Neuve Chapelle. On the 11th we did little except get shelled, as we
tried to sleep in some German trenches. On the morning of the 12th we
were again in Neuve Chapelle, and for 2-½ hours endured a terrific
shelling to which he paid no heed, and, as I told you, the fatal shot
came at 5.20 p.m. just as, revolver in hand, I saw him about to get
over our parapet and lead a charge. A true soldier's Death. Should I
write to his Mother? I would rather not if you can do so, but will, of
course, if you wish it. I am so sorry for you and for your poor
children.

                                  Yours very sincerely,
                                           W. CLINTON BAKER.

(_From the same._)

                                              1. R.I. RIFLES
                                                         12/4/15.

I am afraid I have been a very long time answering your letter of
March 30th.

I hope you will be able to get a photograph of the grave, as Capt.
Jeffares of our fourth Battalion, now attached to the 2nd Munster
Fusiliers, who knew the Colonel well, writes that he has taken a
photograph of it and will send you one. There will probably be only a
rough cross on the grave, which we put up on the day he was buried.
Capt. Jeffares wrote that he had tidied up round the grave.

One of our men soon after the fight wrote home as follows:--"Our
Colonel and Adjutant lie side by side guarding the ground won till the
last Trump!"

We have now lost Capt. Lanyon, very sad, so soon after Capt. Biscoe
being killed. They had been inseparable friends for years.

                                       Yours sincerely,
                                           W. CLINTON BAKER.

(_From Brigadier-General Oldfield (at this time Major R.F.A., attached
Royal Irish Rifles) to Hon. Lady Ross of Bladensburg._)

                                                     ON F.S.
                                                         18/3/15.

DEAR AUNT B----,

I am writing to tell you how Col. Laurie fell. I was talking to him
just before his charge, and you will perhaps tell or not tell Mrs.
Laurie what I write as you think fit. Part I saw and part I was told
of after. On the 11th afternoon, after taking Neuve Chapelle, our
Infantry was brought to a standstill, and the experiment was tried of
rushing a field gun up to clear away houses, obstacles, etc., in the
open. I was chosen for this task. After helping our Infantry in one
place on 12th morning, I was told to help the R.I. Rifles to take some
houses and a trench in the evening. I rushed over to arrange with him,
and went into his trenches and among his men. All were very exhausted.
He said they simply could not go on. We arranged to attack in the
morning. I went to the Brigadier to say so, but found that he was
ordered to attack at once. Col. Laurie knew it was almost impossible,
but ran off to obey. I rushed to my gun. I just had time to blow in a
barn before the time of attack came. His men tried again and
again--only to be mown down. The ground between the two lines of
trenches was thick with dead of both sides. Colonel Laurie said,
"Follow me, I will lead you!" rushed out, and fell gallantly, shot
dead at the head of his men. Is there a finer death? For myself, I
escaped with my guns last night, and here I am resting after a
desperate 9 days. But I lost my favourite subaltern and nearly every
friend I had in the Division. I am still very lame, and this time has
been very strenuous.

                                    Your affec. nephew,
                                                L. OLDFIELD.

(_From Colonel Laurie's Brigadier._[10])

                                                    _March 23rd._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

You will have heard by now the sad news of your husband's death, and
it is but cold comfort to offer you my sincerest sympathy. It will,
however, be a satisfaction to you to hear how well he was thought of.
He commanded his Battalion with distinction, and, I hoped, would have
lived to have risen higher. He died a soldier's death, gallantly
leading his men in the face of the enemy; and his memory will live
among the gallant men who have done so much to keep the fine
traditions of the British Army unsullied. He is buried with his
brother officers near where he fell. If I can help you in any way, I
hope you will not scruple to tell me. My wife will also have written
to you, and is very anxious to hear if she can do anything for you.

                                      Yours very truly,
                                              A. LOWRY COLE.

(_From Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Laurie, D.S.O._)

                                          HEADQUARTERS,
                                              3RD CAV. DIV.,
                                             EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
                                                   _March, 1915._

MY DEAR F----,

My heart's right there with you. There is little doubt how he died,
gallantly cheering on his men; the whole thing has made history. I
will go over and get the fullest particulars, find his grave, have it
carefully marked, and send you a photo. He would wish you to be like
himself, brave and trusting in the future.

Let me know if I can do anything....

(_From the same, later._)

I went over to-day to make inquiries and find George's grave. I went
to his regiment and found a brother officer who was with him when he
was killed. A bullet struck him to the right of the nose and killed
him instantaneously; he was about to lead his regiment to the charge.
His servant stayed with him, but has not been seen since; it is
thought he has been hit by a shell. George is buried by the side of
his adjutant in a little garden in the village, between two houses on
the west side. The grass is marked by a cross, and is fenced round. I
know the exact spot. 9 officers were killed, 9 wounded, 400 men killed
and wounded. So the gallant old fellow rests with most of his officers
and men. His personal effects have been collected and sent to you.
Everyone was loud in their praise of him, and the General said he had
lost a gallant officer. I could not reach the grave to-day, as it was
not safe. I was nearly shot as it was! I got to within 200 yards. Let
me know if I can do anything else for you. God bless you!

                                                      PERCY.

"AFTERWARDS."

A FEW OTHER LETTERS, EXTRACTS, ETC., RECEIVED IN 1915.

(_The words of a brother officer--Major Cooke Collis, Brigade Major,
31st Brigade._)

                                                       1915.

... I hope Colonel Laurie did not suffer. It must help you to bear
your sorrow to know that he died as he would have wished, fighting
bravely for his country. I feel his death keenly; we were so much
together in the old days, and now, how the regiment is changed, and
how dreadfully they have suffered! But the name they have won for
History will not easily be forgotten....

(_Extract from a letter written by Rifleman Patrick White, "D" Coy.,
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles._)

... Yes, it was our Battalion that Colonel G.B. Laurie commanded. I
was about two yards from him when he was killed. Before I tell you how
he came to be killed, I must tell you how sorry we all were. He was
the best Colonel we ever had, he was always merry and bright, and had
a smile for both his men and officers; he was a hero, as General
French told us.

On the morning of March 9th he (Colonel Laurie) told us that we had to
make a charge at a place called Neuve Chapelle. We were marched to the
firing line that night, and our Colonel had a very nice meal ready for
us before we went into the trenches.

About 7.30 the next morning there began the biggest bombardment I have
ever heard--our big guns roared out. I thought hell had been let
loose. I tried to look before me, but could see nothing but flame and
smoke, and the roars of the big guns were terrible. In about an hour's
time our Colonel gave us the word to fix bayonets and charge for the
German trenches. He led us with a smile, and gained victory for our
Battalion that day. During the whole time he took it nice and cool,
and kept us all in good spirits. The following morning our Battalion
was to make another advance, and it was in this advance we lost our
brave and noble hero. When a platoon went over the parapet, some of
our boys fell never to rise again, and our Colonel, seeing this, was
looking over the parapet. There was an enfilading fire from the
right, and we told the Colonel to keep his head down; but he was not
thinking of himself, but of his men lying out there. Just then he was
hit--shot through the head. We bandaged him up, but it was no good.
Our brave Colonel had departed from us, and we can only hope that he
has got his reward for his heroism in the next world....

(_From 4872 Corporal J. Lennon, "A" Coy., 3rd Royal Irish Rifles,
Victoria Barracks, Belfast._)

                                                       1915.

DEAR MADAM,

I now take the opportunity of writing to you as regards the death of
your late husband, Colonel G.B. Laurie, who was O.C. of the 1st Bn.
Royal Irish Rifles. He was my Commanding Officer for nearly two years.
I followed him on the morning of March 10th, 1915, when the Battle of
Neuve Chapelle was taking place. He was the first man who charged into
Neuve Chapelle. I was present with him all through the battle, and I
was with him when he met his death on March 12th just at 20 mins. to 5
o'clock, when he was about to lead the charge of his battalion. His
death was instantaneous, and he was buried on March 13th: it was I who
carried him in after he was wounded, and when I found that he was
quite dead I said some prayers over his body. Major Wright was also
wounded in the same battle. I was very sorry indeed about the death of
my Commanding Officer. He was a soldier and a gentleman, fearless in
all his actions and honest, just and upright. I will certainly never
forget him for his kindness to me and all the men who fought under
him.

I was mentioned in Sir J. French's Despatch along with my Commanding
Officer, Colonel Laurie, for bravery at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
You will find my name in the list. I regret his death very much; it
was a great blow to me. Well, Madam, the only thing I have to say
before concluding is that his relatives and friends may well be proud
of him, because he was one of the bravest men that ever led men. I
would very much like to have a photo of our Colonel, and I remain,

                                 Your obedient servant,
                                                  J. LENNON.

