Branch Meeting, 20 September, 2014.
Philip Clarke
Rifleman 8294
2 Battalion Royal Irish rifles.
Son of John & Catherine Clarke, 28 Lower Kevin St, Dublin.
James Harris
Rifleman 7142
2 Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Son of Mrs. Jemina Harris, 35 Ashford St, North Circular Rd, Dublin.
John Lynch
Rifleman 8672
2 Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Lynch, 26 East Essex St, Dublin.
John Regan
Rifleman 9003
2 Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Son of Mrs. Helena Regan, 5 Herbert Lane, Baggott St, Dublin
All Killed in Action on 20 September, 1914.
None of them have a known grave, they are all remembered on the
La Ferte-sous-Jouarre memorial to the Missing
La Ferte-sous-Jouarre is a small town 66 kilometres to the east of Paris, The Memorial is situated in a small park on the south-western edge of the town, on the south bank of the River Marne.
The La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial commemorates 3,740 officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force who fell at the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne between the end of August and early October 1914 and have no known graves. The monument is constructed of white Massangis stone and surmounted by a sarcophagus onto which military trophies are laid. At the four corners of the pavement on which the monument stands are stone columns supporting urns which bear the coats of arms of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom.
From the War Diary of the 2 Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
19th Sep 1914. Valley Of Aisne. Very heavy and continuous bombardment which lasted till dark. Following Officers wounded, Lt Col Bird DSO, Capt Becher, Lt and Adjt Dillon, Lt Cowley. A good many casualties. A fairly severe attack took place about 6:30 pm which lasted till about 8:00 pm. Two platoons of the 3rd Bn Worcestershire Regt came up in support.
20th Sep 1914. Valley Of Aisne. Slight bombardment after daylight. About 10:00 am a severe attack took place supported by artillery. This attack lasted a little over two hours. One Company 2nd Bn South Lancashire Regt came up to support. Wounded Capt Becher. A report was received from 1st Bn Wiltshire Regt that the Germans had broken through on their right.
Personal Diary of Brig Gen Bird
19th Sep 1914. Early on 19th Sep the Germans began to shell our position with shrapnel and continued, with pauses, to do so all morning. In the afternoon the shelling was more vigorous, the battery attacking us firing "progressively" at 1500 metres. The usual procedure being two salvos shot one on our trenches, one over. Probably the fact that trees were 50 - 60 yards behind us made it difficult for them exactly to locate our position but the fire was accurate, some shells bursting on our parapets. The casualties were nevertheless comparatively few.
Between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm I was sent for to go to Brigade HQ and walked down the hill. The Germans were now occasionally sweeping the hill side with HE shell, probably 5.9".
I returned at about 4:00 pm and got safely into the cave behind B Coy's line and was waiting at the mouth of the cave for the shelling to moderate to go to my HQ. A HE shell now burst in a tree on B Coy's line which we had been unable to fell for want of tools and I and 2 other Officers were wounded.
At 6:00 pm, the enemy attacked bringing up machine guns but was easily beaten off.
20th Sep 1914: The Germans attacked again just after I had been carried down to Vailly, advancing through the wood.
A good many casualties were caused by their machine gun fire from the wood but the Company of 3rd Bn Worcestershire Regt, being brought up by Capt. Goodman of 2nd Bn Royal Irish Rifles against the enemy's right through the wood; the Germans at once fell back.