The 1st Royal Irish Rifles in the Great War

the long version

"In this book, based on recently released files from the British Public Record Office, James Taylor covers the history of the 1st Royal Irish Rifles from 1914 to 1919. The battalion (comprised of men from all backgrounds, both north and south) arrived at the front in November 1914, and was involved in the famous Christmas truce of that year. For the next four years it fought almost continuously at places such as Neuve Chapelle, Fromelles, Somme, Pilkem Ridge, Langemarck and Passchendaele, suffering horrific casualties." "In addition to its narrative, the book gives biographical details on nearly 300 officers, including medical officers and chaplains (this information, unfortunately, generally is not available for the enlisted men). A series of appendices complete the picture. Apart from the awards and casualty lists, there are details of the 301 men who were court-martialled, including a transcript of the trial of the only member to be executed."--Jacket.