Today, the association had the honour of being present at Killorglin Library where one of our committee members Stephen Thompson, presented copies of his book to the Killorglin Library Archives and also to a number of people who had assisted him during his research. The book entitled ‘Killorglin’s Great War Servicemen’ took more than 7 years of work and is testament to Stephen’s hard work over that time. He was kind enough to present a copy of the book to the RMF  Association for the help that he received from various members of the association. It is hoped that the book will assist those researching the first world war in Kerry, for many years to come.

Some time back, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association decided to erect a memorial at Frezenberg to commemorate and remember the roles played by the 16th [Irish] Division and the 36th [Ulster] Division in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele.

Both Divisions suffered major casualties in the assault on Frezenberg Ridge on the 16th/17th August, 1917. It was the last time that both Divisions fought together in the war.

The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association subsequently invited other Regimental Associations to participate in the project. At this time, commitment to support the project financially has been made by the following Associations:

     -     Royal Irish Regiment [ 18th Foot]

• Connaught Rangers

• Leinster Regiment

• Royal Munster Fusiliers

• Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

• Royal Irish Fusiliers

• Royal Irish Rifles

The above represent the eight Irish infantry regiments in existence at the outbreak of war in 1914.

The date set for the dedication of the memorial is Friday, 18th August, 2017.

Representatives of our Association will attend the dedication.

Any member who wishes to travel to the event should contact the Chairman, Liam Nolan, prior to the 30th June.

Contact details are: e-mail: [email protected]

                               :Mobile phone: 087 2463638

MEMORIAL STONE TO THE 16th [IRISH] AND 36th [ULSTER] DIVISIONS

The Association, in conjuction with other Regimental Associations, has joined the initiative begun by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association to erect a memorial stone to mark the centenary of the tragic involvement of these Divisions in the Third Battle of Ypres (31st July to 10th November, 1917), also known as Passchendaele.

Following the success at Messines two months earlier, both Divisions again fought side-by-side  at Frezenberg. Having been in the front line for a period before the assault, both Divisions had suffered serious losses. Massively under strength and physically weak, both assaulted Frezenberg Ridge on 17th August and suffered losses so high that they had to be relieved.

The attack was a complete failure.

The attack led to the amalgamation or disbandment of many Irish battalions and the departure of the 16th Division from Flanders.

The memorial stone in honour of both Divisions, will complete the story of these two Divisions which began in 1998 with the opening of the Island of Ireland Peace Park at Messines and the placing of two Divisional memorial stones on the road into Wijtschate in 2007.

The Association will make a donation towards the cost of this memorial. If any member wishes to contribute towards the cost of the memorial, this can be done by forwarding the contribution to the Secretary or doing so at our forthcoming A.G.M.

This will probably be the only memorial on the Western Front to carry the names of the participating Regimental Associations which will be a fitting legacy.

2017 WWI  & WWII Historical Tour to Flanders

Guided tour of war memorials and battlefields by a professional historian

Dates: September 24^th to 28^th incl.

Duration: Five days (4 nights)

Accommodation:  Four nights at Messines Peace Village

Food: Breakfast each morning, packed lunch each day and three evening meals

Flights:  Aer Lingus Cork/ Paris (CDG)/Cork

Bus transfers: Paris Airport/Messines/Paris Airport plus daily excursions

Cost: 650.00€pp

Some of the proposed sites for tour

• ·         Kemmel  Information Centre – Battle of Messines 1917  & Bayernwald German trenches
• ·         Walking tour of Messines: Peace Park, Messines Historical Museum (Old Town Hall), St. Nicolas Church and New Zealand Memorial and cemetery
• ·         Museum of the Battle of Fromelles & Australian Memorial Park
• ·         Visit 1940 Dunkirk Museum
• ·         Tyne Cot British Military Cemetery
• ·         Passchendaele Memorial Museum
• ·         German Cemetery at Vladslo
• ·         Francis Ledwidge Memorial at Bosinghe
• ·         Menin Gate, Ypres for Last Post ceremony
• ·         In Flanders Museum, Ypres

If interested a copy of the tour application form can be got from

Mike McLoughlin

Dunmanus, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick

Ph. (M) 087 7594 940

Email: [email protected]