Robert Rankin

The Battalion were at Quetta in India in August 1914. They returned to the UK, arriving at Winchester on the 20/11/1914, where it came under orders of the 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. On the 19/12/1914 Robert and the Battalion arrived at Le Havre. The Regiment was often known by its traditional name of the "Faugh-a-Ballaghs". Robert spent 5 years in India. From India to St. Eloi on the Western Front : The weather immediately after New Year 1915 was inclement with heavy rain, frost and gales in succession with hardly a break. The ground was so sodden that troop movement became next to impossible and January's trench work was more difficult than ever. The British were beginning to take over some of the French areas and extending their general line from the Kemmel-Wytschaete road north to St Eloi. A great number of men contracted frostbite and other ailments. The trenches there were very wet, and the discomfort was extreme. The 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers' introduction to the Western Front in these conditions was one of extreme discomfort. They arrived in the St. Eloi sector on the 06/01/1915 and, having come from India, were neither equipped nor acclimatised for a European winter. The 2nd Battalion, together with other reinforcing units from India, had marched 17 miles to join the 82nd Brigade at the front some five miles north of the 1st Battalions positions. The trenches taken over by the 2nd Battalion were crudely constructed and half under water. Because they were wearing the old Foreign Service boots, rather than the new issue pattern, many cases of trench foot and frostbite occurred. Moreover, the sense of vulnerability was all the more as the parent 27th Division had even less than the normal inadequate allocation of supporting artillery. German troops attacked the 28th Division near St. Eloi on the 4th February and held the captured ground for several days. Further south, the 27th Division was attacked on the 14th and 15th February; on the 28th February, the 27th Division made a successful local attack along with Canadian troops. SEE PHOTOS x 22 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1st FEBRUARY 1915 TO THE DAY ROBERT FELL. Robert had a love for the Army from his youngest days. His brother Harry (Henry) was at the front putting up Huts but they never met. Harry (Henry) thought Robert would be lucky to survive based on what he had witnessed. Sadly, this was to become true. Robert is listed as BANDSMAN on the Memorial. He is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church and East United Free Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial x 2, his listing in the Ireland Casualties of WW1, Robert's listing in the 1911 England Census (in India with his comrades) and the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge.