1 Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers

[kevinski]

My relative, Pte George Langley 11945, died on the first day of the Somme (1 July 1916). I am interested to know about his earlier service. According to his medal card in the National Archive, he was entitled to the Star/BWM/Victory trio for service in "2 (B) Balkans" in August 1915. However, I cannot find any record of 1 Roy Ir Fus being in that theatre at that time.

[simmo1]

Hi

You seem to be right from - https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/ca...GLEY,%20GEORGE and https://www.1914-1918.net/rifus.htm . The only thing I can suggest is to look at the actual medal roll, incase he was with another battalion which went to the Balkans, and was transferred to the 1st due to being wounded or some other reason and was with them in France when he was killed. The medal roll will list other battalions - https://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/campaignmedals.html

regards

Robert

[kevinski]

Thanks for this. The medal roll is difficult to read but it does not specify the battalion. It turns out that 2 B Balkans refers to Gallipoli, even though it is not in the Balkans. 5/6 battalions of the RIF were sent there, and when they were withdrawn were sent to Salonika. Two possibilities come to mind: either George was originally in 5 or 6 Battalion, and later transferred to 1 Battalion, or (more likely) he was a regular soldier in 1 Battalion, and was seconded to 5 or 6 when they were raised as part of Kitchener's Army (in his home town of Lurgan), transferring back after Galipoli. Apparently they did that to sprinkle a few experienced soldiers among the raw recruits.

[simmo1]

HI

Are you talking about the Medal Index Card, which you have From National Archives (also on Ancestry in colour and clearer), or the actual Medal Roll it refers to, they are different as indicated in my link above. He will be listed in 2 medal rolls, one for the star and the other for the pair. Medal Rolls are not online.

regards

Robert