Royal Ulster Rifles & London Irish Rifles

LIFE magazine picture of leaning road sign, photo credited to George Rodger.

 

Rifleman James Lightbody, 2nd Bn London Irish Rifles (Royal Ulster Rifles)
Service No.: 14401404
Award: Mentioned in Despatches

Belfast Telegraph 18th June 1946

Wounded Italy 26th October 1943

 

Earlier this name appears: STRICK JR 101467 1ST BN THE LONDON IRISH RIFLES 18/02/1944 ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES

Today James Holland has written an account of two young officers who died in Italy, Strick and Captain David Cole, commanding the Signals Platoon in the 2nd Inniskillings. See: Ordinary Men

Keywords for searching: Garigliano , Castelforte , Monte Damiano , Gustav Line , Minturno Ridge .

 

Thanks for this,. The London Irish Rifles has treasured John Strick's memory for the past 81 years... good to see that James continues to highlight the story - no doubt, reliant on the hundreds of letters/personal diaries and poems stored with the IWM. I had the privilege of spending a day reading them in the autumn:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1030015727

Captain Strick's face looks down on visitors in the LIR Officers' Mess in Camberwell - and I was able to visit his final resting place at Anzio again in April.

John Strick's death during February 1944 is well described in the Regimental History:
"On February 18, further efforts were made to trace the Oxford and Bucks with no result, except to bring more casualties to the battalion. That night, Lieut-Colonel Good, exhausted by many days and nights with no sleep and little rest, was ordered by Brigadier Davidson to have a respite.

The position at that time was that in accordance with a plan prepared by the Brigadier, the London Irish, despite heavy shell and mortar fire, had got up forward as far as it possibly could. A strong, powerful blow would be needed to dislodge the Germans from their positions on the higher ground ahead.

Owing to the shelling, battalion headquarters had lost touch with the companies. Tactical Headquarters, commanded by Captain TJ Sweeney, the Adjutant, and accompanied by Captain A Mace and about ten personnel of the carrier platoon acting as headquarters defence, struggled all that night to reach the companies. They finally joined them at first light and found them sheltering in a wadi. Everyone was extremely weary and all further attack was out of the question for the moment. A Company now numbered about thirty-five men and C Company about the same. About an hour later the battalion suffered another severe blow. A stray shell landed near the resting men and Captain JR Strick, a very popular and efficient officer who had been with the London Irish from pre-war Territorial days, and CSM Flavelle, were killed and Major Brooks severely wounded...."

QS

​

 

U.S. Army photo of soldier from the London Irish Rifles.

 

Given his gauntlets do you think it's his carrier down in the street below him?

Kind regards, Harborne a nice bit well removed from the city centre, always,

Jim.

 

Not sure, the picture is a bit out of focus and the print has a spot of surface damage.

 

Hello EKB,

Have a look at the last image you first posted above, no white dot/scrub on that one.

Looks (to me and my magnifying glass ) like a high sided carrier or possibly a Weasel.

Cracking photos, thank you for posting them up.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

That copy I found here:

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/554015153?objectPage=8

 

Thank you - a well known image.

Of course, the caption is wrong - it's not "Royal Irish Rifles". it's the London Irish Rifles - I've written to the "National Archives" a number of times and they promised to change it but clearly the image is more powerful that the underlying detail and they haven't changed it despite repeated requests.

Cpl Jennings must have been on "special duties" on 29 Dec 1944 as the main body of the 2nd Bn. London Irish Rifles were 50 miles to the north in the snow drifts near San Clemente - "fourth year away from his native England" is also a bit of a stretch" as the Battalion had left Scotland on 11 November 1942.

Good picture though,

Best wishes

 

Did you trace the index card, or SC number, for this photo?

 

Royal Irish Rifles soldier ringing bell of church in Firenzuola, Italy on 29 December 1944 | The Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum : Oral Histories

Perhaps I should follow up with them (again)....I got a nice note saying that they would change the caption.