(_From Earl Manvers._)

                                         THORESBY PARK,
                                            OLLERTON, NOTTS.
                                              _March 19th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

I feel that I must send one line to say how deeply grieved I was to
hear your husband had been killed at the front. I knew him as a most
excellent sportsman, and mourn his loss very much. My deep sympathy is
with you at this sad time when your home is made desolate.

Please do not think of answering this.

                                              I remain,
                                            Yours sincerely,
                                                    MANVERS.

(_From Brigadier-General Farmar, C.B., C.M.G._)

                                     HEADQUARTERS, 2ND ARMY.
                                              _March 20th, 1915._

MY DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

I cannot tell you how shocked I was to hear the dreadful news: only
to-night; but you at home must have heard of it days ago. B----'s
letter was my first intimation. Somehow it came absolutely
unexpectedly: of course, one lives in the middle of these awful sights
and happenings, but he was so strong and so full of energy that it
seemed unbelievable that he should be taken. He has been a friend of
mine, and a very real one, for a good many years now. I saw him not
long ago. He would have been sure to have got a Brigade soon if this
terrible thing had not happened. I have heard no details, but will try
and find out and tell you: unfortunately, his battalion is right at
the other end of the line to where we are, but if I can get down I
will. Dear Mrs. Laurie, I do feel for you most deeply, and my own loss
of a friend as well. If there is anything I can do, it would be a
kindness to ask me, and a relief to do something for you.

                                  Yours very sincerely,
                                              JASPAR FARMAR.

(_From Colonel Anderson._)

                                 HEADQUARTERS, 8TH DIVISION.
                                              _March 22nd, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

About ten days ago I received a copy of Col. Laurie's "History of the
Royal Irish Rifles" which he had very kindly promised to send me. I
was kept very busy on duty, so much so that I never had time to see
him and thank him. And now, to my great grief, I have to write and
tell you how very grateful I was for the book, and at the same time
how very deeply I sympathize with you in your great loss. I need
scarcely tell you how splendidly the Royal Irish Rifles did in the
battle of Neuve Chapelle, and how grandly they were led by their
Colonel.

My father had been in the 83rd many years ago, and I had written the
history of my own regiment, so we had bonds of sympathy, and I had had
several talks with your husband. So you must please accept my very
deepest sympathy in his death, and in your very great loss.

                                            Believe me,
                                            Yours sincerely,
                                        W. HASTURP ANDERSON.

(_From a cousin._)

                                         ANTRIM CASTLE,
                                                    IRELAND.
                                              _March 24th, 1915._

... I had the very greatest respect for George; he was an ideal
soldier and comrade. May God in His mercy comfort you!...

                                                 MASSEREENE.

(_From Mrs. Clinton Baker._)

                                           BAYFORDBURY,
                                                   HERTFORD.
                                              _March 28th, 1915._

Writing of her son, she says: "Osbert feels his Colonel's death
deeply. When telling me of it, he said: 'I _could_ only write a short
letter; I know you will have written to Mrs. Laurie to try to soften
the blow.'--'Ten young officers and 250 men have now been sent out
from home.'"

(_From General and Mrs. Bird._[11])

                                     22, ALBANY VILLAS,
                                                   BRIGHTON.
                                              _March 29th, 1915._

... We have not written to tell you how deeply we sympathize with you
in your great sorrow, as I know letters are of no comfort in times of
sadness, but to-day, in a letter we received, such words of admiration
were written of Colonel Laurie that I felt I should like to write and
repeat them: "Colonel Laurie handled his battalion to perfection
during the attack on Neuve Chapelle, and his death is an irreparable
loss to the 1st Battalion."

We have always heard what a splendid soldier Colonel Laurie was, and
our country does so need such leaders now in the army to bring
victory....

(_From General Sir John Keir, K.C.B._)

                                                 _May 4th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

I have such a deep admiration and respect for your late husband, for
Col. Laurie was, as you know, in command of the 28th M.I. in the
column I commanded in S. Africa, where I learnt to appreciate his
value as a soldier and his many other sterling qualities. After the
campaign we used to hear from one another on occasions of mutual
congratulation and the like. His loss to the Service is a very great
one, but one cannot imagine a more glorious ending to a fine career,
falling at the head of the regiment he loved so well, and which he led
with such skill and bravery. His name remains one held in honour for
all time.

                                       Yours sincerely,
                                                  J.N. KEIR.

