Over the past 155 years, the London Irish Rifles have gained 65 battle honours with London Irishmen serving in the Boer War and throughout the First and Second World Wars - probably the Regiment's most
famous battle honour was gained in September 1915 at the Battle of Loos, when men of the London Irish Rifles kicked a football into German trenches, thereafter entering immortality as 'The Footballers of Loos'.
The London Irish Volunteers were founded at the Freemasons’ Tavern, Great Queen Street on the 5th of December 1859 during concerns over the threats posed by Napoleon III, and which prompted the rise in the Victorian Volunteer Movement. The Marquess of Donegall presided at the original general meeting. The formal formation of the Regiment took place in February 1860, and at that time was named the 28th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteer Corps. The original maximum establishment was a Captain Commandant, 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 2 Ensigns and 200 men of all ranks. Its first uniform was grey with green facings, and a triple sprig of silver shamrock in metal, together with the old fashioned shako bearing a bunch of cock’s feathers. The Regiment’s first parade numbered 60, with the Marquess of Donegall as Commandant. Enrolled members had to pay an entrance fee of 1/2 a guinea, and also an annual subscription of 1 guinea. Honorary members paid 5 guineas, and 1 guinea annual subscription and were allowed to wear the uniform of the corps with the exception of the cross belt. | Freemasons’ Tavern. |
On becoming a battalion in May 1860, the designation “London Irish” was recognised for the first time. Eight companies were then composed before increasing that number to nine at the end of the year – numbers being then replaced by letters. The first Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, Field Marshal Viscount Gough, was appointed in May 1861. In 1865, 62 recruits from the Government Clothing Factory completed ‘G’ Company and at that time some questions were raised in the press whether the London Irish had abandoned their strict rule of only recruiting Irishmen. In 1866, the Battalion consisted of 10 companies, increasing to 12 in the following year – each company comprising approximately 100 men. In 1870, there was an alteration in uniform, which now included emerald green facings and a silver shamrock on the shoulder strap and, in May 1871, Snider rifles were issued to the London Irish.
Officers' uniforms. | Later in 1871, Prince Arthur (Duke of Connaught) became Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, and he would remain so for the next 70 years. In 1872, after several changes in address, the HQ of the regiment moved again back to the Strand where it then remained for more than 20 years. At that time, the strength of the battalion had fallen to 786 men, after a number of resignations (from a peak of 1170 in the 1860s). The Marquess of Donegall continued as Commandant for several more years until ill health struck and he was eventually succeeded in 1883 by Colonel James Ward. In 1877, the officers’ uniform was ordered to be the same as the 60th Rifles and other standards were changed so that men could not be less than 5 foot 6 inches or more than 5 foot 10 inches in height. On the occasion of the Duke of Connaught’s marriage in March 1879, the officers of the London Irish Rifles presented him with a silver table centre-piece with the names of the officers then serving being engraved thereon. |
On the 3rd of September 1880, under the Cardwell reforms and along with other Middlesex regiments, the Battalion was re-numbered as 16th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteer Corps, and in 1881 became a Volunteer Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. ♔
Private Riflemen Rifleman (Enlisted in the regiment are known by and hold the rank of rifleman.) Boy (Recruited at an age that is unfit for regular rank. Once fit for duty: promoted to rank of rifleman.) Proficiencies Bandsman (Considered equal to rifleman. Performs musical and communication tasks of a battalion.) Bugler (Considered equal to rifleman. Performs musical and communication tasks of a company.) Pioneer (Considered equal to rifleman. Performs engineering and construction tasks of a battalion.) | Non-commissioned Officers Colour-Sergeant (Senior N.C.O., a long-serving sergeant, a rank held with prestige. Given to sergeants who have displayed exemplary service.) Sergeant (Senior N.C.O., sergeant represents a senior role of responsibility. Maintains profiency, discipline, and order of a company.) Acting-Sergeant (An acting sergeant is a temporary appointment given to a corporal, as to fill a post and duties held by a sergeant.) Corporal (Corporals show an adept and consistent ability in leadership and responsibility.) Acting-Corporal (A rifleman earmarked for corporal, those given this temporary appointment show a capacity for leadership and responsibility.) | Warrant Officers Sergeant-Major (Senior management role focussing on the training, welfare, and discipline of a battalion.) Bandmaster (Senior playing musician of a battalion. Commands and orchestrates the band of a battalion.) | Commissioned Officers Lieutenant-Colonel (Commands a battalion.) Major (Typically second-in-command of a battalion, or commands a company.) Captain (With more experience comes more responsibility. Typically commands a company, or made adjutant of a battalion.) Lieutenant (Typically second-in-command of a company. Senior subaltern rank.) 2nd-Lieutenant (Newly commissioned officer of a company, 2nd-lieutenant is the first rank held on commissioning. Lower subaltern rank.) |
Marksman Badges Musketry is trained regularly within the regiment. Those who score the most during these marksman contests will be awarded a marksman badge. These badges will only be awarded during and through training. Once a man with four marksman badges reaches his fifth, he will hold the title of "Best Shot of Company". The title is held until another man bests the current holder, in which the new victor will be assigned the title; previous title holders will simply be reduced to their fourth marksman badge and will have to re-earn the title. "Best Shot of Battalion" is held through a monthly competition only among those who have earned "Best Shot of Company" or their fourth marksman badge, and the winner will recieve said title for that month and for as long as they win each monthly competition. | Marksman Badge. |
Good Conduct Badge. | Good Conduct Badges Good conduct badges are awarded to enlisted men for good conduct during service in the regiment. Each badge will be awarded based on time within the regiment with no act of insubordination or malconduct that requires disciplinary action during said time periods. Any of such will result in a badge to be removed, and for a renewal of the current time period. Those would then have to start from the last badge earned and work their way up again. |
(The LONDON IRISH RIFLES),
To supply Soldiers for our Volunteer Battalion
with the Rifle Brigade in London.
_____________________________________
There is a Place in the Ranks for You!
If you are fit, come and fill it!!
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You need not be Irish in order to join.
You become Irish by adoption.
Below are the companies to enlist into and their typical roles within the 16th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteer Corps:
"A" Company
Skirmishers. Light infantry and riflemen units. Through the use of rifles and skirmish lines, deliver powerful volleys unto the enemy. Survivability is key component of skirmishers and being able to reload and fire promptly, utilising cover and terrain, is part of the normal routine of a skirmisher's duties. |
"B" Company
Mounted Infantry. Cavalry and line infantry units. Cutting down the enemy with fervor through decisive charges or carrying out determined engagements with bayonet and ball, mounted infantry must be especially capable for combat on foot and horse. |
"C" Company
Artillery. Artillery units. Cannons, howitzers, mortars, and explosive crates are all part of the arsenal of the artillery. Artillerymen must have keen awareness of the battlefield around them, from spotting incoming fire from enemy arty as well as locating enemy infantry to destroy. |
Add any of the following London Irish officers to enlist.
Captain Jetch Lieutenant Stealth
2nd-Lieutenant Burlap Lieutenant Dalley
Schedule _________________________________ -Wednesdayss 8PM EST, Wednesday Linebattle [size=7pt][https://www.fsegames.eu/forum/index.php?topic=41794.0] .[/size] -Fridays 8PM EST, Picton's Friday Linebattle [size=7pt][https://www.fsegames.eu/forum/index.php?topic=41896.0] .[/size] -Saturdays 8PM EST, Saturday Linebattle [size=7pt][https://www.fsegames.eu/forum/index.php?topic=42209.0] .[/size] -Training on off days typically on Monday and/or Thursday; 1v1's and special events also take place on off days. |
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