 

Thought that this may be of interest here... list of Honours and Awards for Royal Ulster Rifles during World War 2 as detailed within:

• Quis Separabit - The Journal of The Royal Ulster Rifles - Vol XI November 1944
• Quis Separabit - The Journal of The Royal Ulster Rifles - Vol XII May 1945

both of which can be found here in full:
2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in WW2: Documents

Regimental Histories include reports from:

• 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles
• 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles
  
• "G" (R.U.R.) Company, 25 I.T.C.
• 1st Battalion London Irish Rifles
• 2nd Battalion London Irish Rifles
  
• 1st Cadet Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles
• 2nd Cadet Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles
  
• 3rd Cadet Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles

Awards transcribed here so searchable.

Quis Separabit


AWARDS CONFERRED ON PERSONNEL OF THE ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES IN EACH THEATRE OF WAR SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1939 UP TO 25th JULY 1944

B.E.F. Award Date Gaztd.
7008917 W.O. II (C.S.M.) W. L. Attridge Mention 20/12/1940
7010951 Sergt. William Baudains M.M. 11/07/1940
Capt. E. F. Davies, M.C. Mention 20/12/1940
7011728 Rfmn. J. E. Drumgoole Mention 20/12/1940
2nd. Lieut. Patrick Bannister Garstin M.C. 11/07/1940
7010952 Cpl. J. E. Gibbens Mention 20/12/1940
2nd Lieut. R. W. Gordon Mention 20/12/1940
7007079 Sergt. Norman Victor Henderson Mention 11/07/1940
7011778 Rfmn. V. W. Henderson Mention 20/12/1940
Capt. J. B. Jefferys Mention 25/10/1940
7013921 Sergt. John Kiely Mention 11/07/1940
Maj. (A/Lieut.-Col.) Fergus Y. Carson Knox D.S.O. 11/07/1940
Maj. (A/Lieut.-Col.) Fergus Y. Carson Knox Mention 29/04/1941
Lieut.-Col. Reginald Henry Lorie C.B.E. 11/07/1940
7010211 Cpl. Phillip McDaid M.M. 11/07/1940
7011410 L/Cpl. Campbell Martin M.M. 11/07/1940
Maj. (A/Lieut.-Col.) Gerard Herbert Leo Mole, M.C. D.S.O. 20/08/1940
Maj. (A/Lieut.-Col.) Gerard Herbert Leo Mole, M.C. Mention 29/04/1941
7012332 Rfmn. G. E. Patton Mention 20/12/1940
Capt. W. B. A. Reid Mention 20/12/1940
6197005 Rfmn. Michael Kevin Ryan M.M. 11/07/1940
7014305 Rfmn. W. Touhey Mention 20/12/1940
Lieut.-Col. Gerald Herbert Penn Whitfeld, M.C. O.B.E. 11/07/1940
3382661 W.O. I l l (P.S.M.) Joseph Wilson M.M. 11/07/1940
Col. (T/Brig.) James Stuart Steele, M.C D.S.O. 11/07/1940
Col. (T/Brig.) Gerald Ion Gartlan, D.S.O., M.C. C.B.E. 11/07/1940
Col. (T/Brig.) Gerald Ion Gartlan, D.S.O., M.C. Mention 11/07/1940

