The South Irish Horse in the Great War : Loos, Somme 1916 & 1918, Albert 1916, St Quentin, Rosières, Avre, Ypres 1918, Courtrai, France and Flanders 1915-1918 : a brief history

On 12 June 1922 King George V received at Windsor Castle representatives of the six disbanded Irish regiments. While five had long and distinguished service records, the South Irish Horse (SIH) had only been raised in 1902, as a result of the second Boer War, but too late to take part. On the outbreak of The Great War a single squadron of the SIH was sent to Flanders which was involved in the retreat from Mons and the Marne and the early battles of Ypres, Neuve Chapelle. The remainder of the Regiment followed and over the next four years, won ten battle honors including Loos 1915, Somme 1916 and 1918, Albert, St Quentin, Courtrai and finally France and Flanders 1915-1918. Losses were severe and there were many acts of gallantry. This book, while not an official history, fills a void by describing the achievements of this unique and short-lived regiment and the colorful characters who served in it. Certainly there is a fine story to tell and it will be invaluable to those researching former members. Ch. 1 Beginnings -- Pre-war Activity -- Ch. 2 S (service) Squadron: Landrecies, The Marne, The Aisne, Ypres, Neuve Chappelle, La Bassee, Aubers Ridge, Loos -- Ch. 3 A Squadron -- Dublin -- 21st Division, Loos, Armentieres, Ribemont -- Ch. 4 B Squadron -- 1 Limerick -- 32nd Division, Flesselles, Behencourt, Contay -- Ch. 5 C Squadron -- Cork -- 16th (irish) Division, Westrehem, Hurionville, Vaudricourt And E Squadron (newly Formed -- Cahir) -- 39th Division, Hazebrouck -- Ch. 6 1st South Irish Horse (1 Sih) -- C, E And S Squadrons -- I Corps Cavalry Regiment, Vaudricourt, Drouvin -- Ch. 7 A Squadron South Irish Horse, B Squadron South Irish Horse And D Squadron Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, (later Hertfordshire Yeomanry), F Squadron South Irish Horse, Xv Corps Cavalry Regiment, Ix Corps Cavalry Regiment, Xviii Corps Cavalry Regiment 2nd South Irish Horse (2 Sih) -- Ribemont, The Somme, Vimy, Arras, [ect.] -- Ch. 8 The Home Front (d/g Squadron-leopardstown, Carlow And Cahir) -- Ch. 9 The 7th(south Irish Horse) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment -- 49 Infantry Brigade -- 16th (irish) Division -- Tunnel Trench, Ronssoy, Amiens -- 21 Infantry Brigade -- 30th Division -- Locre, Wervicq, Courtrai -- Disbandment -- Ch. 10 South Irish Horse -- April 1918 To 12 June 1922 -- Ch. 11 Into Obscurity?. Mark Perry. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 201-203) And Index. On 12 June 1922 King George V received at Windsor Castle representatives of the six disbanded Irish regiments. While five had long and distinguished service records, the South Irish Horse (SIH) had only been raised in 1902, as a result of the second Boer War, but too late to take part. On the outbreak of The Great War a single squadron of the SIH was sent to Flanders which was involved in the retreat from Mons and the Marne and the early battles of Ypres, Neuve Chapelle. The remainder of the Regiment followed and over the next four years, won ten battle honors including Loos 1915, Somme 1916 and 1918, Albert, St Quentin, Courtrai and finally France and Flanders 1915-1918. Losses were severe and there were many acts of gallantry. This book, while not an official history, fills a void by describing the achievements of this unique and short-lives regiment and the colorful characters who served in it. Certainly there is a fine story to tell and it will be invaluable to those researching former members. First accessible history of this Irish based cavalry regiment.