(_From General the Right Hon. Sir Nevil Macready, G.C.M.G., K.C.B._)

                                                 WAR OFFICE.
                                               _April 2nd, 1915._

MY DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

Only yesterday I was aware of your address. I write only a line to ask
you to accept my deep and sincere sympathy in the loss you have
sustained. You indeed have given to the Country of your best, and if
there is any consolation it may be in the fact that my old friend died
as every soldier would wish to, at the head of his battalion in a
successful action.

Trusting you and the children are well.

                                  Yours ever sincerely,
                                              C.N. MACREADY.

(_From W.F.E. Denison, Esq._)[12]

                                             OSSINGTON,
                                              NEWARK, NOTTS.
                                               _July 18th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

Thank you so much for sending me that nice photograph of Colonel
Laurie. I think the likeness is excellent. I am so glad to possess it,
and shall value it greatly always. I do think of him so constantly,
every time I go by Carlton and see all the things there in which he
took so great an interest, and the fields where one went shooting, and
he was so keen about it all. There is a recollection for me at almost
every gateway. He was indeed a most kind and sympathetic neighbour to
us and a real friend. Thank you again and again for the photograph; it
is most kind of you to have sent it to me.

                                  Yours very sincerely,
                                             W.F.E. DENISON.

_Lady Cicely Pierrepont_ wrote:--

                                         THORESBY PARK,
                                            OLLERTON, NOTTS.
                                          _September 15th, 1915._

DEAR MRS. LAURIE,

... I have never had the opportunity till now of telling you how we
all felt Colonel Laurie's death, nor how much his unfailing cheery and
cheering presence in the hunting field has been and will again be
missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and everybody who
hunted with him will always retain the very pleasantest memories of
his kindness....

_The following is an extract from 4th Corps Orders, dated March 14th,
1915, by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson, Bart., K.C.B.,
C.V.O._:--

"The brilliant success which the troops of the 4th Corps have achieved
in the capture of Neuve Chapelle is of the first importance to the
Allied cause, especially at this period of the war. The heroism and
gallantry of the regimental Officers and men, and the assistance
afforded them by the artillery units, is deserving of the highest
praise, and the Corps Commander desires to congratulate them on the
severe defeat they have inflicted on the enemy, whose losses amount to
not less than 4,000 men in killed and prisoners alone. The magnificent
behaviour of the infantry units is deserving of the highest
commendation, and in deploring the loss of those gallant comrades who
have given their lives for their King and Country, Sir Henry Rawlinson
hopes that all Officers and men fully realize that what they have
accomplished, in breaking through the German line, is an achievement
of which they should all feel justly proud."

THE LATE COLONEL LAURIE.

_To the Editor of the_ "_Irish Times._"

SIR,

I was moved even to tears, which I trust were not unmanly, at your
touching reference to the glorious death, last Sunday, of my dear,
lamented friend, Colonel Laurie, who would, I had hoped, in the course
of nature, have survived me for many a year. It may, perhaps, be of
interest to your readers to know that this gallant soldier, who--I can
speak with some knowledge--proved himself excellent in every relation
of life, and who, _felix opportunitate mortis_, died for us and for
our liberties at the head of a renowned Irish regiment--the Royal
Irish Rifles--had, though not himself an Irishman, connections and
associations with this country of which he was justly proud. His wife
is a great granddaughter of the Right Hon. John Foster (Lord Oriel),
the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. He himself was the
great-grandson of an illustrious Irishman, Dr. Inglis, the Bishop of
Nova Scotia, who was the first Anglican Colonial Bishop ever
consecrated--a Trinity College, Dublin, man, and the son of a rector
of Ardara, in Donegal. Dr. Inglis emigrated to America, and was, on
the eve of the War of the American Independence, Rector of Holy
Trinity Church, New York, then (and I believe now) the principal
Anglican Episcopal Church in that city. Dr. Inglis was a pronounced
loyalist. He was warned not to read the State prayers for the King and
the Parliament. He disregarded the warning. His reading of those
prayers was interrupted by forced coughs and sneezings and other
manifestations of disfavour. He was then the recipient of many
threatening letters. On the next Sunday his voice, when reading the
obnoxious prayers, was drowned by a clattering of arms. On the Sunday
following guns were actually levelled at him as he read the prayers
quite undismayed, having, like his great-grandson, the heart and
courage of a hero. Yielding to the entreaties of friends, he left New
York for Canada, and on his return, more than twenty years afterwards,
to New York, when Bishop of Nova Scotia, he disinterred a magnificent
silver coffee pot which he had buried on the eve of his hurried
departure, and found in the place he had left it. That coffee pot is a
precious heirloom in Colonel Laurie's family. There is a brass tablet
to the memory of Dr. Inglis in St. Patrick's Cathedral, erected there
by the enthusiasm of Chancellor H.V. White, Rector of St.
Bartholomew's, whose own ministry was for some years in the Colonies.