NORTH AFRICA Award Date Gaztd.
Lieut. (Q.M.) David Aitkenhead Mention 23/09/1943
Maj. (T/Lieut.-Col.) C. H. B. Allen Mention 23/09/1943
7008967 Sergt. Edward Peter Bird Mention 23/09/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) P. G. Black Mention 23/09/1943
3602025 Rfmn. Richard Albert Burton M.M. 04/05/1943
7015001 L/Cpl. H. McC. Butler Mention 23/09/1943
Lieut. William John Chapman M.C. 15/06/1943
7018574 L/Cpl. A. E. Doherty Mention 23/09/1943
7018576 Cpl. Hugh Donaghy Mention 23/09/1943
7022266 Rfmn. J. T. Dowding Mention 23/09/1943
3521027 Cpl. J. Hamilton Mention 23/09/1943
7011413 W.O. II (C.S.M.) James Hamilton M.M. 23/09/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) Harold Higham Mention 23/09/1943
Maj. (T/Lieut.-Col.) S. S. Hill-Dillon, D.S.O., O.B.E. Mention 16/09/1943
7019081 Cpl. Robert Edward Hogan M.M. 04/05/1943
6340533 Cpl. J. H. Holden Mention 23/09/1943
14205933 Rfmn. Frank Edwin Janes M.M. 04/05/1943
7014511 C/Sergt. C. J. Jones Mention 23/09/1943
Capt. Victor James Alexander Lillie-Costello M.C. 18/03/1943
6341335 Rfmn. R. W. Linihan Mention 23/09/1943
7014630 Rfmn. Bryan Mawdsley Mention 23/09/1943
7015959 Cpl. Edward Charles Mayo Mention 23/09/1943
Maj. John McCann Mention 23/09/1943
7019231 L/Cpl. F. W. McDonald ... Mention 23/09/1943
Lieut. James Michael McGranahan Mention 23/09/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) Kenneth Neely Mention 23/09/1943
7045494 Cpl. (A/Sergt.) A. Norman Mention 23/09/1943
7014676 L/Cpl. Arthur North Mention 23/09/1943
7022404 Rfmri. P. T. Salmon Mention 23/09/1943
Maj . (A/Lieut.-Col.) D. Swinburne Mention 23/09/1943
7019328 Cpl. J. Walsh Mention 23/09/1943
7018446 Rfmn. Thomas Whiteside M.M. 08/07/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) T. W. H. Wilson Mention 23/09/1943

MIDDLE EAST
Lieut. R. P. Benjamin Mention 30/06/1942
Lieut.-Col. J. Y. Calwell Mention 18/02/1943
Maj.-Gen. J. F. Evetts, C.B., C.B.E., M.C Mention 30/12/1941
2nd Lieut. G. G. Lytle Mention 30/12/1941
Lieut. Robert Blair Mayne D.S.O. 24/02/1942
Lieut. Robert Blair Mayne Mention 24/02/1942
Maj. (Brevet Lieut.-Col.) (T/Col.) C. D. Quilliam O.B.E. 01/04/1941
Maj. (Brevet Lieut.-Col.) (T/Col.) C. D. Quilliam Mention 24/06/1943
Capt. (T/Maj.) E. P. S. Shirley, O.B.E Mention 30/06/1942
Col. (T/Brig.) Arthur Roland Selby C.B.E. 01/04/1941
Col. (T/Brig.) Arthur Roland Selby Mention 01/04/1941
(A/Maj.-Gen.) Arthur Roland Selby Mention 08/07/1941
(A/Maj.-Gen.) Arthur Roland Selby Mention 30/12/1941
(T/Maj.-Gen.) Arthur Roland Selby Mention 15/12/1942
(T/Maj.-Gen.) Arthur Roland Selby C.B. 18/02/1943
Col. (T/Maj.-Gen.) James Stuart Steele, D.S.O., M C.B. 14/10/1943
Col. (T/Maj.-Gen.) James Stuart Steele, D.S.O., M Mention 06/04/1944
Maj. (A/Lieut.-Col.) Ralph Neville Thicknesse Mention 30/12/1941
Maj. (A/Lieut.-Col.) Ralph Neville Thicknesse Mention 30/06/1942
Capt. (Q.M.) P. J. Toal Mention 05/08/1943
Capt. (T/Maj.) T. N. S. Wheeler Mention 06/04/1944

