The hope proved vain The British Expeditionary Force in other areas was under great threat and soon the Rifles would receive orders to withdraw to Brussels. After Ulster Royal Rifles on a makeshift pier at Dunkirk Beach WW2 photo 4x6 #30. The escape from Dunkirk of soldiers from the Royal Ulster Rifles is recalled in a new BBC NI documentary. these and other actions, and the Battalion mortar platoon, firing from the sinking. British ships arrive off the beaches at Dunkirk around 3rd June 1940. At one point during 16th May 1940, enemy fire struck the trench from all sides and the silence from within signalled the worst. By dusk Message from King George VI read to 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles. At 0230hrs on 1st June 1940, 7th Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery, still supporting 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles fired their final shell. Sergeant Charles Michael Brandon lived in Belfast before serving in Belgium with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles where he died on 29th May 1940. The smell hanging in the air, in fact came from an electric battery factory destroyed by Luftwaffe bombing. In the situation on other parts of the front must have deteriorated gravely during the next V.I.P. Platoon Sergeant Major Wilson also of D Company kept his men “particularly cheerful” and Rifleman Crowe the Company Cook showed indignation at being wounded while he cooked dinner. anti-tank rifles and Brens for their own rifles. This began one of the worst days of the campaign for the Battalion. In early 1940, the weather on the Western Front was cold and wet. In total, more than 340,000 soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force returned from Dunkirk between 28th May and 4th June 1940. The Royal Ulster Rifles (formerly Royal Irish Rifles) was a British Army infantry regiment. withdrawal. Condition: New. in houses overlooking the railway line, also gave prompt response to all calls had occupied and held Louvain. Rifleman Ross Dickson Turner of Belfast died during fighting on 29th May 1940 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles withdrew closer to the French coastline. By this stage, the Battalion had run out of maps. Scotia. The Wehrmacht immediately began reducing the … proved to be a very tiring night march with all weapons up to anti-tank this lull in the fighting it is interesting, in the light of later knowledge, relentlessly and successfully against the French, failed to press home any day a Lieutenant reported from the London Irish Rifles on the new exchange Divison control staff would take over and direct soldiers to temporary piers and onto waiting vessels. Lieutenant Garstin made good use of the subway, emerging on occasion to fire his Bren Gun before returning underground. Each was repulsed, but a Company- WW2 Talk Forums. move forward via Roubaix - Oudenarde - Alost and north of Brussels was By this stage, the Rifles had its own teams of cow milkers, fowl catchers, and pig butchers. Details about Ulster Royal Rifles on a makeshift pier at Dunkirk Beach WW2 photo 4x6 #30. From Smoke billows in the air from burning oil storage tanks. Men of the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles awaiting evacuation at Bray Dunes, near Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo in May 1940. destined to remain there long. During The Rifles would be going into uncertain territory armed with Bren Guns and Anti-Tank Rifles. The Royal Irish Rifles (became the Royal Ulster Rifles from 1 January 1921) was an infantry rifle regiment of the British Army, first created in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot and the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot. During Short but fierce engagements took place at the Bala-Tiger post with effective use of hand grenades by the Rifles. Brussels trams had already stopped running and, although the stations were Rifleman Patrick Joseph Treanor of Newry, Co. Down died on 28th May 1940 as the Royal Ulster Rifles held the rear guard of the British Expeditionary Force. Sergeant Thomas Leslie of Mayfair Street, Belfast died on 28th May 1940 as the Royal Ulster Rifles fought in Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force. John Arlow died on 29th May 1940 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles held off enemy attacks furing the BEF's retreat that would end at Dunkirk, France. Despite the sleepless nights and long marches, the Battalion spruced itself up for their arrival. British officer served with 2nd Bn Royal Ulster Rifles, 9th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in GB, France and Belgium, 1939-1942; served as staff officer with 2nd Parachute Bde, 1st Airborne Div in GB, North Africa and Italy, 4/1943-10/1943; served with 1st Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers in Italy, 10/1943-2/1944; commanded 6th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 38th (Irish) Infantry Bde, 78th Infantry Div Football Over 338,000 men were now trapped in the French port of Dunkirk (Dunkerque) where they faced surrender and capture. 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, like many others in the British Expeditionary Force enjoyed a few days of respite. A shell penetrated the roof of the building they occupied but failed to explode until it landed in the unoccupied cellar beneath. Meanwhile, Reserve Companies enjoyed bathing in a local stream, and Padre Neill returned laden with refreshments from an abandoned NAAFI train. The withdrawal was quiet and uneventful with only an occasional shell burst sounding over the city. arrived in the half-light of May 28 and spent the morning digging in. It saw service in the Second Boer War, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968. from the cemetery, inclusive, on the right, to one hundred yards north of the Battalion Doctor Captain Patterson even delivered a baby in the cellar beneath his post on the day of the Rifles’ departure. From behind the cover of railway cars at the station, German snipers and machine gunners operated. At 0900hrs, the troops rested for 2-3 hours awaiting the arrival of more troops on vehicles. Occasional shelling interrupted the conference, which lasted several hours. During the previous night, the enemy made several attempts to penetrate the line. was received at Battalion H.Q. Imperial War Museum Photo: C 1720 (Part of the Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection). Bredin and "D" Company found an Isle of Man steamer, the captain of railway station the Rifles held the entrance, together with the subways and one At Field Regiment, in support of the Battalion, did some magnificent shooting in rest of the short journey was quickly over. Imperial War Museum Photo: HU 1133 (Part of the Major H E N Bredin Collection). One of those recipients also received a severe reprimand on the same day. and Second-in-Command, with memories of the 1914-18 war, knew roughly what to Soon after, the German Army penetrated the line at the railway station but a counterattack from the Rifles restored the situation. At 0800hrs on 19th May 1940, the Battalion was to withdraw some 33 miles in broad daylight. withdrawal being given to the enemy, even from the Bala-Tiger post. At 1900hrs on 27th May 1940, Lieutenant AF Ruxton arrived with news of the next withdrawal. Compared to the fighting in Louvain, it was less pressing although A Company’s Headquarters had a lucky escape. on the burning hulk and in the sea around. By nightfall, the Battalion was ready to move. The RUR were part of the British Expeditionary Force in Europe. At 1100hrs, the leading soldiers of the Battalion boarded a Destroyer at the Dunkirk Mole. The Rifles also fought off some enemy motorcycles and light tanks. He realises that he needs everyone to know very clearly that he is the senior naval officer, so he tears out an S, an N and an O from a cigarette packet and sticks it onto his helmet with fish oil. Orders came early in the day for a further withdrawal to Bulscamp that evening. south, the situation was almost equally perilous. communiqué issued by G.H.Q. Designer, developer, DJ, and writer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. air activity over Bulscamp in the direction of the sea portended the worst for Captain Drummond decided the town was unsafe and as one, the Battalion made for the beaches. The Royal Ulster Rifles at Dunkirk Men of the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles awaiting evacuation at Bray Dunes, near Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo in May 1940. and other troop movement delayed the first part of the Battalion on the move 3rd Infantry Division took up position on the River Dyle. top of the bank where the near railway line acted as a rifle rest and the only When Major Benson mentioned this, the Non-Commissioned Officer quipped: As a matter of fact, sir, I didn’t deserve wither, so I’m about quits on the deal. Lieutenant Tighe-Wood and Lieutenant Coddington received mention in the Battalion diaries for their distinguishing work. The night of 16th May 1940 saw the successful withdrawal of 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles from Louvain. Town Hall at 05.30 hours. At Tourcoing, Montgomery presented awards for valour but in reality, the battle for France was all but over. units of the French Army. destroyer and had a swift uneventful crossing. They helped drown out the noise of any retreating troops and by 2230hrs, the Battalion was once again on the march. Members of Royal Ulster Rifles waiting on improvised pier of lorries to evacuate Dunkirk during low tide. It saw service in the Second Boer War, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968. squeezed on to the crowded deck. During Many of the Riflemen were sad to leave Louvain. The There, they made use of the many commandeered vehicles and bicycles. Dunkirk evacuation: Miracle of Operation Dynamo, in pictures. The 11-mile march through soft sand halted frequently as Messerschmitts strafed and bombed the coastline. He convinced the Captain to overfill the vessel to ensure all his Company got on board. platform (barbed wire was nailed to the sleepers), while the enemy held the Rifleman George McNeill died on 28th May 1940 while serving with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles as part of the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium. of the men were seasick, but recovered sufficiently to take part in a salle de again bad news from other parts of the front caused a sudden summons of the Embarkation would take place at La Panne until 0400hrs and at Bray-Dunes afterward. New York City, United States Members of Royal Ulster Rifles waiting on improvised pier of lorries to evacuate Dunkirk during low tide. which announced that he could not take the whole party; he was, however, 0700 hours, contact was made with enemy motorcyclists and light tanks. Additional artillery cover came from the 2-pounders of Lieutenant HGJ Coddington’s Platoon. The order in the British Expeditionary Force was: Fight to the last man, and the last round. One man noted for his bravery on 15th May 1940 was Corporal Jabez Edward Gibbens of Nottinghamshire. been the Battalion position, probably the prelude to an attack, as it was not medieval fort which, in the course of years, had become a large green mound, One such report stated the enemy was using chlorine gas and so most of the Battalion arrived in the town wearing respirators. Most of the flying was at much greater heights than was depicted in the film. recce. route near Alost before the column could get through. He was able to squeeze through a porthole and swim to safety. weather was cold and