| Name |
John FITZGERALD |
| Birth |
28 Mar 1895 |
7 Brocklesby St., (Between Gt William O'Brien St & Commons Rd), Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Census |
31 Mar 1901 |
10 Brocklesby St., (Between Gt William O'Brien St & Commons Rd), Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland |
| Census |
2 Apr 1911 |
4 Broad Lane, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland |
| MILI |
John Fitzgerald in the UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
Name: John Fitzgerald
Gender: Male
Rank: Pte
Record Type: Disability
Birth Date: 1896
Residence Place: Cork
Military Service Region: Ireland, Ireland
Military Country: Ireland
Discharge Date: 18 Jul 1920
Service Number: 10079
Corps, Regiment or Unit: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Service Branch: Military (Army)
Title: WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers
Description: Pension Record Ledger
Reference Number: 13/MF/2026
Next of Kin:
Name Relation to Soldier
John Fitzgerald
Record Details for J Fitzgerald (Royal Munster Fusiliers)
First Name: J
Surname: Fitzgerald
Report Date: 17/09/1914
Information: Listed as "Missing" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office.
Rank: Private
Service Number: 10079
Service: British Army
Primary Unit: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Archive Reference: DT21101914
Record Details for J Fitzgerald (Royal Munster Fusiliers)
First Name: J
Surname: Fitzgerald
Information: Listed as "Previously reported missing, now reported prisoner of war" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office.
Rank: Private
Service Number: 10079
Service: British Army
Primary Unit: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Archive Reference: DT03051915
Record Details for J Fitzgerald (Royal Munster Fusiliers)
First Name: J
Surname: Fitzgerald
Incident Details: War Office Daily List No.5802
Report Date: 19/02/1919
Rank: Private
Service Number: 10079
Casualty Listed As: Released Prisoner of War from Germany, arrived in England
Next Of Kin Address: Cork
Service: British Army
Primary Unit: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Archive Reference: NLS 1919_WList82
The Regiment can trace its history back to 1652 when it was first formed as part of a private army for the East India Company. This British Company was formed in December 1600 in an effort to break the Dutch spice trade monopoly. The Company quickly realized that it needed to secure and protect its trading posts at Surat, Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. Therefore within two centuries The Company had bought land from the Indian rulers, built settlements, raised its own army and navy, built its own ships and effectively ruled India, thus raising the curtain for Britain's Indian Empire. The Regiment was initially involved in guarding factories along the Hugli River in Bengal. The Regiments Officers were recruited and trained in Britain and commanded a mainly native force.
The ruling Mughal Empire in India was near collapse by the mid-18th century and The East India Company found itself fighting for supremacy against the French and becoming increasingly involved in local power politics. In December 1756 separate companies and detachments were amalgamated into one battalion; The Bengal European Battalion and was involved in the Battle of Plassey, and also helped to defend Fort William against Prince Suraja Dowlah, where many of the officers and men perished in the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta. In 1758 the Regiment also fought against the French at the Battle of Condore and then in 1759 against the Dutch.
Once The Company had consolidated its position, it focused on the collecting territorial taxes in northeast India and confirmed British military supremacy in the region making The Company the ruling power in Bengal, India's richest province. The British government was happy to let the Company rule as long as wealth continued to flow back to London.
The Bengal European Battalion was renamed The Bengal European Light Infantry in 1838 after its distinguished gallantry in the storming of Ghuznee in the first Afghan War. In 1839 a 2nd Battalion was formed as the 2nd Bengal European Regiment. The title Fusiliers was added to the 1st Battalion in 1846 for its gallant conduct in the Sutlej Campaign. The 2nd Battalion also became a Fusilier Corps after the second Sikh War and the Regimental facings were changed from white to dark blue.
However, the Indian population became increasingly discontented with The Company's interference in local affairs and politics, which eventually lead to the first Indian Rebellion in 1857. The Regiment was involved in various battles and the eventual suppression of the Rebellion. However this spelt the end of The Company's rule in India as the British government felt it had mismanaged the situation. The Company was formally dissolved in Aug 1858 and the Crown took over control of the administration and its armies in India. The two battalions were incorporated into the British Army as the 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers and 104th Bengal Fusiliers. In 1861 the battalions became the 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) and 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers).
