Joseph Larkin

Killed in Action on the 14/03/1915 at the action of St. Eloi

The 2nd Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 19/12/1914 and were part of the 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. Joseph arrived in France on the 01/02/1915. Joseph came to Coatbridge from Ireland as a teenager and enlisted in the Royal Irish Fusiliers at the outbreak of war. He was reported missing and died on or since the 14/03/1915. This was just 41 days after his arrival on the 01/02/1915. Joseph was 1 of 38 of his Battalion killed when the Germans attacked south of Ypres on the opening day of the Action of St. Eloi, 14th - 15th March 1915 in which the 27th Division where the only Division involved : On the 14/03/1915, the Germans attacked St. Eloi after springing two mines and captured the village, trenches nearby and the Mound, a spoil heap about 30 ft (9.1 m) high and 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) in area, on the west side of a rise, south of the village. The 80th Brigade of the 27th Division had fought hand-to-hand with the attackers but could not counterattack, because of a lack of close reserves and German artillery barrages isolating the attack front. Just after midnight, two Battalions managed to counterattack and retook the village and the lost trenches. The Mound was not regained as the Germans had managed to consolidate and retained the advantage of observation from it. This was subsequent to the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 10th - 13th March 1915. SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM THE 1st - 14th MARCH 1915. SEE APPENDICES x 5 FOR LIST OF OFFICERS AND OTHER RANKS CASUALTIES IN MARCH 1915 AND MAPS. Joseph is listed as HENRY and 4th BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. He is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour and the St. Patrick's Roll of Honour (book) (see photos). See photos for Joseph's Medal Index Card, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his listing on the Ireland Casualties WW1, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge, Joseph's Service Records x 7 and photos x 12 for the 27th Division Order of Battle (the Division he was with when he died).