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The Kingdom of Bulgaria was one of the Central Powers (or Quadruple Alliance) during the First World War when it declared war on the Kingdom of Serbia on 14 October 1915.
The Armistice of Salonica, between Bulgaria and the Allied Powers, was signed in Thessaloniki, Greece on 29 September 1918 following a request by the Bulgarian government on 24 September for a ceasefire. The armistice effectively ended Bulgaria's participation in the First World War. The armistice regulated the demobilization and disarmament of the Bulgarian armed forces and came into effect at noon on 30 October 1918.
Following the evacuation of Gallipoli, the 10th (Irish) Division was sent to the Balkans and landed in Salonika, Greece on 5 October 1915. The Irish Division included battalions from The Royal Irish Regiment, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, The Royal Irish Rifles, The Royal Irish Fusiliers, The Connaught Rangers, The Leinster Regiment, The Royal Munster Fusiliers and The Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Having been driven off by a bayonet charge the night before, the Bulgarians again crept up the slopes of Rocky Peak in the thick mist on the morning of 7 December. When they charged, a savage bayonet fight ensued. Although the 5th Faughs had reinforced Rocky Peak with a half company the night before, the enemy numbers were now too great and the defenders were slowly driven from the hill.
A formal farewell was performed at Bisley for the No 4 Lee Enfield Rifle. The rifle was first issued in 1939 and was in common use by 1941. The Self Loading Rifle 7.62mm (SLR) replaced the Number 4 Rifle.
This Second World War Theatre Honour is emblazoned on the King's Colour of The Royal Irish Regiment and, with The Battle Honour YENANGYAUN, was awarded to The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers for actions by the 1st Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Burma (Myanmar).
The Theatre Honour BURMA 1942-43 recognises the actions of the Inniskillings throughout the period 1942-43, including the Arakan Campaign in 1943.
This whistle was made from two brass buttons from a tunic worn by soldiers of the 86th Foot, later the 2nd Battalion The Royal Irish Rifles.
The cap badge of a regiment is its most basic identifying emblem and much emotion is vested in such badges by members of regiments. The cap badge of The Royal Irish Regiment traces a direct lineage back through The Ulster Defence Regiment to The Royal Ulster Rifles, although the harp and crown in various different shapes is emblematic of a significant number of Irish regiments.
The besieging Spanish force at Pamplona was commanded by Captain General Enrique José O'Donnell (b. 1769, d. 1834), a Spanish general descended from the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell. The ‘Flight of the Wild Geese’ was the departure in December 1691 of the Irish Jacobite army commanded by General Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan, from Ireland to France. This had been agreed in the Treaty of Limerick on 3 October 1691.
A delightful miniature portrait of Captain John Millar of 27th Inniskillings who was wounded at Waterloo.
Included in the frame with his portrait are his Waterloo medal and cross-belt plate, which clearly identify his Regiment.
A decorated sword presented to Captain Thomas Charlton Smith by the British subjects of Cape Colony, South Africa, for his indomitable courage in defending Port Natal (Durban), known as the Kongela (Congella) Incident, with a small detachment of 27th Inniskillings against superior numbers of Dutch Boer settlers 24 May – 20 June 1842. Presented when he had been promoted to Major, the inscription reads:
