5th (Extra Reserve) Battalion of Royal Dublin Fusiliers

At the outbreak of war in August 1914 it was a depot/training unit in Dublin. It moved on mobilisation to Queenstown, and going on in October 1914 to Sittingbourne but returned to Ireland in September 1915, being based at the Curragh. It was sent to Longford in August 1917, moved to Glencorse in November 1917 and finally absorbed by the 3rd Battalion in May 1918.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARLYON_BRITTON Lt Winstanley "Eldest son of Maj. Philip William Poole Carlyon-Britton, D.L. (Gloucestershire), J.P. (Middlesex) and Agnes Cassandra Carlyon-Britton, of Eversfield, Fishbourne, Chichester. Educated at Harrow School. A Member of Lincoln's Inn, formerly Lt. in the 5th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers." Harrow school, a Solictor and formerly Lt in Royal Dublin Fusiliers. An entry in the Harrow Roll of Honour gives some more details - he served with the Army before the Great War, firstly in the Special Reserve as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1910, and resigned his commission in 1912. On the outbreak of War, he was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the Worcestershire Regiment, but, the Roll of Honour states, "was invalided out early in the War and totally exempted from further service". However, after months of rest he felt better and wanted to serve again, but rather than try for a commission he re-enlisted as a Private soldier. He joined the Leicesters in November 1916, and was in France with them by February 1917. Ironically, he had just been reccomended for a commission when he was killed in action (the Roll of Honour states on the 25th of September), acting as a runner to an advanced post.

CLARKE, Wilfred John, 2/LT, Died of wounds, 09/09/16, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 5th Battalion. Prob with 9th battalion

DALY, Arthur Charles De Burgh, 2/LT, Killed in action, 09/09/16, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 5th Battalion. Prob with 9th battalion

DELANEY Lieut., 5th Battalion., was next introduced. He said he came there that night to address them as an Irishman speaking to Irishmen, and as an Irishman who had done a great deal of service for his country. So that they would not doubt his sincerity, he told them that he had come 6,000 miles to join the Dublin Fusiliers (applause). He left Ireland years ago as many another man did, to seek his fortune in a far distant land, and after years of hard work and study he attained a certain position in life which he was very loath to leave. But on the day the first German crossed the borders of Belgium he had no hesitation as an Irishman, and the son of another small nationality, in starting on a 21 days voyage back to Ireland to offer his services to the Dublin Fusiliers (applause).

HENCHY Albert Francis , a Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion RDF brother of 2 other officers, A W Henchy in 10th and Dudley North Henchy in 7th

LANCASTER BELL 2nd Lt A R reported gazetted in Kildare Observer Oct 1914

LA TOUCHE Major, 5th Battalion C Company Handwritten request on plain paper to aid committee on behalf of Major La Touche's "C" Company, 5th Battalion of Royal Dublin Fusiliers for essential items of clothing, "60 pairs of socks, 60 pairs bootlaces..."

LLOYD-BLOOD Captain Lancelot Ivan Neptune. born on 9 February 1896.1 He was the son of Adam Lloyd Lloyd-Blood and Helena Geoghegan.1 He married Constance Elizabeth Byrne, daughter of John Ouseley Byrne, in 1920.1 He died on 6 November 1951 at age 55.   Captain Lancelot Ivan Neptune Lloyd-Blood was educated at St. Stephen's Green School, Tonbridge, Kent, England. He fought in the First World War, with the 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, (he was mentioned in despatches). He was decorated with the award of Military Cross (M.C.) in 1918.1 He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin University, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland, with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). He gained the rank of Captain in the service of the Royal Army Reserve Officers. He was admitted to King's Inn in 1920 entitled to practice as a Barrister-at-law. He was the Registrar, Supreme Court of Kenya between 1920 and 1924. He entered Colonial Service in 1920. He was the Assistant Attorney-General, Nyasaland between 1924 and 1932. He was Solicitor-General, Palestine between 1932 and 1936.He was Attorney-General, Cyprus between 1936 and 1938. He was invested as a King's Counsel (K.C.) in 1938.1 He was Puisne Judge, Tanganyika between 1940 and 1950.

O'NEILL 2nd Lt F. The assault on The Daily Express offices during the Easter Rising was successfully carried out under very heavy fire by a detachment of the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers under Second Lieutenant F. O'Neill.

ROBINSON Major Robert Hervey St.Clair Charles. Description of a medal group sold in 1998 at DNW London. An Easter Rising M.B.E. group of four awarded to Major R. H. St C. C. Robinson, 5th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. The Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) 1st type; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lt., Rl. Dub. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Major) Footnote. Major Robinson served in the Easter Rebellion with the 5th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which took a prominent part in the battle of Cork Hill, around Dublin Castle and the Mail & Express offices. He subsequently sat as a Waiting Member of the General Court Martial of John (Eoin) MacNeill and others in May 1916. In recognition of his services in Ireland, Major Robinson was awarded the M.B.E. in January 1919.

