1Bn IG WD - 21st Nov 1914 - 9th December 1914

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WAR DIARY FOR 1ST BATTALION IRISH GUARDS NOVEMBER 21ST TO DECEMBER 9TH 1914

Nov 21st For the remainder of the day the Battalion rested in their billets and began to clean themselves. Strength of the Battalion this day was 8 officer and 350 men.

Nov 22nd Men attended voluntary church services in the morning. The C.O. went round billets in the afternoon to see the men had everything they wanted.

Nov 23rd This day was given up to inspection of ? by their commander to ascertain what articles of clothing and equipment were required. The Rev. Father GWYNN arrived as Chaplain of the Battalion. [REV. JOHN GWYNN DIED AGED 49 OF WOUNDS ON 12 OCTOBER 1915. Have a copy of the entry for him from Irish Memorial Book.]

Nov 24th A short ? March was made by Companies in the morning. At about 4p, the Commander in Chief Sir John French came and inspected the Battalion and made an address.

Nov 25th The men were served with trousers which they badly needed. There was a Battalion ? March in the morning.

Nov 27th More steady drill was performed in the morning. In the afternoon the men were issued with mittens from Grand Duke Michael of Russia, also mufflers and vests.

Nov 28th Captain TREFUSIS and Lt WALKER returned from leave and the former took over command of the Battalion.

Nov 29th The men attended voluntary services in the morning. ? Equipment, intrenching tools and some service dress jackets were received and issued out. Bicycles were made up complete, and more ground sheets were issued.

Nov 30th The Brigadier went round one or two of the billets and the Transport linen. More service dres jackets and trousers were received, also a few bayonets.
A draft of 288 ? And ment arrived undr the Command of Captain REID, with the following officers: Lt G GOUGH, 2Lts KEATION, P MARION-CRAWFORD, HAV HARMSWORTH, ACW TINNES, LC LEE.

12 Machine gunners were kept of the Base by order of the authorities there.
The weather for the last few days has been cloudy and wet, and the sheets are in a bad state so it is rather difficult to keep the billets clean. The men are greatly improved in their health already by this rest and good feeding. With the draft the Battalion is just 700 strong, with 15 officers, 9 of whom are on the special reserve, 7 of them having done no ? of soldiering before the war broke out.

Dec 1st The whole Battalion was issued ? with new equipment and the C.O. inspected each company in the afternoon. Sir Douglas HAIG, Commander of 1st Corps came round in the afternoon.

Dec 2nd The Companies performed steady drill in the morning. In the afternoon THE KING drove through the village and many men were in the streets as he passed.
An order came out this day granting the Distinguished Service Order Medal to Captain N ORR-EWING, and Captain Lord FRANCIS SCOTT, and also the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned 2 CO and ment
Company Serg Major MUNNS - since killed in action.
Serg McGOLDRICK - Brigade Orderly
Corporal M RIORDAN - wounded
Pte RUSSELL - Brigade Orderly
Pte GLYNN - since wounded and missing

Dec 3rd The Battalion marched out of METEREN at 10.30 am to line the road towards BAILLEUL for THE KING who was coming through to see the troops. He arrived at 11.45 am and was cheered as he walked down the line of the 4th Guards Brigade. The 4 Commanding Officers of the Brigade fell in at the end of the line and after shaking hands with each of them, THE KING made following address:

“I am very proud of my Guards, and am full of admiration fro their bravery, endurance and fine spirit. I wish I could have addressed them all, but that was impossible, so ..? must tell them what I say to you. You are fighting a brave and determined enemy, but of ??????? as you have been doing and show the same fine spirit there can only be one and pleas God, and that is Victory. I wish you all Good Luck.”

12.20 The Battalion returned to its billets at 12.20. In the afternoon the CO inspected the transport.

Dec 4th The clothing of the Battalion was further increased by the addition of cardigans, jackets and goat skin coats to each man. Companies went for a route march in the morning.

Dec 5th Boots of a new pattern (American) were received today. They are British mad with a hard toe and appear to be rather light, and may not stand the wear of the old ammunition boot.

Dec 6th The CO inspected all the billets this morning and asked the owners if they had any complaints, they all appeared satisfied.
Voluntary Church for Roman Catholics at 9 am, and Church of England at 11.30 am.
Captains ORR-EWING and GOUGH returned from leave this night.

Dec 7th The Brigadier came round to see the dinners and the men told him that they had never been so well fed. They have fresh meat nearly every day and always vegetables for dinner.

Dec 8th The Battalion went for a route march this morning, and the men marched well.
The Medical Officer had now returned all the men in the Battalion and on the whole the result had been satisfactory, taking into consideration what some have been through.
The last draft ?officer to have been rather lightly medically examined, as in some cases men have had to be sent away as unfit with diseases which should have been apparent to any medical officer who examined them. They total number sent sick during the course of the week is 50. Many of these suffered from bad teeth and should return soon.
A great quantity of articles such as knives, forks, spoons, towels etc were received this day.

Dec 9th Sir DOUGLAS HAIG, Commander 1st Army Corps came over and presented the Medaille Militaire to certain officers, NCOs and men of the Corps. Amongst the recipients was Drill Sergt. J RODGERS of this Battalion.
A party from the Brigade went to the Headquarters 11th Field Coy. R E to be taught how to throw bombs made out of jam pots, which apparently are used against the enemy at close quarters in the present trench warfare.
Captain N. ORR-EWING received orders to join the 1st Battalion of the ? Regiment (SCOTS GUARDS) tonight and he has been attached to the battalion since September 11th and done very valuable service, and he will be a great loss.