3746 Private John Dunne Late Royal Irish Regiment - Royal Garrison Regiment - Royal Fusiliers.
Date	Summary of Events and Information	Reference
10th Jul 1873	John was born to Henry and Anastasia Dunne.	Mr J. Dunne
10th Dec 1890	John joins the Royal Irish Regiment and was attested into the regiment at Clonmel County Tipperary. On his Attestation form he declares prior military service with the 4th Royal Irish Regiment. This was an extra reserve battalion of the Special Reserve. The Special Reserve This was a part time organisation, each County regiment had two Regular Battalions the 1st and 2nd and a Special Reserve Battalion the 3rd, some regiments such as the Royal Irish had an Extra Reserve Battalion the 4th. A man joined for an initial six year term and after completing his basic training usually (six months) he returned to civilian employment. He then undertook four weeks military training annually. The role of the Special Reserve in time of war was home garrison duties and to train replacement drafts for the two regular battalions.	Attestation Sheet. Army Form B. 265. WFA. Stand To.
11th Dec 1890	John was described on joining as, having a fair complexion, blue eyes light brown hair and standing 5 feet 3 ¾ inches tall with no distinctive marks. He declared his age at 17 years and 5 months and his religious calling as Roman Catholic. His stated employment was that of a Messenger. Next Of Kin Brother (older) Thomas, serving with the Royal Irish Regiment. Step Sister (older) Bridget Neill, Well Lane, Waterford.	Military Description Sheet 1890. Attestation Form 1890. Military History Sheet 1890.
8th Apr 1890	Having completed his basic training Pte J. Dunne was posted to the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment. Serving in Colchester, England and then the Curragh, Ireland.	Statement of Service 1890 Military History Sheet.
10th Jul 1891	Pte J. Dunne attained his eighteenth birthday.	Statement of Service
10th Dec 1892	Granted good conduct pay.	Statement of Service
6th Mar 1894. To 22nd Mar 1894.	Pte J. Dunne went absent without leave (AWOL) for a period of 17 days.	Statement of Service
21st Nov 1894. To 27th Nov 1894	Pte J. Dunne again went absent without leave (AWOL) this time for 7 days. As his Company Conduct Sheets don’t survive we don’t know what punishment was awarded for these misdemeanours. The usual punishment was to forfeit one day’s pay for each day absent.	Statement of Service
10th Dec 1894. To 30th Oct 1898	Posted to the 2nd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment. Pte J. Dunne joins the Battalion in India and during his time with them is stationed in Lucknow, Jubbulpore and Kohat. 28th Nov 1895 granted good conduct pay @ 1d daily. 28th May 1897 granted good conduct pay @ 2d daily	Statement of Service Military History Sheet
1st Nov 1898. To 4th Dec 1899	Under a special administrative order dated 20th Oct 1898. Pte J. Dunne is transferred to the active reserve Sec A. Under administrative order of 2nd Dec 1899 Pte J. Dunne reverts to Sec B. and rejoins the colours and on the 4th Dec 1899 is posted back to the 1st Battalion.	Statement of Service
14th Dec 1899. To 4th Aug 1902.	The Boer War The 1st Battalion sailed on the Gascon on the 14th Dec 1899, and arrived at Cape town on the 7th Jan 1900. They became part of the 12th Brigade under Major- General Clements until it was broken up in Jul / Aug 1900. They were then Brigaded under General Smith-Dorrien and placed under the Divisional command of General Ian Hamiliton. In recognition of the work done by the Royal Irish Regiment the 1st Battalion was taken to Pretoria to represent Ireland at the ceremony of proclaiming the annexation of the Transvaal on the 25th Oct 1900. Medals And Awards Queens South Africa Medal Battle Clasps: Belfast – Wittebergen – Cape Colony.	Our Regiments in South Africa. WO100/177
5th Aug 1902. To 9th Aug 1902.	Posted to the Depot and on the 9th Dec 1902 was discharged on the termination of his first engagement. He received a War Gratuity of £6.15s.00d and with deferred pay a total of £28.1s.3d a good sum in 1902.	Statement of Service
20th Jan 1903	John did not remain a civilian for long after only five months he re-enlists, this time into the Royal Garrison Regiment at Waterford. This regiment was also known as the Royal Home Counties Regiment. It was raised with a number of other regiments to relieve the regiments in South Africa. Raised 1900 disbanded 1907. On his new physical description sheet we can note John now 29 years and 3 months, has put on an extra 3 inches in height and 47 pounds in weight, he has also acquired some tattoos. Next Of Kin Brother (older) Thomas. Now living at 2 Harrington Lane off Barrack Street, Waterford.	Attestation Sheet 1903. Military description Sheet 1903. Military History Sheet 1903.
30th Aug 1903 To 29th Jul 1905	He is posted to the 1st Battalion who are stationed in Malta. He did not remain in Malta for long. On the 29th Apr 1904 the regiment was redeployed to South Africa Maritzburg this was familiar ground to John having served in the Boar War with the Royal Irish Regiment.	Military History Sheet.
28th Jul 1905 To 1st Aug 1905	On his return to the United kingdom 6685 Private John Dunne requested and was granted a discharge on the 1st Aug 1905. He was granted a bounty of £31-0s-0d	Statement of Service Sheet 1903.