Colonel Laurie's father, General J.W. Laurie, C.B.[13], served with
great distinction in the Crimea, where he was twice wounded; in the
Indian Mutiny, and in the Transvaal. He was Honorary Colonel of the
Royal Munster Fusiliers, and, having sat for some years in the
Canadian House of Commons, was from 1895 till 1906 Unionist Member in
the Imperial Parliament for the Pembroke Burghs, and a prime
favourite with all sorts and conditions of men in the House of
Commons. Colonel Laurie's elder brother, Captain Haliburton Laurie,
who was one of the most deservedly loved men of his generation, fell
in the Boer War in 1901. If he had not been a great soldier, Colonel
Laurie would have been a great historian. His knowledge of history,
more especially of military history, was profound, and his memory was
singularly retentive. He had, moreover, a very sound judgment in the
marshalling of facts. He had written with a pen of light the history
of his regiment, which he loved, and which loved him, and on which in
life and in death he had shed additional lustre.

                                           Yours, etc.,
                                        J.G. SWIFT MACNEILL.

  DUBLIN, _March 20th, 1915_.

(_From the_ "_Irish Telegraph_," _March 20th, 1915._)

R.I. RIFLES ENGAGED.

LIEUT.-COLONEL LAURIE KILLED.

OTHER REGIMENTAL LOSSES.

Information reached Belfast yesterday that Lieutenant-Colonel George
Brenton Laurie, commanding the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was
killed in action, near Neuve Chapelle, last Sunday. The deceased
officer was exceedingly well known in Belfast, where he commanded the
Rifles Depot for three years, and the news of his demise has been
received with sorrow at Victoria Barracks. He was closely connected by
marriage with the North of Ireland.

COLONEL LAURIE'S MILITARY CAREER.

Lieutenant-Colonel George Brenton Laurie, Commanding Officer of the
1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, who has died a soldier's death at
the head of the gallant 83rd, will long be remembered by the old
corps, in which he spent thirty years. He was the author of the
splendid "History of the Royal Irish Rifles" which was issued last
year, and dedicated by him to the regiment on the 125th anniversary of
the raising of the 83rd and 86th Foot, now the 1st and 2nd Battalions
of the Rifles. He considered the writing of that history, which runs
into 540 pages, a fitting close to his career in the regiment, but he
remained on in the Service, and the unexpected European War has made
it otherwise, and now he has ended his career on the field of battle.
The closing words of his preface were:--

    "May the officers and men of the Royal Irish Rifles win yet more
    laurels for their regiment by their staunchness whenever their
    Sovereign calls for their services in war!"

When Colonel Laurie penned those words last spring, he little dreamt
that within a few short months the officers and men of both the 83rd
and 86th would be shedding their life's blood freely in France, and
now he himself has made the supreme sacrifice, and with Captains
Master, Reynolds, Davis, Kennedy, Stevens, Allgood, Whelan, Miles,
Biscoe, Lieutenants Rea, Whitfield, Burges, and Tyndall,
Second-Lieutenants Magenis, Davy, Gilmore, Swaine, and Eldred--many of
them his old comrades--sleeps his last long sleep in a foreign grave.

The son of a soldier (the late General Laurie), Colonel Laurie
received his first commission in the Rifles in September, 1885, and
joined the 2nd Battalion, then quartered at Halifax, the last station
occupied by British infantry in Canada, and it is interesting to
recall that he was the last officer to join the battalion with the
rank of Lieutenant, as an Army Order issued some time later directed
subalterns to begin service as Second-Lieutenants. Halifax, Colonel
Laurie tells us in his history of the regiment, was a delightful
station, and all were sorry to leave it, the men especially so, and
over 300 of them gave in their names as married without leave.
Lieutenant Laurie moved with the battalion to Gibraltar in November,
1886, and to Egypt in January, 1888. In 1889 Lieutenant Laurie went up
the Nile with the battalion, which was detained at Assouan so long
that it missed the fight at Toski. He afterwards served at Malta and
in various home stations, and did not again see active service until
1901, when he was sent from England as a special service officer for
mounted infantry work, and took command of No. 2 Mounted Infantry
Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Rifles.

