The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 06/11/1914 and were part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division. On the 03/03/1918 they transferred to the 107th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. John was formerly with the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. The 36th (Ulster) Division were back to the Messines Ridge from July - September 1918 (The Division had taken part in the Battle there in 1917). SEE PHOTOS x 3 FOR THE HISTORY OF THE 36th (ULSTER) DIVISION BOOK FOR JULY 1918. According to the Bessbrook District War Dead book John enlisted in the North Irish Horse before transferring to the Royal Irish Rifles. John is listed as PRIVATE and TONNER on the Coatbridge Memorial. Grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. The Bertenacre Military Cemetery was made by French troops (as the Cemetery "du Calvaire de Bertenacre", from the crucifix on the main road), and used in July - September, 1918, after the Battles of the Lys, by the 36th (Ulster) Division. Also see photos for John's listing in the Bessbrook District War Dead book kindly sent to me by Christine Tyrrell from Warrenpoint and for another photo of John. In his obituary it was wrote John had played his last match on the pitch but had given his all. John is also remembered on his hometown Memorial in Bessbrook, Co. Armagh (see photos x 3) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his listing on the Ireland Casualties of WW1, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, Bessbrook War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday 2019, Bertenacre Military Cemetery, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, his Headstone Report, John's Pension Records x 2, and the Royal Irish Rifles Cap Badge.
