Contributed by Des Harper

My father, Fred Harper of Dungiven, was in the 10th Batallion, 'C' Company of the Inniskilling Fusiliers from, I think, some time in 1916 until the end of the war.

I enclose a photo of my father with a group of his comrades in training at Finner Camp in Co Donegal probably in 1916, though I am not sure of the exact date when he enlisted.

10th Batallion, 'C' Company of the Inniskilling Fusiliers - circa 1916

Although he didn't talk very much about the war, he did mention Ypres and St Quentin. My nephew has his campaign medals, from which we could probably work out roughly when this photo was taken.

My father is on the extreme right in the middle row. He was Fred Harper of Dungiven, Co Derry. He had at least two other brothers who also served in the First World War, one of whom was killed on 1st July, 1916 at the Somme. Another nephew of mine has visited the battlefield areas of the Somme. When he did so, he visited the town of Auchonville, where apparently there was a large house with a cellar which was used to billet troops during World War 1. This cellar has remained untouched since then. My nephew said he saw the name 'F HARPER' scratched into the ceiling of this cellar. It is, he believes, an area where the Inniskilling Fusiliers were billeted. I'd love to go to see it!

I'd also love to know the names of some of the other guys in the photo - what happened to them? How many of them survived? What were their names? Where did they hail from?

There are so many questions that I now wish I had asked my father when he was alive.

Des Harper

Your responses:

Clive Johnston - July '08
My great uncle JOHN SHORT HASLETT was in1897 in Clooney Terrace, Londonderry. He joined 10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, trained at Finner Camp and was killed on 1st July 1916 at the Somme.I have amassed lots of info about his older brother JAMES HOLMES HAZLETT who was killed in Gallipoli in 1915 but have drawn a complete blank on John. I'd be delighted to hear from anyone who has any info.

Des Harper - July '08
I have just been told by Gardiner Mitchell that his book, 'Three Cheers for the Derrys', is being re-published this coming November, with 12,000 extra words and double the number of photographs (digitally enhanced). I don't know who the publisher is, or where it will be able to be obtained?

Christopher Burt - July '08
We are trying to find more info on Captain Ernest Ingram. He was a Sergeant in the Inniskillings(possibly 9th Battn., Tyrone) , later becoming a 2nd. Leiutenant and Captain in the Royal Engineers. He lived in Derry Road, Strabane. I know his 'theatre of war' states France on his Medal Roll.

Philip Daff - July '08
You refer to the name 'F HARPER' being scratched into a wall in a cellar in a large building in Auchonvillers. This would probably be in the cellar of Avril Williams' Tea-rooms and guest house in Auchonvillers. This was a first aid post for the British at this time. I have been there numerous times and although I can't recall specific inscriptions there are hundreds still clearly visible. His inscription may be one of these.
If you are ever in the area then it is a must see point of interest and a great place to stay as a base for any visit to the Somme.

Des Harper - June '08
A chap who has lots of info on 10th Battalion, Inniskillings, 'D' company is Robert Thompson, 9 Riverside Road, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, BT57 8TP -I think he also has photos. Gardiner Mitchell's book, 'Three Cheers for the Derrys', is I think now difficult to obtain. I believe he is working on a revised version, containing a lot more on 'C' and 'D' companies of the Inniskillings. An excellent book to read is "The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the World War", by Sir Frank Fox.

S Campbell - May '08
Searching for photo of 10th Inniskilling Fusiliers D Company. I have seen the one of the officers but I am told there is another of the company showing names belonging to the great nephew of Norman Stronge. My grandfather William McLaughlin was in D company.

Would also love to know where I can purchase a copy of " Three Cheers for the Derry's "? I have searched the web to no avail.

Thank you

Jose Shackleton - Feb '08
My Grandfather served in the 10th Battalion. He was Pte 23902 John Espey. I think though he was in 'D' Company because he enlisted in 1915, aged 16 and 'D' company was the last to be formed and he was from Cookstown. He was sent out to France on 1/1/1916 and I think he was there until near the end. He was wounded in action though when and where, I don't know, but he survived. He never talked about the war and we know so very little. When the 10th Battalion was disbanded, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Did this happen to your Grandfather?

Janet Orr - Jan '07
We are trying to trace a relative of mr husband. We have found H Leacock but aren't sure of his home address.
TheCWGC website gives me the name and regiment as THe Royal Irish Rifles. 10th Bn died 1 7 1916.and buried at Mill Road cemetery Thiepval. Has anybody any ideas how I can get confirmation of his home adress. Thanks

Des Harper - Jan '07
I have now been able to establish via Gardiner Mitchell, author of a book on the 10th Battalion called 'Up the Derrys', that the officer in this picture is Glover Austin of Londonderry, and the sergeant is Sgt O'Brien. Glover Austin was machine gun officer for the Battalion (or the Company?), and O'Brien was armourer for the Battalion, having returned from Canada to enlist. Does anyone have any ideas of the identity of others?

Gareth - April '06
My Granfather served in the 10th Battaltion and was a sergeant when he was killed at the battle of Messines on June 7th 1917.

If your Granfather's surname was Mooney then there are quite a few Mooney's listed at the website below

www.cwgc.org/

Des - November '05
For more info on WW1 and Inniskillings .. suggest you visit The Long Long Trail and then navigate to The Great War Forum. A treasure trove of information. There is also a book about the 10th Bn. called 'Three Cheers for the Derrys' ... very good it is too.

Elizabeth Peck nee King - November '05
My grandfather was in the 10th Inniskillings. He was killed on the 11th August 1917 and his name is on the Menin Gate, Panel 22. His name was William CAMPBELL 21192. He is also mentioned in the book "Three Cheers for The Derrys!"on page 104. He was wounded on the 1st July 1916 on the attack from Thiepval Wood Somme. When his wounds were healed he continued with the Derrys until he was killed in the attack on Messines ridge. He has no known grave but I pray one day he will be found.

Linda Mooney - Nov 05
My grandfather was in the Inniskillings. He died before the Somme in April1916. I feel that those who died before the Somme have been forgotten and, to a large extent, ignored. He has no known grave which makes his loss all the more difficult as there is no grave to visit. I'd like to know more. e.g. what was the training like? where did he train (he was from Belfast)?, what would have happened to his body? Can anyone help? I know his name is on the Menin Gate.