SICILY
7016319 Rfmn. H. Allensrein Mention 23/03/1944
7022238 Rfmn. G. C. Bishop Mention 23/03/1944
7013281 Pte. (A/Cpl.) Charles Blair M.M. 18/11/1943
7014737 Rfmn. Thomas Brightman M.M. 21/10/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) William Edward Brooks M.C. 21/10/1943
7022668 Rfmn. (A/Cpl.) John Joseph Byrne M.M. 23/12/1943
Lieut. Michael Owen Winne Clarke M.C. 18/11/1943
7018576 Cpl. (A/Sergt.) Hugh Donaghy M.M. 18/11/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) (A/Maj.) Joseph Fitzgerald M.C. 18/11/1943
7019739 L/Cpl. Kevin Gaffney M.M. 18/11/1943
Maj. (T/Lieut.-Col.) Ian Henry Good D.S.O. 23/12/1943
14215577 L/Cpl. John Gregory D.C.M. 18/11/1943
3909409 L/Cpl. Raymond William Harrison M.M. 18/11/1943
7016293 Cpl. Albert William Hunnex B.E.M. 23/03/1944
7014244 Sergt. John Thomas Madigan M.M. 21/10/1943
Capt. (T/Maj.) Robert Blair Mayne, D.S.O. Bar to D.S.O. 21/10/1943
7018170 Rfmn. James Gerald Murtagh M.M. 18/11/1943
7014328 L/Cpl. Edward O'Reilly M.M. 18/11/1943
Col. (A/Maj.-Gen.) A. A. Richardson D.S.O. 23/03/1944
Capt. (T/Maj.) P. R. Savage Mention 23/03/1944
Lieut. Henry Nigel Douglas Seymour M.C. 18/11/1943
7016541 Rfmn. W. G. Thomas Mention 23/03/1944

ITALY
Capt. (T/Maj.) William Edward Brooks, M.C. Bar to M.C. 29/06/1944
7016230 Cpl. (A/Sergt.) Harold Frederick Guy D.C.M. 20/07/1944
7016133 Cpl. Charles Hill M.M. 15/06/1944
7018604 Sergt. Stephen Kelly D.C.M. 23/03/1944
Lieut. (A/Capt.) Alan Frederick Mace M.C. 20/07/1944
7011992 L/Cpl. Thomas Martin M.M. 23/03/1944
7016214 Cpl. (A/Sergt.) Alex. Claude Mason M.M. 15/06/1944
13007104 Cpl. (A/Sergt.) Edward McNally M.M. 23/03/1944
Lieut. (A/Capt.) Geoffrey Raymond Hugh Mullins M.C. 29/06/1944
7018331 Rfmn. Frederick George Norman D.C.M. 20/07/1944
Capt. (T/Maj.) Patrick Joseph Proctor M.C. 10/02/1944
Lieut, ^"vid Moshi Sassoon Schayek M.C. 10/02/1944
Lieut, jonn Donovan White M.C. 27/01/1944
7016556 Rfmn. (A/Cpl.) Christopher Andrew Wilson M.M. 20/07/1944
Lieut. (T/Capt.) Thomas William Hamilton M.C. 23/03/1944

BURMA
Lieut. (A/Capt.) C. D. H. J. Nixon M.C. 22/06/1944

PERSIA AND IRAQ
7014350 C/Sergt. Reginald Blakeney Mention 05/08/1943
Maj. (T/Lieut.-Col.) Ian Henry Good Mention 05/08/1943

ESCAPE P. OF W.
Capt. M. D. G. C. Ryan Mention 27/04/1944

SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Capt. (T/Maj.) Richard Percy Livingstone M.B.E. 08/07/1943
Capt. (T/Maj.) Richard Percy Livingstone Mention 08/07/1943
Lieut. (T/Capt.) Ambrose Joseph McGonigal M.C. 02/03/1944
Lieut. (T/Capt.) Anthony Fane Ruxton M.C. 02/10/1942


AWARDS CONFERRED ON PERSONNEL OF THE ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES IN EACH THEATRE OF WAR SINCE 25th JULY 1944 UP TO 5th APRIL 1945

OFFICERS
BURMA
Maj. (temp.) N. C. Butler-Madden M.B.E. 08/02/1945
Maj. (actg.) T. E. May M.C. 31/08/1944
Capt. (actg.) C. D. J. H. Nixon M.C. 05/04/1945
Maj. (actg.) C. J. Nixon, M.C Mention 05/04/1945