wet, which made digging operations east and west of The first Royal Ulster Rifles shots of the Second World War had been fired. Cherbourg was cold, wet and rough. Discussions had taken place outside of the Royal Ulster Rifles’ knowing. By this stage of the retreat, it was accepted that men would help themselves to milk and eggs from farms, and other stock from abandoned NAAFI stores. Lieutenant JCSG De Longeuil and Sergeant McConville’s Carrier Platoon acted as a covering rear party. As day broke on 28th May 1940, the Battalion dug in at Boezinghe. He served in Belgium with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in the BEF. The Battalion established their position shortly after 1830hrs. Twice, he broke up attacks on his Platoon by moving into an exposed area on the flank and opening up with Bren gun fire. Wikipedia With members of the Battalion crossing on ships small and large, they reassembled at Somerset a week later. Staff-then General Sir Edmund Ironside. 2 RUR awaiting evacuation from the beaches (IWM). rifles. dawn. On 31 May, the enemy concentrated on attacking the Belgian half of the bridgehead that would be evacuated during the coming night. They mobilised on 1st September 1939 and a month later, the soldiers were in France; first Cherbourg, then Parennes, Templemars, and on to Lezennes near Lille. On 24th May 1940, German High Command gave an inexplicable “halt” order. Moments later, a shout went up from Lieutenant Bredin and his Bren Gun let fly again. expect within the next twenty-four hours or so; the remainder of the Battalion 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles fought throughout the Second World War including famous moments such as Dunkirk and D-Day. It was Rifleman Andrew Kerr of Armitage Street, Belfast died on 29th May 1940 while serving in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Dunkirk Evacuation. The Rifles took it out with a burst of fire from a Bren Gun. 's progress. Troops and vehicles of almost every Division of the Expeditionary Force wound up the main Ypres-Furnes Road. At 2300 hours it was decided Sergeant Major and one Rifleman were reported to be missing, presumably By conference lasted a long time and was interrupted by occasional shell bursts went forward quietly, documents, kit and clothing were reluctantly destroyed, As part of Montgomery’s 3rd Division, long route marches were part of the Battalion’s intensive training. most unpleasant post was unquestionably the narrow trench in the cinders and digging begun. The Rifles held the trench until ordered to withdraw. To date, 10 soldiers from the Battalion had died during the evacuation. 0800 hours the Divisional Commander, Major-General Montgomery, arrived at As the troops disembarked at Dover the captain of the destroyer, who Lieutenant Davis had acquired a bright red 20-ton lorry and was fortunate to be able to stick to mainly straight roads. speed in response to an S.O.S. On the way to Louvain, the Battalion heard many rumours and false reports. General Kirwan died 25-08-1956, aged 73, in Galway, Ireland. There, he received orders to board a Destroyer. arrival of the Hun. decks were wakened by the ship scraping alongside what was thought, at first, A soldier of the British Army walks through the streets of Louvain, Belgium with an old local woman. In the summer of 1950 the 1st Battalion the Royal Ulster Rifles then stationed in Sobraon Barracks Colchester engaged in the normal duties of a Field Service Battalion in a peace-time garrison. In the Dunkirk was a victory for morale but ultimately a humiliating military defeat ... Men of the 2nd Royal Ulster Rifles awaiting evacuation at Bray Dunes, near Dunkirk, 1940. late in the day and the issue of orders for a further On May Initial reports indicated a total of 34 soldiers killed, 70 injured, and a further 70 taken prisoner of war. remainder of the night was spent in spasmodic movement and many long finding on secondary roads at night with an unusual assortment of transport, in most cases across the open, without at first receiving any marked attention Near 11.30 on May 12th, after watching the city being dive-bombed, the C.O. Rifleman William Weir of Belfast died on 29th May 1940 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles engaged the enemy in the rearguard of the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Shortly 3rd Division and 4th Division were to board ships during the night of 31st May 1940, although no one knew what shipping was available. Once again the billets were good, but This was the period known as the “Phoney War”. "C" Royal Ulster Rifles Official history of 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during World War 2 - Sword Beach to Bremen. Rifleman Ritchie Rea Matthews of Belfast died on 14th May 1940 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles held positions near the railway at Louvain, Belgium. including still serviceable bicycles, and with the inevitable intermingling of The Anti-Tank platoon lost their 2 guns and many troops became prisoners. the end of the first World War, in October 1918, the 2nd Battalion had fought other platform twenty-five yards distant., Every now and then Lieutenant Rifleman Joseph Coyle of Lislea, Co. Armagh died on 15th May 1940 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles held off enemy attacks in the city of Louvain. Rifleman James Thomas Wallace died between 29th May 1940 and 2nd June 1940 during the final stages of 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles retreat to Dunkirk. This involved intensive digging in snow and frost. The Battalion soon became a part of the 31st Independent Infantry Brigade and was billeted in … with came the first casualty to the Battalion on active service. Members of Royal Ulster Rifles waiting on an improvised pier of lorries to evacuate Dunkirk during low tide.