of a handsome young gentleman, in khaki uniform with a handle bar moustache, which used to hang in her fathers house. My mother would tell me a story of how one day my Great Grandfather whilst serving in India, stopped at a river with other men to wash himself and his clothes, when an enemy patrol approached. He escaped capture and possible death by submerging himself in the river and breathing through water reeds until the patrol had passed by.. Private Ned Murtagh my Great Uncle on my fathers side joined the Leinsters on the 17th October 1902. He was stationed at Birr in County Offaly. He was discharged from the Leinsters on the 18th october 1915.

My Great Uncle John Jo Devers also served with the Connaught Rangers in the Great War.My Great Uncle Jimmy Devers (John Jo's Brother) was in the Irish Army. My second cousin ' Paddy ' saw active service with the Royal Ulster Rifles, and was at Dunkirk. My Other second cousin Fred ( Paddy's step brother) was with the Anzacs.Then there was my cousin Kevin who served with the Irish Army and the United Nations in a place called the Congo, where stories of shrunken heads prevailed . And lastly my cousin John, who still serves in the Irish Army and saw active service in the Lebonan, for many years. Every Irish family can tell a similar story and that is why it is so important to keep the memory and exploits of these famous Irish Regiments, past and present alive.

As i attended more and more reenacting shows around the country all i could see being portrayed were either numerous numbers of Germans or Americans .There were British units but they all appeared to be British Airborne.There were the odd British Home County Regiments but very few and far between. The Scottish regiments were almost non existant and there were no Irish apart from the 1st Battalion RUR ( Airborne )

So where was ' Mr Tommy ' who walked across Europe, and where were the good old Irish lads, like the Ulster Rifles,The Irish Fusiliers The London Irish Rifles and even the Irish Guards?

Well something had to be done,so i started portraying the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, i also portray the Irish Guards. The Irish have always had a fearsome reputation in battle, i wanted to represent my countrymen, the many thousands of men from the Island Of Ireland who fought for freedom and the ' Great Crusade '

Mad as hell the Ulsters approached " Cambes " wood in perfect battallion formation during the Battle for Caen. Nothing was going to stop them on this day. They entered the wood and kicked the ss out. Lets face it ,who would want to get in the way of an Irishman when his blood is up. Well Mr ' ss ' had enough and ran off, no doubt followed with a good irish boot and bayonet up his backside! and as their Regimenatal history willl show the Rifles slogged it on foot through numerous other battles until they reached Germany and Victory.

Andrews Grandfather was with the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles at Dunkirk. He also landed with them at Sword Beach during the Normandy Landings and fought all the way to Germany with the Regiment. He is mentioned in the book

"The Rifles Are There ". Andrew has a keen interest in the Regiment and also the London Irish Rifles. I suppose we look at ourselves as collectors, displaying our collections at various shows and events. The scene that we try to present is the Company HQ area around the Battle of Cambes, when the Rifles set up a defensive position at Le Mesnil, before the assualt on Cambes Itself. We have a display which i think is very impressive. Our display and kit is such that we are not just limited to the Normandy campaign. Infact we could represent any action taking place throughout North West Europe. Sometimes we like to attend shows just for a walk about, other times we put the whole display out and it can be hard work.

Relaxation and enjoyment are the most important things which we value along with authenticity. If you would like to come and join us we would love to hear from you. I hope that you enjoy looking at the website. There are still many subjects and Regiments which i have yet to cover. Best wishes Steve.

If you would like to come along with us you can drop me a line through the contact page or at stevemurts@fsmail.net

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Chris and Ed who have just joined us and will be adding some photographs soon.

....Sean O'casey, Drums Under the Windows, London 1945, pp 315

The Irish in India

My name is O'kelly, I' ve heard the Revelly

From Birr to Bareilly, from Leeds to Lahore,

Hong-Kong and Peshawur,

Lucknow and Etawah

And fifty-five more all endin' in "pore"

Black Death and his quickness, the depth and the thickness,

Of sorrow and sickness I've known on my way,

But I'm old and I'm nervis,

I'm cast from the Service,

And all i desrve is a shillin' a day

Shillin' a Day

Bloomin' good pay -

Lucky to touch it , a shillin' a day !

Oh it drives me half crazy to think of the days I

Went slap for Ghazi , my sword at my side,

When we rode Hell - for - leather

Both squadrons together,

That didn't care whether, we lived or we died.

But it's no use desparin' , my wife must go charin'

An ' me commissairin ' the pay - bills to better,

So if me you be' old

In the wet and the cold,

By the Grand metropold, won't you give me a letter ?

Give ' im a letter -

' Cant do no better,

Late Troop - Sergeant - Major an ' - runs with a letter !

Think what ' e' s been,

Think what ' e' s seen,

Think of his pension an ' -

Gawd Save the Queen

  Rudyard Kipling.

( Chorus )

( Full chorus )

Background picture. A ration party of the Royal Irish Rifles on the Somme