Comments by "51WCDodge" (@51WCDodge) on "The Irish Divisions in the 1918 Spring Offensive" video.

  1. One very odd point of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Great War . D Company (Royal Militia Island of Jersey) 7th Royal Irish Rifles. Jerseymen for historical reasons could not be conscripted into the British Army. However the Island was home to the oldest organised military force in England. From 1284 after the Island's chose to remain with the Duc Of Normandy, through his later claim to the English Crown (Yes, the Channel Island's own England) there was a requirment for all able bodied men to serve in a force to prevent French incursions. On the outbreack of the Great War the RMIJ, asked for volunteers to serve oversea's. In 1915 , 300 men voluntered. It should be note dthe War Office required soem RMIJ to remain as gaurds at POW camps on the Island , and in defence in case of invasion. As 300 men were not enough to form a unit on thier own, the men were attached , for various reasons, including political to an Irish regimane, the 7th RIR. They served in the Somme and during the Spring Offensive.
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  2. And until recently, wer egiven a very bad time, by the Republic when they moved back.
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  3. They are, the area around the Somme is very pleaseant rural countryside. Hard to get your head around when you see it now on a fine spring evening.
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