In 1881 the Childers Reforms restructured the British army infantry Regiments into a network of multi-battalion Regiments each having two regular and two militia battalions. The 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) and 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers) were amalgamated with the Militia of Munster and became The Royal Munster Fusiliers, one of only five of the infantry battalions given Irish titles. The Regiment was disbanded in June 1922 following cuts in the British army and the establishment of the new Irish Free State.
Royal Munster Fusiliers during WW1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned 'German Emperor and King of Prussia' and moved from a policy of maintaining the status quo to a more aggressive position. He did not renew a treaty with Russia, aligned Germany with the declining Austro-Hungarian Empire and started to build a Navy rivalling that of Britain. These actions greatly concerned Germany's neighbours, who quickly forged new treaties and alliances in the event of war. On 28th June 1914 Franz Ferdinand the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by the Bosnian-Serb nationalist group Young Bosnia who wanted pan-Serbian independence. Franz Joseph's the Austro-Hungarian Emperor (with the backing of Germany) responded aggressively, presenting Serbia with an intentionally unacceptable ultimatum, to provoke Serbia into war. Serbia agreed to 8 of the 10 terms and on the 28th July 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, producing a cascade effect across Europe. Russia bound by treaty to Serbia declared war with Austro-Hungary, Germany declared war with Russia and France declared war with Germany. Germany's army crossed into neutral Belgium in order to reach Paris, forcing Britain to declare war with Germany (due to the Treaty of London (1839) whereby Britain agreed to defend Belgium in the event of invasion). By the 4th August 1914 Britain and much of Europe were pulled into a war which would last 1,566 days, cost 8,528,831 lives and 28,938,073 casualties or missing on both sides.
The Regiment raised 10 Battalions and was awarded 51 Battle Honours and 3 Victoria Crosses during the course of the war. The Regiment was engaged in battle 13 times at full strength and reduced to less than 6 officers and 300 men 10 of those times. 3,070 men of the Regiment died during the 1,566 days of action.
1st Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed in Rangoon, Burma at the outbreak of war. Embarked for the U.K. in Dec.
10.01.1915 Arrived at Avonmouth, Bristol and then moved to Coventry and joined the 86th Brigade of the 29th Division.
16.031915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Alexandria via Mudros from Avonmouth.
24.04.1915 Landed at Helles and were engaged in actions at the Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
30.04.1915 Due to the extensive Allied casualties the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers and the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers were amalgamated for 20 days to be known as the 'Dubsters' Battalion.
Jan 1916 Evacuated to Egypt due to the severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather.
16.03.1916 Embarked at Port Said for Marseilles arriving 22.03.1916
25.04.1916 Initially involved in defending the Lines of Communication.
28.05.1916 Transferred to the 48th Brigade of the 16th Division where they were engaged in actions on the Western Front including, the capture of Ginchy but were reduced to 5 officers and 305 men.
30.05.1916 Absorbed 3 officers and 146 men from the disbanded 9th battalion.
22.11.1916 Absorbed 21 officers and 446 men from the disbanded 8th Battalion and transferred to the 47th Brigade of the 16th Division and continued to engage in action on the Western Front;
During 1917
The Battle of Messines, The first Battle of Cambrai, Third Battles of Ypres.
19.04.1918 Absorbed surplus men of the 2nd Battalion and reduced to cadre.
20.04.1918 Transferred to 172nd Brigade of the 57th Division and continued to engage in various action on the Western Front including;
During 1918
The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Cambrai, the Division assisted in the capture of Cambrai and the occupation of Lille.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in France at Lille.
2nd Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed at Aldershot at the outbreak of war as part of the 1st (Guards) Brigade of the 1st Division.
14.08.1914 Mobilised for war and landed in Havre as part of the BEF and were engaged in various action on the Western Front notably fighting the rearguard action at Etreux. The battalion was reduced to 5 officers and 196 men in this action.
14.09.1914 Transferred to Army Troops.
09.11.1914 Transferred to the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division and engaged in the Ypres Salient offensive and the Festubert battle.
During 1915
Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Loos.
30.05.1916 Absorbed 7 officers and 140 men of the disbanded 9th Battalion.
During 1916
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval,
During 1917
The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Second Battle of Passchendaele,
03.02.1918 Transferred to 48th Brigade of the 16th Division the Battalion was shattered in German 'Spring Offensive'.
19.04.1918 Reduced to cadre and surplus personnel to the 1st Battalion.
31.05.1918 Transferred to the 94th Brigade of the 31st Division.
06.06.1918 Reconstituted with drafts from the disbanded 6th Battalion.
16.06.1918 Moved to defend the Lines of Communication.
15.07.1918 Transferred to the 150th Brigade of the 50th Division at Martin Eglise and were once again engaged on the Western Front including;
The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of Valenciennes.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in France, Sars Poteries N.E. of Avesnes.