EAST AFRICA
Lt.-Col. (temp.) G. Benson, O.B.E. Mention 08/07/1943

PERSIA — IRAQ
Lt.-Col. (temp.) I. H. Good Mention 05/08/1943

ITALY
Lt. (Qr.-Mr.) D. Aitkenhead M.B.E. 24/08/1944
Lt. T. Barry Mention 24/08/1944
Maj. (actg) R. W. Boyd M.C. 07/12/1944
Lt.-Col. (temp.) H. E. N. Bredin, M.C. D.S.O. 26/10/1944
Brig, (temp.) J. Y. Calwell, M.V.O. Mention 11/01/1945
Maj. (temp.) C. A. F. Gibbs M.C. 07/12/1944
Lt. R. M. Haigh M.C. 29/06/1944
Brig, (actg.) J. Y. Calwell, M.V.O. C.B.E. 19/04/1945
Lt. Sir J. H. Henry, Bt M.C. 24/08/1944
Maj. (temp.) J. D. Lofting Mention 24/08/1944
Capt. (actg.) A. F. Mace M.C. 20/07/1944
Lt. J. J. McConnell Mention 11/01/1945
Capt. (actg.) K. Neely Mention 24/08/1944
Lt. J. V. Reynolds Mention 11/01/1945
Maj. (temp.) T. J. Sweeney Mention 11/01/1945
Lt.-Col. (temp.) D. Swinburne Mention 11/01/1945
Maj. (temp.) P. J. Toal Mention 11/01/1945
Capt. (temp.) R. A. Wigger Mention 11/01/1945
Capt. (temp.) T. W. H. Wilson M.C. 23/03/1944
Maj. (temp.) A. D. Woods, M.C Bar to M.C. 26/10/1944

MEDITERRANEAN THEATRE
Col. (temp.) S. S. Hill-Dillion, D.S.O., O.B.E. C.B.E. 22/02/1945

ESCAPED PRISONERS OF WAR
Capt. M. D. G. C. Ryan Mention 27/04/1944

SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Capt. (temp.) A. J. McGonigal Bar to M.C. 03/08/1944

NORTH-WEST EUROPE
Lt.-Col. R. J. H. Carson Mention 22/03/1945
Maj. (temp.) J. C. S. G. de Longueuil M.C. 01/03/1945
Lt.-Col. (temp.) I. C. Harris D.S.O. 01/02/1945
Lt. T. C. W. Haughton Mention 22/03/1945
Maj. (temp.) F. R. A. Hynds M.C. 19/10/1944
Brig. (temp.) F. Y. Knox, D.S.O Bar to D.S.O. 31/08/1944
Lt. S. M. Lennox M.C. 31/08/1944
Lt. R. Lyttle M.C. 21/12/1944
Brig, (temp.) G. H. L. Mole, D.S.O., M.C. Bar to D.S.O. 19/10/1944
Capt. (temp.) J. Montgomery M.C. 31/08/1944
Maj. (temp.) T. B. H. Otway D.S.O. 19/10/1944
Capt. (temp.) R. Rigby Mention 22/03/1945
Capt. (temp.) H. McL. Sheane Mention 22/03/1945
Maj. (temp.) W. D. Tighe-Wood M.C. 31/08/1944
Lt.-Col. (temp.) E. V. B. Murphy, M.C. O.B.E. 29/03/1945
Capt. (temp.) R. D. Martin M.C. 29/03/1945
Maj. (temp.) A. C. Bird M.C. 05/04/1945

HOME AND HALF-YEARLY
Maj.-Gen. (temp.) G. Brunskill, M.C. C.B. 01/01/1945
Maj.-Gen. R..H. Lorie, C.B.E. C.B. 01/01/1943
Brig, (temp.) H. P. Currey C.B.E. 02/06/1943
Capt. (Qr.-Mr.) C. D. H. Henniker M.B.E. 08/06/1944
Capt. (Qr.-Mr.) W. McFaull M.B.E. 01/07/1941

