Royal Munster Fusiliers (Reserves) facts for kids
The Royal Munster Fusiliers were an important army group in Ireland. They had a main training base, called a 'depot', at Ballymullen Barracks in Tralee, County Kerry. From 1881, most new soldiers joined here. They got their first training before going to other army groups. These groups were stationed across the UK and Ireland. Experienced officers also trained part-time soldiers. These training sessions happened during yearly camps and special courses.
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Reserve Battalions: Getting Ready for War
The Royal Munster Fusiliers had three special groups called reserve battalions. These were the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Battalions. They were made of soldiers who could be called up if needed.
Mobilizing for Duty
When World War I started on August 4, 1914, all three reserve battalions were called into action. The special flags of the regiment were sent to Tralee for safekeeping. The 4th Battalion, once known as the Kerry Militia, had a big send-off as they left for Berehaven.
The 3rd Battalion, formerly the South Cork Militia, gathered at Kinsale. They then moved to Queenstown. The 5th Battalion, once the Royal Limerick County Militia, started at the Strand Barracks in Limerick. They then joined the 4th Battalion.
Their first job was to guard the coast. But the 2nd Battalion, a regular army group, lost many soldiers quickly. So, many of the reserve soldiers, especially from the 3rd Battalion, were sent to help rebuild it. In May 1915, the 3rd Battalion moved to Aghada, Cork Harbour. From 1917, they were based at Ballincollig.
Where They Served
The 4th and 5th Battalions went to England. They helped guard the coast there because people worried about an invasion. The 4th went to Redcar in Yorkshire. The 5th went to North Shields in County Durham. Both groups were well-liked during their time in England.
By the end of 1915, they returned to Ireland. The 5th Battalion was sent to the Curragh. The 4th went to Fermoy, then to Bere Island in February 1916. All three reserve battalions were now in places they would stay for most of the war. The 3rd Battalion was the strongest, with many officers and soldiers. The other two were smaller.
Most of these reserve soldiers did not die in battle. They were only sent to fight if other battalions needed replacements. Some Royal Munster Fusiliers were sent to Dublin during the 1916 Rebellion. Others went to Wexford and Galway. None of them were killed during this event.
The End of Their Service
In April 1917, the 4th Battalion joined the 5th Battalion at the Curragh. In August, the 4th moved to Castlebar in County Mayo. The 5th moved to Galway.
As the political situation changed in Ireland, with more support for Sinn Féin, the loyalty of these soldiers was tested. There were reports of weapons going missing. Because of this, the battalions were moved out of Ireland in November. The 3rd went to Devonport in England. The others went to Scotland: the 4th to Invergordon and the 5th to Dreghorn.
In April 1918, any Irish battalions still in Ireland were moved to England. This was because there was a chance that more people in Ireland would have to join the army. The Royal Munster Fusiliers moved again. The 3rd went to Plymouth. The 4th went to Portobello. The 5th went to Fort George. By August, all three groups joined together at Plymouth.
In June 1919, the 3rd Battalion became part of the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers. The main training base in Tralee and the remaining reserve soldiers moved to Devonport in England. They were officially disbanded, or closed down, on July 31, 1922.
Garrison Battalions: Guarding Important Places
Garrison battalions were special groups formed by the Royal Munster Fusiliers in April 1917. They were one of only four Irish regiments to create such groups during the war. These battalions were mostly made up of soldiers who were no longer fit for front-line fighting.
The 1st Garrison Battalion was formed at Victoria Barracks in Cork. It included soldiers from other garrison groups, plus men from the Leinster Regiment, the Connaught Rangers, and the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
Guarding the Irish Coast
This garrison group provided guards for the southern coast of Ireland. Their area stretched from the Shannon estuary to Arklow, County Wicklow. One important place they guarded was the Kynock Ammunition Factory. This factory employed 4,000 people. A mysterious explosion happened there on September 21-22, 1917, killing 27 people.
In November, this garrison battalion, along with other Irish battalions, was moved to England. They were first stationed at Press Heath in Shropshire. Then, in January 1918, they moved to Italy. They were based at Arquata Scrivia. Their job there was to guard the British army headquarters, airfields, ammunition stores, and communication lines. They returned to Portsmouth, England, in April 1920 and were disbanded the next month.
The 2nd Garrison Battalion
The 2nd Garrison Battalion was formed in April 1918 at Portsmouth. It was made up of soldiers who remained after the 1st Garrison Battalion left for Italy. This unit sent and received soldiers for many Irish regiments serving abroad. This meant that the people in the unit changed often. The 2nd Garrison Battalion was disbanded in February 1919.
New Army Battalions
The history of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Battalions, which were part of the 'New Army', can be found here:
