Bird, Major C.R.
Spedding, and a dozen others were mentioned by Lord French, and a
D.S.O., a Military Cross, several D.C.M.'s, a Medaille Militaire, and
a special promotion resulted, this being the beginning of many
subsequent rewards.

In the Ypres--Armentieres phase of the campaign, when the British Army
skilfully withdrew to the north of the line, the 7th Brigade repulsed
heavy assaults, and both battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles added to
their lists of distinguished names. The victory at Neuve Chapelle
further increased the record of the regiment, whose men charged the
enemy in splendid fashion. Lieutenant-Colonel Laurie was killed, and
his adjutant, Captain Wright, fell by his side, while Major Alston was
also killed. All three were mentioned in despatches, as well as a
score of others. At Hooge the Royal Irish Rifles tried to force their
way into the enemy's lines through uncut entanglement in the face of
machine-gun fire, and their conduct all through the Loos operations
was evidence of the high character of the regiment.

In the operations under Sir Douglas Haig in the early part of 1916
trench warfare, with its brilliant raids, two battalions were named
for distinguished conduct, and the numbers as well as the names of the
battalions were published in the list issued to the Press.

When the great advance began on July 1st, the Ulster Division attacked
the strongest position in the line, and suffered heavily. An officer,
describing this glorious attack, wrote:--"I am not an Ulsterman, but
as I followed the amazing attack of the Ulster Division on July 1st, I
felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the
world." With shouts of "Remember the Boyne" and "No surrender, boys,"
they threw themselves at the Germans, and before they could be
restrained had penetrated to the enemy's fifth line. The Royal Irish
Rifles went through hell that day, and sought out the machine gunners
at the bayonet's point. There has been nothing finer in the war than
this charge.

What the regiment did at Guillemont and Ginchy is the talk of the
moment, for, with the other Irish battalions, they accounted for all
who came in their front--Guards, Line, and guns. Perhaps the two
latest awards are among the best. The Victoria Cross was won by
Privates Robert Quigg and William McFadzean. The former went out seven
times in the heaviest fire for wounded men. The latter gave his life
for his comrades by throwing himsel