BURMA
7021840 Sgt. E. C. J. Bull M.M. 22/03/1945

PERSIA — IRAQ
7014350 C.-Sgt. R. Blakeney Mention 05/08/1943

ITALY
7020227 Cpl. J. Adams D.C.M. 07/12/1944
7017491 Cpl. H. E. Allen Mention 11/01/1945
6471893 Lee.-Sgt. J. Barratt M.M. 07/12/1944
14567100 Rfn. J. H. Bean M.M. 26/10/1944
14324309 Lee.-Cpl. A. Brown M.M. 07/12/1944
5836648 Rfn. H. Calmers D.C.M. 07/12/1944
7046556 Sgt. R. Gamble M.M. 08/03/1945
7009734 R.S.M. W. Girvin Mention 11/01/1945
7014776 Cpl. W. C. Gough Mention 11/01/1945
5121996 Cpl. (actg.) J. E. Graham M.M. 08/02/1945
5346061 Sgt. G. Guild M.M. 07/12/1944
7011412 Sgt. S. Henry M.M. 08/02/1945
7014501 C.Q.M.S. C. J. Jones Mention 11/01/1945
14203073 Sgt. (actg.) G. Kegan M.M. 26/10/1944
7016226 Sgt. H. P. MacKenzie Mention 11/01/1945
7020896 Cpl. L. J. Martini M.M. 08/02/1945
6978255 W.O. II. (actg.) P. McDaid D.C.M. 08/02/1945
14316891 Rfn. W. J. McDonald M.M. 08/02/1945
7018696 C.Q.M.S. R. N. Prudhoe Mention 11/01/1945
5345744 Rfn. T. H. Ramsden M.M. 08/03/1945
14433707 Rfn. H. A. Sparrow M.M. 08/03/1945
7014700 C.Q.M.S. W. J. Turvey Mention 11/01/1945
1443267 Cpl. J. A. Vale M.M. 08/03/1945
6980337 Rfn. D. J. Walker Mention 11/01/1945
7012936 Lee.-Sgt. W. G. Woolf Mention 24/08/1944
5342658 Rfn. A. D. Marshall Mention 01/03/1945
7015022 Sgt. E. R. H. Silverman Mention 09/11/1944

NORTH-WEST EUROPE
7012822 W.O. II. W. J. McCutcheon M.M. 29/03/1945
7012057 Sgt. R. J. Rainey M.M. 29/03/1945
7002462 Corpl. (actg.) A. L. F. Watkin M.M. 03/05/1945
6986230 Rfn. A. Charles M.M. 21/12/1944
6984231 Rfn. C. Feeney M.M. 31/08/1944
7007530 R.S.M. S. Fleming M.C. 01/02/1945
3853060 Rfn. J. Gilliland M.M. 31/08/1944
14401161 Rfn. W. R. Green M.M. 01/03/1945
7012420 Sgt. W. Hardy M.M. 19/10/1944
7014577 Rfn. J. Long M.M. M.M. 31/08/1944
7011693 Lce.-Sgt. R. McCann M.M. 31/08/1944
7012171 Rfn. H. H. McGlennon M.M. 31/08/1944
7020028 Cpl. C. O'Reilly D.C.M. 31/08/1944
7019401 Cpl. W. Reid M.M. 21/12/1944
7010920 Sgt. W. J. Sharkey D.C.M. 21/12/1944
7016344 Cpl. C. W. Stephenson Mention 22/03/1945
7012477 Cpl. J. T. Uprichard Mention 22/03/1945
7013523 Rfn. T. Purdy Mention 22/03/1945

HOME
6196099 C.-Sgt. R. J. S. Boyce B.E.M. 08/06/1944
30680 Lee.-Sgt. W. J. Hall B.E.M. 01/01/1945
7011286 Sgt. W. H. Moore B.E.M. 01/01/1944
7010003 C.-Sgt. R. H. Rawnson B.E.M. 01/01/1944
7009171 Rfn. A. Short B.E.M. 01/01/1944
7022414 Rfn. A. P. Johnson G.M. 02/02/1945
7009734 W.O. I. W. Girvin M.C. 19/04/1945