Current Information:

Enlisted-Lambeth

On 27th February, 1917, the 1st Royal Irish Rifles battalion of 25 Brigade, 8th Division took over support trenches at Bouchavesnes, a few mile to the north of Péronne on the Somme battlefield, where they remained until relieved on 2nd March. On 4th March there was an attack by 23 and 24 Brigades against Pallas and Fritz Trenches, with 25 Brigade in reserve. At noon a company of 1st Royal Irish Rifles carried ammunition and supplies up to the 2nd Royal Berkshire battalion in the captured trenches and at 6 pm the rest of the battalion were ordered to move up and relieve 2nd Lincolnshire. This meant taking up a position in the old front line where they were subjected to very heavy shelling during the night. During the next day, 5th March, the shelling continued and that evening they relieved 2nd Berkshire in the new front line. Here they remained until 8th March during which time they would have been subjected to the many discomforts and dangers of manning front line trenches. This included the persistent shelling which caused a number of casualties for 1st Royal Irish Rifles including Frederick Smith who was killed in action on 5th March.