British 36th Ulster Division: Encyclopedia - British 36th Ulster Division

British 36th (Ulster) Division

The British 36th (Ulster) Division was a New Army division formed in September 1914. Originally called the Ulster Division, it was made up of members of the Ulster Volunteer Force who formed 13 additional battalions for three existing Irish regiments; the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The division served on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.

The division's insignia was a red hand.

British 36th Ulster Division - Unit history

British 36th Ulster Division - Formation

• 15th (Service) Battalion (North Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles
• 8th (Service) Battalion (East Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles
• 9th (Service) Battalion (West Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles
• 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles (until February 1918)
• 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from August 1917 until February 1918)
• 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918)
• 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918)

In August 1917 the 8th and 9th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 8/9th Battalion which disbanded in February 1918.

Between November 1915 and February 1916 the brigade swapped with the 12th Brigade from the 4th Division.

• 9th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers
• 12th (Service) Battalion (Central Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles
• 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from November 1917 to 107th Bde. February 1918)
• 11th (Service) Battalion (South Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles
• 13th (Service) Battalion (County Down), the Royal Irish Rifles
• 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from 107th Bde. February 1918)

In August 1917 the 11th and 13th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 11/13th Battalion which disbanded in February 1918.

• 9th (Service) Battalion (County Tyrone), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
• 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded January 1918)
• 11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded February 1918)
• 14th (Service) Battalion (Young Citizens), the Royal Irish Rifles (disbanded February 1918)
• 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918)
• 2nd Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918)

British 36th Ulster Division - Battles

• Battle of Cambrai

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