In the action at Hartbeestefontein he had a narrow escape, riding some
300 yards in front of his company in a charge, with one corporal. They
were surprised from a house at 25 yards range, and the corporal saved
his life by shooting a man in the act of aiming at his officer.

He distinguished himself in the action at Klerksdorp and in the
pursuit of Niewhoudt's commando, and on February 26th, 1902, was
ordered to Pretoria to take command of the 28th Battalion Mounted
Infantry, handing over his company to Lieutenant Low, who was killed a
fortnight later. Captain Laurie was highly commended by Colonel
Rochfort for his services with the Rifles Mounted Infantry in these
words:--

"During the whole of my time in South Africa I did not command better
or more mobile troops than the two mounted infantry companies of the
Royal Irish Rifles under Captain Laurie and Captain Baker."

For his services in the war Captain Laurie was mentioned in
despatches, and received the Queen's medal with clasps. A step in rank
came in 1904, and in 1911 Major Laurie had the honour of commanding
the detachment of the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles which was sent from Dover
to London to attend the Coronation of King George. On October 28th,
1912, Major Laurie was promoted to the command of the 1st Battalion,
then at Kamptee, Lieutenant-Colonel O'Leary's term having expired. He
brought the regiment from India to Aden, and last October it was moved
to England prior to going to France in the following month.

("_Belfast Newsletter_," _March 20th, 1915._)

FROM NEUVE CHAPELLE.

BELFAST REGIMENT'S PART.

HEROISM OF COLONEL LAURIE.

Interesting particulars of the part played by the 1st Battalion Royal
Irish Rifles in the attack on Neuve Chapelle are given by
Sergeant-Major Miller, who is now in the Mater Misericordiæ Hospital,
Dublin, with a severe wound in the eye received on that occasion. The
Rifles formed part of the Fourth Army Corps, which, with the Indian
Corps, as reported by Field-Marshal French, carried out the assault on
the German lines. Prior to the action General Sir Henry Rawlinson
inspired his troops with an address, in which he said:--

    "The attack which we are about to undertake is of the first
    importance to the Allied cause. The army and the nation are
    watching the result, and Sir John French is confident that
    every individual in the Fourth Army Corps will do his duty and
    inflict a crushing defeat on the German Seventh Corps, which is
    arrayed against us."

This, says the sergeant-major, was the only intimation of the enemy's
strength. Had it been otherwise, the result would have been the same.
On the first day of the attack their Commanding Officer, Colonel
Laurie, seemed to have a charmed life. He deliberately walked up and
down, giving orders and cheering the men on amid a flood of fire. He
seemed unconscious of the fact that a great bombardment was taking
place. It was a wonderful sight to see him there, his big military
figure standing out boldly in presence of his soldiers. Colonel Laurie
and his adjutant were killed the next day, in spite of the charm which
seemed to surround his life on the previous day. The sergeant-major is
unable to state how many men the Rifles lost. He is getting on
favourably, and comrades from the 3rd Battalion at Wellington Barracks
are permitted to visit him.

Sergeant Murphy, of the 3rd Battalion of the Rifles, has received a
letter from his brother (who was wounded with the Rifles at Neuve
Chapelle, and is now in hospital at Brighton), in which he says:--"I
think I am a lucky man to get away at all. Our Commanding Officer,
Colonel Laurie, was killed, and all our officers have been nearly
washed out. There was an awful bombardment between the two armies, and
it was only a very odd man that got away without being wounded. The
Germans lost heavily; so did we. I was in a ward with the Germans, and
they told me they were glad they got wounded, for they would have to
be killed anyway."

Rifleman Sharkey, who was wounded, and is in hospital at Netley,
writes:--"We got a bad cutting-up, and lost our beloved Colonel and
adjutant and the two officers of our company."

("_Morning Post_," _September 20th, 1916._)

THE ROYAL IRISH RIFLES.

ULSTER GALLANTRY.

