The 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers arrived at Boulogne on the 22/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th. They transferred to the 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division on the 15/11/1916. The Division took part in the Battle of Messines, 7th - 14th June 1917 : A brilliantly planned and executed attack that resulted in the capture of the Wytschaete-Messines ridge south of Ypres, a feature that had given the British problems since 1914 and which was important to hold for future offensive operations in Flanders. Commenced with one of the heaviest artillery bombardments of the war and the explosion of nineteen enormous and long-prepared underground mines. The 7th June at 5.30 a.m. : Ulster regiments (36th Division) had already reached their second objectives, including l'Enfer Hill and the southern defences of Wytschaete, while on their left a South of Ireland Division (16th) fought their way through Wytschaete Wood. Heavy fighting took place in Wytschaete, and further north London troops (47th Division) encountered a serious obstacle in another strong point known as the White Chateau. This redoubt was captured while the morning was yet young, and before midday the two Irish Divisions had fought their way side by side through the defences of Wytschaete. The 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions captured Wytschaete. SEE PHOTOS x 18 FOR THE 2nd BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS WAR DIARY OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1917. John's Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his name on the Ireland Casualties of WW1 List (his father was Irish), John's CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, John's Pension Records x 3, Croisilles British Cemetery, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Cap Badge, a map showing the gradual eastwards advance from Ypres 1917 and the 4th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).