Later Lt Colonel. Entered France Oct 1916, declared not elligible for 1914/15 Star. Survived the war, living at Wilton Place, Dublin in 1919

THORNHILL Captain Henry Elliot Blundell On his tombstone its engraved he was of the 5th Dublin Fusilers. Died aged 40 but no date on grave. Was 1st troop master of 1st Portland Scouts (Austarlia).

6745 Sergeant Henry HARE. 5th Battalion died 26 April 1916 age 40 GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY

7783 Private James CASSIDY 5th Battalion Born Dublin. Enlisted Dublin. Died 7th November 1914 at Home

14960 Private Arthur Frederick PURNELL 5th Battalion 0233 in 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. Then transferred to Royal Dublin Fusiliers 5th Battalion. Medals & Awards BWM, VIC, 14/15 Star. 26/10/1915 Arrived 2(B) (Gallipoli). Presumed wounded and transferred to the 6th Battalion before RDF at a later date. Listed on the 1918 voters list (a NM), Widham. Name on Remembrance list in St Mary`s.

17687 Private Francis LUCAS 5th Battalion died 26 April 1916 buried GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY

18259 Private James BYRNE. Depot Battalion Born Dublin Enlisted Dublin Died 1st May 1916 at Home. GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY age 19

19222 Corporal John William Humfrey HUMPHREYS 5th Battalion "A" Coy. died 25 April 1916. age 29. buried GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY. Born at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Son of Marguerite Elizabeth Warfield (formerly Humphreys), of 13, Swanage Rd., Wandsworth, London, and the late Robert Humphreys.

21735 Private Alfred ELLIS 5th Battalion died 1st May 1916 age 19. DEAN'S GRANGE CEMETERY, Co Dublin

22164 Private Richard COXON. 5th Battalion. died 26/04/1916 buried GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY

24746 Private Patrick BYRNE 5th Battalion Born Dublin. Enlisted Dublin. Died 6th February 1916 at home

24923 Private John A.THOMPSON, 5th Battalion , killed on 24th April 1916.listed as having been born Drumany, Macken, Co.Fermanagh, he enlisted in Dublin and is listed as resident in Macken. 5th Batt had 4 casualties, all on the 26 April 1916. Buried Kinawley C of I Church He was killed during the Easter Rising

24999 Private John BRENNAN. 5th Battalion. Born Dublin. Son of Mrs. Ellen Brennan, of 51, Bride St., Dublin. Enlisted Dublin. Died 1st February 1918. Home , Dean's Grange Cemetery - County Dublin - Age 26

25026 Private Abraham WATCHORN. 5th Battalion Son of Abraham Watchorn, of Williamstown, Rathvilly, Co. Carlowdied age 21 26 April 1916 GRANGEGORMAN MILITARY CEMETERY

The GPO rebel flag was captured by a Sergeant Thomas Davis of the British Army, (Sergeant Davis [Lisburn] is listed as being a member of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers for 1916 who are documented as having been on duty / stationed at Sackville Street, (O'Connell Street) throughout the course of the Easter Rising). Sergeant Davis subsequently presented the flag to a Dr. George St. George (of Lisburn), who was closely identified with the Ulster Volunteer Force Dr. St. George died in 1922 where upon the flag passed to his only daughter whom married a Capt. Samuel Waring of the British Army. Upon the death of his wife Captain Waring presented the flag to his Kells Neighbours and close friends the Sweetman Family. Grateful for their friendship and being aware of the family's past association with Sinn Fein,Captain Waring supposedly uttered the words, "You may have more use for this than I do" when presenting the flag. He is probably the 5th (or 4th battalion, as he cannot be 10th who were at Royal barracks) There is a Sergeant Thomas Davis, 30927 who came to the RDF from R I Rifles that is possibly him.

Battalions in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers

The 3rd (Reserve), 4th (Extra Reserve) and 5th (Extra Reserve) Battalions were mobilised on 4 Aug 1914 at Birr, Maryborough and Drogheda respectively. These battalions served variously in Ireland, England and Scotland until May 1918 when they were amalgamated into the 3rd Battalion, that ended the war in Portsmouth Garrison.

 

Robert Childers Barton: b. 14 March 1881. He was the son of Charles William Barton and Agnes Alexandra Frances Childers.1 He married Rachel Lothrop Warren, daughter of Fiske Warren, on 21 July 1950. Educated at Rugby College, Rugby, Warwickshire, England. He graduated from Christ Church, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Diploma in Economics. He graduated from Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, in 1901 with a Diploma. He fought in the First World War. He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for West Wicklow between 1918 and 1922. He held the office of Minister of Agriculture between 1919 and 1921. He held the office of Chairman of the Wicklow County Councillors in 1920. He was a member of Sinn Féin. He held the office of Irish Peace Delegate to the London Conference in 1921. He held the office of Secretary for Economic Affairs between 1921 and 1922. He held the office of Member of Dáil Éireann between 1921 and 1923, for Counties Kildare and Wicklow. He was Chairman of the Agricultural Credit Corporation between 1934 and 1959. He was Chairman of the Turf Development Board between 1935 and 1960.1 He lived at Glendalough House, Annamoe, County Wicklow, Ireland.