(_From a Military Correspondent._)

"Well done; very well done indeed." Such was the remark of a General
standing at a Ginchy débris heap as the Irish battalions moved past
him on the way to a rest point in the captured line. The numbering of
the platoons did not reach the morning's total, but the men had
conquered, and they bore aloft the trophies of the battle, helmets and
such like, which they waved at the General. All had contributed to the
joy of Ireland from Cork to Derry, Ulsterman and Nationalist, and the
Royal Irish Rifles had made Belfast glad.

Colonel Fitch raised the regiment in Dublin six score years ago, and
the Army of that time called them "Fitch's Grenadiers," because the
men were small of stature. When they fought they were as giants, and
later on the good physique of the men and their hardy endurance earned
them the name of the "Irish Giants." One branch of the regiment was
raised in County Down, and to-day the name is perpetuated in the 4th
and 5th Battalions, which are known as the Royal Down Militia, despite
official changes of designation; and as a further link with the past
the depot is in Belfast and the Record Office in Dublin.

When mobilization was ordered, one battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles
was scorching under the sun at Aden, and the other was at Tidworth, on
Salisbury Plain. The former were to take over the barracks of the
latter, which unit was to commence at Malta, in the Winter of 1914,
and a tour of service abroad. The latter, however, went out with their
Tidworth comrades. It would be covering very old ground to repeat what
magnificent work was done in the Great Retreat, when the Royal Irish
Rifles showed themselves possessed of the grit which had characterised
them at Stormberg, where the writer witnessed them scaling the face of
a cliff of rock to get at the Boers, who had ambushed Gatacre's
force--an unforgettable and heroic sight. In the retreat towards Paris
and the advance to the Aisne Lieutenant-Colonel W.D. Bird, Major C.R.
Spedding, and a dozen others were mentioned by Lord French, and a
D.S.O., a Military Cross, several D.C.M.'s, a Médaille Militaire, and
a special promotion resulted, this being the beginning of many
subsequent rewards.

In the Ypres--Armentières phase of the campaign, when the British Army
skilfully withdrew to the north of the line, the 7th Brigade repulsed
heavy assaults, and both battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles added to
their lists of distinguished names. The victory at Neuve Chapelle
further increased the record of the regiment, whose men charged the
enemy in splendid fashion. Lieutenant-Colonel Laurie was killed, and
his adjutant, Captain Wright, fell by his side, while Major Alston was
also killed. All three were mentioned in despatches, as well as a
score of others. At Hooge the Royal Irish Rifles tried to force their
way into the enemy's lines through uncut entanglement in the face of
machine-gun fire, and their conduct all through the Loos operations
was evidence of the high character of the regiment.

In the operations under Sir Douglas Haig in the early part of 1916
trench warfare, with its brilliant raids, two battalions were named
for distinguished conduct, and the numbers as well as the names of the
battalions were published in the list issued to the Press.

When the great advance began on July 1st, the Ulster Division attacked
the strongest position in the line, and suffered heavily. An officer,
describing this glorious attack, wrote:--"I am not an Ulsterman, but
as I followed the amazing attack of the Ulster Division on July 1st, I
felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the
world." With shouts of "Remember the Boyne" and "No surrender, boys,"
they threw themselves at the Germans, and before they could be
restrained had penetrated to the enemy's fifth line. The Royal Irish
Rifles went through hell that day, and sought out the machine gunners
at the bayonet's point. There has been nothing finer in the war than
this charge.

What the regiment did at Guillemont and Ginchy is the talk of the
moment, for, with the other Irish battalions, they accounted for all
who came in their front--Guards, Line, and guns. Perhaps the two
latest awards are among the best. The Victoria Cross was won by
Privates Robert Quigg and William McFadzean. The former went out seven
times in the heaviest fire for wounded men. The latter gave his life
for his comrades by throwing himself on the top of two bombs and
taking the whole force of the two explosions. He was blown to pieces.
There are many other battle phases and incidents worthy of record, but
that which has been written is enough to show what the old 83rd and
86th Foot, the men of County Down, Belfast, Antrim, the Young
Citizens, and the others have done, and are doing, in this tremendous
combat.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING.[14]

OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN--

I am very glad to have been able to see my Army in the Field.

I much wished to do so in order to gain a slight experience of the
life you are leading.

I wish I could have spoken to you all, to express my admiration of the
splendid manner in which you have fought and are still fighting
against a powerful and relentless enemy.

By your discipline, pluck and endurance, inspired by the indomitable
regimental spirit, you have not only upheld the tradition of the
British Army, but added fresh lustre to its history.

I was particularly impressed by your soldierly, healthy, cheerful
appearance.

