In July 1968 the three constituent Regiments merged to form the three component battalions of the newly created "Royal Irish Rangers (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd & 87th)". Formed in County Antrim in September 1914 from the Antrim Volunteers. Rflmn. 11th Btn. The Society raised approximately 60,000, thanks to the help and support of the people of the Causeway area and far beyond. The Royal Irish Regiment, until 1881 the 18th Regiment of Foot, was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, first raised in 1684. Formed in Holywood in April 1915 as a Reserve Battalion, from depot companies of 11th and 12th Bns. Rflmn. 1st Btn. It was recalled and landed at Liverpool on 22 October 1914, it was then dispatched to Le Havre as part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division in November 1914 for service on the Western Front. var year=mydate.getYear() Royal Irish Rifles This page summarises records created by this Organisation The summary includes a brief description of the collection (s) (usually including the covering dates of the. 5th Bde. L/Cpl. However, the German assault on Verdun in February affected the Western Front plan when the defence of that town sucked in French reinforcements, reducing their commitment to the summer offensive. These cookies do not store any personal information. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned 'German Emperor and King of Prussia' and moved from a policy of maintaining the status quo to a more aggressive position. On that date, Saturday 1st July 1916, soldiers from seventeen battalions of our antecedent regiments took part in the opening attack of an offensive that lasted until late-November. Pte. (d.7th June 1917), Brown John. 2nd Lt. 10th Btn. This statue will be admired by future generations and is regarded as a worthy tribute to a local man who has become a legend.