15th Sept 1914 To 19th Oct 1914	Now aged 41 years and Married (8th Apr1904) to Bridget Dunne (nee Walsh) of Strand Street, Dungarvan. John once again answers the call and rejoins the colours. He rejoins his old regiment the Royal Irish at Dungarvan, he enlists for one year? Posted to the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment who were stationed at Dublin. It is with this unit he would have undergone basic or refresher training.	Statement of Service Sheet 1914. British Regiments1914 1918
21st Oct 1914. To 21st May 1916	Posted to the 2nd Battalion who had deployed to France on 13th Aug 1914. John joins them in the field. An entry in the unit war diary notes that by the 20th Oct. the Battalion was reduced to a Second Lieutenant and 135 other ranks. This from an original strength of about 1200 all ranks. Sent to St Omer where they served on Line of Communication duties. Refitted and reformed as a regiment they then joined the 12th Brigade, 4th Division on 14th Mar 1915. It is more than likely John joined them during the refit. On the 26th July the Battalion transferred to the 11th Brigade still in the 4th Division. During his time in this unit the 4th Division was involved in the following battles. 1915 Battle of St. Julian 25th April – 4th May. 3rd May moved up to the firing line at St Julian, War Diary records Battalions first experience of poison gas. Battle of Frezenberg Ridge 8th – 13th May. 8th and 9th May heavily shelled. Relived and moved to billets north east of Popreinghe. During this period of duty in the line the Battalion suffered 205 casualties. Battle of Bellewarde Ridge 24th - 25th May. On the 24th May, at 2 a.m. the Battalion stood to arms. At 2.20 a.m. the enemy preceded by gas, attacked. A gentle breeze brought the full volume of the gas on to that part of the line occupied by the Battalion. Many being overcome by the gas. The enemy having gained our trenches worked their way along bombing with hand grenades. With only a few Royal Irish now being left they were not checked until they reached the Kings Own. The survivors withdrew at 6 p.m. to bivouacs at La Brique. Other Rank casualties 379.	Order of Battle of Divisions Part 1. British Battalions On the Western Front Jan. 1915 Jun. 1915.
22nd May1916. To 13th Oct 1916	The Battalion is transferred to the 22nd Brigade a part of the 7th Division. During his time with this unit the Division took part in the following battles and actions. 1916 Battles Of The Somme Battle of Albert and Capture of Mametz 1st – 5th Jul. 1st Jul. 22nd Brigade in reserve for attack at Mametz. A Company sent forward to consolidate position in village, D Company later reinforced the 22nd Manchester’s both Companies rejoined the Battalion at dawn. 4th Jul. attacked Strip Trench in front of Mametz Wood heavy machine gun fire forced withdrawal to Mametz. Reformed at Mansell Copse. Assault made on Wood Trench 10.15 p.m. 5th Jul leading waves went forward. Company assaulting Wood Trench found wire thick and uncut and were soon shot down. Relived at 3.30 a.m. Casualties-227 Battle of Bazentin Ridge 14th - 17th Jul. 13th Jul. Assembled in Mametz Wood, 14th Jul attack on Bazentin-le-petit, gains held against heavy shelling and a series of strong counter attacks. Relived during the evening. Casualties-326. Battle of Guillemont 3rd – 7th Sept. 20th Jul. Entrained at Albert for La Chaussee. 13th Aug to Dernancourt and 26th Aug. to Pommiers Redoubt. In action at Ginchy 3rd and 4th Sept.	Part 1. British Battalions on the Somme 1916.
14th Oct 1916. To 22nd Apr 1916.	The Battalion is again transferred this time to the 49th Brigade a unit of the 16th (Irish) Division. The Division took part in the following battles and actions in 1917. 1917 Battle of Messiness 7th to 9th Jun. Capture of Wytschaete 7th Jun. Battles Of Ypres Battle of Pilckem Ridge 31st Jul to 2nd Aug. Battle of Langermarck 16th to 18th Aug. Attack north of Bullecourt 20th Nov.1918 First Battle of the Somme 21st Mar to 3rd Apr. Also known as the German Spring Offensive or to the Germans as The Kaiserschlact. Between the 21st Mar. and 3rd Apr. the 16th (Irish) Division had 7149 casualties and were pulled out of the line and returned to England to refit.	Order of Battle of Divisions Part 1.
23rd Apr. 1918. To 9th Nov 1918	The Battalion is again transferred this time to the 63rd Naval Division. During its time in this Division the Battalion took part in the following battles and actions. 1918 Advance To Victory Second Battle Of The Somme Battle of Albert 21st to 23rd Aug. Second Battles Of Arras Battle of the Drocourt-Queant line 2nd to 3rd Sept. Battles Of The Hindenburg Line. Battle of the Canal du Nord 27th Sept to 1st Oct. Battle of Cambrai 8th Oct. Capture of Niergnies 8th Oct. The Final Advance In Picardy. Passage of the Grande Honnelle 7th Nov.	Order of Battle of Divisions Part 3A and 3B.
10th Nov 1918. To 4th Mar 1919	John transfers to the 43rd (Garrison) Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Formed in France in 1918 for duty at the five Army Headquarters. He is posted for the last time on the 3rd Feb 1919 to the 28 Garrison Company. Honours And Awards 1914 (Mons) Star. British War Medal. Victory Medal.	Military History Sheet. Medal Index Card.
5th Mar 1919	112263 Private John Dunne is discharged from the army and returns to his wife Bridget and children at 5 Thomas’s Street, Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland.	Statement of Service