3rd Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed Tralee, County Kerry Ireland moved to Berehaven, Bantry Bay.
Oct 1914 Moved to Cork.
May 1915 Moved to Aghada, Cork Harbour.
Oct 1917 Moved to Ballingcollig, Cork.
Nov 1917 Moved to Devonport, Plymouth England, then absorbed into the 4th and 5th Battalions in May 1918.
4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
04.08.14 Stationed at Kinsale, Ireland then moved to Queenstown and on to Aghada, Cork Harbour.
May 1915 Moved to South Shields then on to Fermoy.
Feb 1916 Moved to Bere Island, then onto Curragh and Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Nov 1917 Moved to Dreghorn, Scotland
April 1918 Moved to Portobello and then onto Plymouth and absorbed by the 3rd Battalion.
5th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
04.08.14 Stationed at Limerick, Ireland then moved to Queenstown.
Oct 1914 Moved to Bere Island, then onto Crosshaven, Cork Harbour.
May 1915 Moved to North Shields and then on to Curragh.
Aug 1917 Moved to Galway and then to Invergordon, Scotland in Nov.
April 1918 Moved to Fort George and then onto Plymouth and absorbed by the 3rd Battalion.
6th and 7th (Service) Battalion
Aug 1914 Formed at Tralee, County Kerry as part of the First New Army (K1), then moved to Curragh and joined the 30th Brigade of the 10th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Basingstoke, England.
09.07.1915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros.
07.08.1915 Landed at Suvla Bay and were involved in the attack on Chocolate Hill, The Battle of Scimitar Hill and attack on Hill 60
02.10.1915 Evacuated to Mudros and then on to Salonika in order to help the Serbs fight against Bulgarian aggression and were involved in various battles including; action at Kosturino, action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi.
03.11.1916 The 6th absorbed the 7th Battalion
Sept 1917 Moved to Egypt and were involved in the Palestine campaign
30.04.1918 Left the 10th Division and moved to Marseilles, France.
05.06.1918 Absorbed by the 2nd Battalion and disbanded.
8th (Service) Battalion
Sep/Oct 1914 Formed at Fermoy as part of the Second New Army (K2), then moved to Mitchelstown, County Cork and joined the 47th Brigade of the 16th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Templemore then back to Fermoy then to Blackdown, Aldershot.
18.12.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre.
30.05.1916 Absorbed 12 Officers and 200 men of the disbanded 9th Battalion, and engaged in various action on the Western Front including; The Battle of Guillemont and The Battle of Ginchy.
23.11.1916 Disbanded in France and the remaining personnel moved to the 1st Battalion.
9th (Service) Battalion
Sep/Oct 1914 Formed at Kilworth as part of the Second New Army (K2), then moved to Ballyvonare and joined the 48th Brigade of the 16th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Ballyhooly and then to Blackdown, Aldershot.
20.12.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre.
30.05.1916 Disbanded in France and the remaining personnel moved to the 8th Battalion.
1st (Garrison) Battalion
01.04.1917 Formed as a Home Service Garrison Battalion in Cork, Ireland from the 1st (Home Service) Garrison Battalion Durham Light Infantry.
Nov 1917 Moved to Prees Heath, Shropshire.
11.11.1917 Joined three Companies and H.Q. and moved to Italy to defend the Lines of Communication.
2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Nov 1917 Formed at Prees Heath, Shropshire from one Company of the 1st Garrison Battalion.
April 1918 Moved to Cosham, Portsmouth were it remained.
Collection:
British Army daily reports - missing, dead, wounded & POWs - WWI
John Fitzgerald in the UK, British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
Name: John Fitzgerald
Military Date: 1914-1920
Military Place: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, United Kingdom
Regiment or Corps: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Regimental Number: 10079
Medal Roll Page
Victory A/103B3 518
British do do
14 Star A/7 24
Action taken - P. of W. (Prisoner of War?)
Theatre of War -
Qualifying Date - 13.8.14
Military Service Pensions Collection
File Reference 3D231
Name John Fitzgerald
Gender male
Address detail
Street 3 Daly's Row, off North Main Street, Cork
County Cork
Country Ireland
Address detail
Street 22 Hanover Street, Cork
County Cork
Country Ireland
Notes Date of birth not recorded on file.
