7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion were formed in France on the 01/09/1917 and were part of the 21st Brigade, 30th Division when Patrick fell. The Advance in Flanders, 18th August ' 6th September 1918 : Second and Fifth Armies begin operations in the Lys valley, recapturing the ground lost in April 1918. Patrick came to Coatbridge some time in the 1900s. Patrick initially enlisted in the 5th (Extra Reserve) Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (30985) before transferring to the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment in April 1918. During the final advance in West Flanders as the preparations for the Third Battle of Ypres got underway he was killed as his Battalion captured the village of Wulverghem. SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1918. The Battalion War Diary 02/09/1918 states - "At 08.00 a Patrol of one Officer and six O.R. (Other Ranks) was sent to our right flank to endeavour to obtain touch with the Division on our right who had taken NEUVE EGLISE the previous evening. Touch was obtained with the 1st R. Irish Fusiliers at T9.3.10.60. at 09.00. During the day it was found to be impossible to move forward. At 18.15 after a short Artillery Barrage our left front Coy ("A" Coy) advanced with the 2/23 London Regt. and succeeded in taking WULVERGHEM. The Battalion was relieved that night by the 2/17 London Regt, 89th Inf. Bde, and moved to Croydon Lines S.5.A. During above mentioned operations our Casualties were - Killed 2 Officers 15 O.R. - Wounded 3 Officers 55 O.R. Missing 5 O.R." See photos for Patrick's Medal Index Card, his Informal Will x 4, Patrick's wife and son on the North Lanarkshire (Coatbridge) Electoral Register 1919, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Dranoutre Military Cemetery (now contains 458 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also one German war grave), his former Regiment the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Cap Badge, the Royal Irish Regiment Cap Badge, Patrick's Pension Records x 2, his listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1 and a Memorial to the South Irish Horse in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 31 FOR THE 30th DIVISION BOOK JULY - 2nd SEPTEMBER 1918 and the 30th Division Order of Battle x 14 (the Division Patrick was with when he died). This website gives a detailed account of the South Irish Horse History -
Here