I cannot share in your trials, dangers and successes; but I can assure
you of the proud confidence and gratitude of myself and of your fellow
countrymen.

We follow you in our daily thoughts on your certain road to victory.

                                           GEORGE, R.I.
                                        _December 5th, 1914._

  GENERAL HEADQUARTERS.

R.I.R.'s AT NEUVE CHAPELLE.

[_A Poem written by Rifleman J. Dickson._]

DEAR FRANC,

Just a few lines of verse about the Royal Irish Rifles at Neuve
Chapelle.--Yours truly,

                          No. 9180 RIFLEMAN J. DICKSON,
       _"A" Coy., 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, Dublin._

    Come, please just pay attention, and a story I will tell
    Of how the gallant R.I.R.'s were the first in Neuve Chapelle;
    Colonel Laurie gave the order for the regiment to advance,
    And when they met the Germans our boys did make them dance.

    With bayonets fixed we rushed them, though outnumbered five to one;
    Each one did prove a hero, and many a gallant deed was done;
    Our noble Colonel, he was killed, our Major fell as well,
    And a score of our brave officers lost their lives at Neuve Chapelle.

    Our men were lost in hundreds, no regiment could do more,
    And when the fight was over our officers numbered four;
    Yet manfully they struggled amidst that living hell,
    And out of all the British Army were the first in Neuve Chapelle.

    Then here's to the gallant R.I.R., those riflemen so brave,
    Who nobly did their duty and found a soldier's grave;
    So may their glory ever shine, for they have proved their worth,
    And laurels brought to Ireland for the honour of the North.

"THE MAN OF SORROWS."

    God hath sent thee many trials,
      But strength is as thy day;
    Do not despair or say, my child,
      "I have no heart to pray."
    For God's ways are not your ways,
      And tho' thou art bereft
    Of all that's most endearing,
      There is one comfort left.

    When a dear one has departed
      To enter into rest,
    And you feel so broken-hearted
      That you cannot say "'Tis best";
    There is One Who will always help you
      And bring you great relief:
    For He was a Man of Sorrows
      And acquainted sore with grief.

    When your dearest idol's taken
      And you are dumb with pain;
    When your faith in man is shaken
      And everything seems vain,
    There is One you can rely on,
      Tho' of sinners you are chief:
    For He was a Man of Sorrows
      And acquainted sore with grief.

    Oh! weary, wandering, wilful child,
      Think of that dying thief,
    Who sought his Saviour, e'en tho' late,
      In the bitterness of grief;
    And say no more you are alone,
      Bereft of every friend:
    The Man of Sorrows is your stay
      And comfort to the end.

           --DORCAS SKEFFINGTON.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Major Herbert Stepney, Irish Guards, was killed while commanding the
Battalion in the first Battle of Ypres.

[2] Major Osbert Clinton-Baker, of Bayfordbury, Hertfordshire,
Second-in-Command 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, gazetted Colonel of
the Regiment in May, about two months after Colonel Laurie fell. He was
mortally wounded and missing at Fromelles on May 9th, 1915.

[3] Capt. Haliburton Laurie fell in the South African War at
Philippolis, on a kopje, while rescuing a wounded patrol.

[4] Afterwards Brigadier-General Napier. Previous to the war he
commanded the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles in Aldershot and Dover. He was
killed while landing troops in Gallipoli during the summer of 1915.

[5] Sir Nevil Macready, at this time Adjutant-General of our Forces.

[6] The number of killed amounted to 44 and 88 wounded.

[7] Colonel Horsborgh was taken ill suddenly on the transport returning
from Aden, and he was buried at sea by Colonel Laurie.

[8] See page 119.

[9] General Laurie and his brother. Colonel Dyson-Laurie, went to the
Crimean War when quite young boys, aged respectively 18 and 15. Appended
is an article written by the former, and is of interest in drawing a
contrast between the conditions of war in 1854 and those of the late
war.

[10] Brigadier-Gen. Lowry Cole fell in action at the Battle of
Fromelles, May 9th, 1915.

[11] General Bird commanded the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, and was
through the severe fighting of the Battle of the Aisne and the Retreat
from Mons, where he was terribly wounded and lost his leg.

[12] Lieut. W.F.E. Denison (Sherwood Foresters) served in the Great War,
and fell mortally wounded in the last German advance near Cambrai on
March 24th, 1918.

[13] Civil and Military.

[14] See page 29.

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