Date of death 1923-12-20
Related files 47760 subjects National Army service number.
Civilian occupation Bootmaker;
Easter rising service No
Organisation âOglaigh na hâEireann/National Forces
Rank Private
National Army Service Number 47760
Pension Claim No
Award Pension No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyW3D231JOHNFITZGERALD.pdf
File dates 29 April 1924 - 31 May 1926
Subject Information
File relates to Mary Fitzgerald's unsuccessful application under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of the death of her husband John Fitzgerald who was killed on 20 December 1923 at Monaghan. Widow claims that her husband was shot by a Military Policeman. The Army Pensions Board found that death was due to serious misconduct on the part of the deceased. Reference made to Fitzgerald as having served in the British Army and served during the First World War. File contains: report from An Garda Sâiochâana detailing Mary Fitzgerald's circumstances and dependency on deceased at the time of his death; material relating to family partly closed.
....Which reference to the attached correspondence to the claims under the Army Pensions Act 1923, by Mrs Fitzgerald, in respect to the death of her husband. I am to inform you that this case was rejected on the 11th ultimate, as the Adjutant General certified that the deceased's death was due to serious misconduct on his own part.
It appears that on the 20th December 1923, on the town of Monaghan, the deceased in the company with other soldiers was behaving in an unruly manner in the streets. They were accosted by a Military Policeman, of whom they took little notice. Later on their return to the Barracks, the deceased when passing in, went to assault this policeman, who drew his revolver, and in the scuffle a shot went off, which caused his death.
5 August 1924
part of record from - FitzgeraldJohn_MilitaryServicePension.pdf Military>Fitzgerald}
http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/detail.aspx?parentpriref= |
| Occupation |
Scholar 1901, Selling Papers 1911, Bootmaker, Soldier 1918, 1920, |
| Residence |
28 Dec 1918 |
4 Cockpit Lane, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland |
- at time of marriage to Mary Corcoran
|
| Residence |
27 May 1920 |
2 Little Cross Street, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland |
- at time of birth of son John
|
| _UID |
73BDD9B094D84F18902EAA6D21013247FC48 |
| Death |
20 Dec 1923 |
Monaghan Barracks, Glaslough Street, Co Monaghan, Ireland |
| Notes |
- Image 1BirthCerts>Fitzgerald downloaded but not assigned a Source No. (B1895FitzgeraldJohnSCFull.pdf)
1901 Census of Ireland
10 Brocklesby Street, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland
Nora Fitzgerald, Head, Roman Catholic, Neither, Age 26, None, Married, born Cork City.
John Fitzgerald, Son, Roman Catholic, Read & Write, Age 6, Scholar, Not Married, born Cork City.
Julia Fitzgerald, Daughter, Roman Catholic, Cannot Read, Age 1, Scholar, Not Married, born Cork City.
Michael Fitzgerald, Son, Roman Catholic, Cannot Read, Age 1 year 9 months, Infant, Not Married, born Cork City.
Image CensusIreland>Fitzgerald dowloaded but not assigned a
Source No. (FitzgeraldNora_1901IreCenSCFull.jpg)
1911 Census of Ireland
4.3 Broad Lane, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland
Norah Fitzgerald, Head, Roman Catholic, Cannot Read, Age 33, , Widow, Years Married - , Children born Alive - 9, Children still Living - 6, born Cork City.
John Fitzgerald, Son, Roman Catholic, Read & Write, Age 16, Selling papers, Single, born Cork City.
Julia Fitzgerald, Daughter, Roman Catholic, Read & Write, Age 14, Scholar, Single, born Cork City.
Michael Fitzgerald, Son, Roman Catholic, Read & Write, Age 12, Scholar, Single, born Cork City.
Mary Fitzgerald, Daughter, Roman Catholic, , Age 6, Scholar, Single, born Cork City.
Nora Fitzgerald, Daughter, Roman Catholic, , Age 4, , Single, born Cork City.
Ellen Fitzgerald, Daughter, Roman Catholic, , Age 3 months, , Single, born Cork City.
Image CensusIreland>Fitzgerald dowloaded but not assigned a
Source No. (FitzgeraldNorah_1911IreCenSCFull.jpg)
|
| Person ID |
I18032 |
falvey08 |
| Last Modified |
15 Apr 2022 |
1895 - 1923 (28 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set