Welcome...
...to The Irish Brigade website, a resource devoted to the history of 38 (Irish) Brigade, a Second World War formation of the British Army, that, when it was formed, largely comprised soldiers from Ireland or those of Irish origin, and which gained an unrivalled reputation during Allied campaigns in Tunisia, Sicily and mainland Italy.
This site aims to preserve the memory of the Irish Brigade and to build bonds of friendship among the people of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Tunisia and Italy.
It has been created by Edmund (Gerard) O'Sullivan and Richard O'Sullivan in memory of their father Edmund, who served with the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles from 1939 to 1946, and their mother Patricia (nee Webb) who served with the ATS from 1942 to 1946.
Click here to read Edmund O'Sullivan's story.
We shall continue to provide information and detail of our continuing research into the history of the Irish Brigade during the Second World War, including feedback from veterans and families of the men who served with the brigade.
Click here to read all the latest news and updated stories.
From November 2012 onwards, we shall start to commemorate the 70th anniversary dates of the progress of the Irish Brigade from their initial arrival in Algiers on 22nd November 1942, by adding a detailed month by month guide to their journey through Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, until their entry into Austria during May 1945.
Click here to start following the monthly updates.
Click also on the following links:
- To view details of more than 1,000 men who died, while serving with the brigade.
- To read the account of the brigade's actions in Tunisia during 1942/43 and here for contemporary accounts of the brigade's actions in Sicily during August 1943, both written by Brigadier Nelson Russell.
- Click here for an account of the brigade's actions in Italy and Austria from March 1944 to March 1945 and here for details of the brigade's actions in Northern Italy and Austria from March to July 1945, both written by Brigadier TPD Scott.
- Click here to read 38 (Irish) Brigade's war diaries, a day by day account of their campaigns in Tunisia and Italy from November 1942 to May 1945.
- Click here for the war diary accounts of 2 London Irish Rifles from November 1942 to May 1945, here for those of 6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from November 1942 to August 1944, here for those of 2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from July 1944 to May 1945, and here for those of 1 Royal Irish Fusiliers from November 1942 to May 1945.
- To view the transcribed citations for honours and awards won by men of 38 (Irish) Brigade.
- To read the official histories of the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles during the Second World War.
- To view a detailed battlefield walking guide to the Bou Arada area where the Irish Brigade fought its first major actions during January and February 1943. And here to view a detailed battlefield walking guide to the Liri Valley for the period 14 - 17 May 1944.
- Click here for a comprehensive visit report from the Liri Valley. For a guide to the Irish Brigade's assault on San Fantucchio and Pucciarelli on 21-25 June 1944, click here.
- To read a detailed narrative of the 78th (Battleaxe) Division's part in the final offensive in Northern Italy during April 1945.
- To view war-time photographs from the album of RSM George Charnick of the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles, one of the most decorated members of the Irish Brigade.
- To read the personal family stories of some of the men who served with the Irish Brigade.
To access all the information on the Irish Brigade website, please click on the tabs on the left hand side of the screen. This is a living project that aims to collect in one place as much information as possible about the Irish Brigade during the Second World War, and the thousands of men who served with it. We welcome your comments and suggestions to improve the content included within this website, and you can sign our guest book here.
Whilst the fullest tribute is given here to the men of the three rifle battalions, we should not forget the fine service support provided to the Irish Brigade by men of 56th Recce, 17th Field Regiment, the Kensington Regiment, 214 Field Squadron of the Royal Engineers, numerous armoured regiments as well as the RAF, RAMC, Royal Signals, RASC, REME, and RAOC.
With the greatest respect and utmost humility, we salute them all.
Faugh a Ballagh!
Irish Brigade pipes and drums in front of St Peter's Basilica in July 1944.
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Faugh a Ballagh! Nec Aspera Terrent Quis Separabit
The Irish Brigade website is a private, non-profit initiative dedicated to the memory of Edmund O'Sullivan, Colour Sergeant in E Company of the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles during its campaigns with the brigade from November 1942 until May 1945.