Royal Munster Fusiliers History (Continued 8)

In the war in �South Africa, 1899-1902,� the 1st Battalion was one of the Regiments sent out to reinforce the garrison at the Cape and served throughout the whole war. The 2nd Battalion volunteered and served from February 1900 to March 1902. During the War the Regiment lost 6 officers and 75 rank and file killed or died of disease, and 4 officers and 79 rank and file wounded. In addition to the honours conferred on officers, 18 non-commissioned officers and men gained the medal for distinguished conduct in the Field, and 6 were specially promoted for gallantry. 

As regards the history of all Battalions of the Regiment during the European War of 1914 � 18: suffice it to record here that the 2nd Battalion went to France on the 13th August 1914 in the 1st Brigade of the Expeditionary Force - the �Old Contemptibles� - and a fortnight later suffered almost total annihilation at Etreux, on 27th August, where 9 officers and 113 other ranks laid down their lives; after holding up the advance of a whole German Army Corps for twelve hours. At the outbreak of war the 1st Battalion was scattered from Rangoon to the Islands in the Indian Ocean, and could not reach home with the other troops from India. They however later formed part of the �Immortal 29th Division,� and took part in the landing at Gallipoli, from the steamer �River Clyde� on the disastrous Easter Sunday of 1915. Here they also met with annihilation, many being drowned ere they could reach the shore, while those who did, were shot down by a murderous fire from which there was no cover. The losses were 4 officers killed and 13 wounded, and about 600 other ranks killed and wounded. By A.O. 324 of 1914, issued on the 21st August, the 6th and 7th (Service) battalions were raised. These Battalions formed part of the 10th (Irish) Division, which took part in the operations against the Bulgarians, in the Balkan Theatre of War. These two Battalions were later amalgamated into one - the 6th Battalion - which after serving in Palestine, was transferred to France and absorbed into the 2nd Battalion. On the 11th September 1914, A.O. 352 ordered the formation of the 8th and 9th (Service) Battalions. These Battalions went to France and added to the laurels of the Regiment, but owing to the difficulty in getting recruits from Ireland after the Easter Rebellion of 1916, they were disbanded and absorbed into the 1st and 2nd Battalions. No attempt can be made to record the numerous honors and distinctions earned by all ranks of the Regiment, beyond the Victoria Crosses awarded to the following: - Corporal W. Cosgrove, 1st Battalion, Gallipoli, 1915; Captain A.H. Batten-Pooll, 3rd Battalion � France, 1916; and Co. Serjt, Major M. Doyle, 1st Battalion - France 1918.

With the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the Royal Munster Fusiliers was disbanded on 31st July, having previously handed over the Regimental Colours at Windsor Castle to King George V on 12 June 1922. Such is the very briefest outline of the glorious history of a Regiment, which, owing to an unfortunate coincidence of the �Geddes Axe� and the political crisis, in Ireland by Army Order 78 published on 11th March 1922, has ceased to exist, save in the undying memories of all who served in it and of their families.