Thomas R I Lt 1st Connaught Rangers

LIEUTENANT R. 1. THOMAS

IST BATTALION THE CONNAUGHT RANGERS

RHYS IVOR THOMAS was the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel George Tucker Thomas, I.M.S., and of Sarah Mary his wife.

He entered the School in 1904, left in 1907, passed into the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1908, obtained his first Commission in 1909, and was promoted Lieutenant in October, 1913. He joined the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers at Ferozepore, Punjab, where he served three years and passed the Signalling School and the Lower Standard Examination in Hindustani. He came home on sick leave, and on recovery was attached to the 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers in August, 1914.

He was killed on September 14th, 1914, in his 24th year, in the Battle of the Aisne, at Cour de Soupir, near Soissons, under the following circumstances:-

“On September 14th the Connaught Rangers held the farm of Cour de Soupir against a very large force of Germans. Rifle and shrapnel fire became severe at noon, and on the order to reinforce, Lieut. Thomas, who was leading his Platoon on a flank, got up on the fire-swept ground and coolly waved to his Platoon to follow him. He was hardly up before he was mortally wounded by rifle-bullets.”

He was mentioned in Despatches of October 8th, 1914, and was awarded the Military Cross, for “general gallantry in the Campaign,” on January 1st, 1915, when this Decoration was first instituted.

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1

Abbott G D Lt Connaught Rangers

Source : The Sphere

LIEUTENANT GEOFFREY DYETT ABBOTT, 1st BATTN. CONNAUGHT RANGERS.

who was born on the 12th October, 1801, at Srinagar, Kashmir, was the son of the late Colonel Frank Abbott, late 37th Lancers (Baluch Horse), and a grandson of the late Lieutenant- General H. D. Abbott, C.B., and of Major-General J. C. Berkeley, C.I.E. He was educated at Cheltenham College and the R.M.C., Sandhurst. Having been gazetted to the Connaught Rangers in March. 1911, he served with the 1st Battalion in India, and was promoted Lieutenant in June, 1014. He was a good shot, and played football, cricket, billiards, and tennis.

Lieut. Abbott was killed in action at Laventie, France, on the 2nd November, 1914. His Company Commander sent the following account of the circumstances –

On the 2nd instant (November, 1914) we went to relieve the 2nd Gurkhas and came under rather heavy fire crossing an open place. It was in the above open place he was killed.”

Source : The Bond Of Sacrifice Vol 1

Lt G de M Armstrong-Lushington-Tulloch Connaught Rangers

LIEUTENANT G. DE M. ARMSTRONG-LUSHINGTON-TULLOCH

1st BATTALION THE CONNAUGHT RANGERS

GRAHAM DE MONTMORENCY ARMSTRONG-LUSHINGTON-TULLOCH was the eldest son of William Cairns Armstrong-Lushington-Tulloch, of Shambolard, Moyard, County Galway. He entered the School in 1899, and passed on to the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1903. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1905, and in the following year passed a course of Instruction in Signalling with a Special Certificate which entitled him to act as Brigade Signalling Officer. He held a Certificate for Musketry, and won several shooting competitions in his Regiment. He served with his Regiment for a year in Malta, and for six or seven years in India. He qualified for his Captaincy in 1911, but was not gazetted Captain until after his death, which took place under the following circumstances :— At Neuve Chapelle the Rangers were forced, by enfilade fire to retire from their advanced trench which was then occupied by the Germans. At night the order was given to retake the trench and fill it in. This was done, and Lieut. Tulloch was wounded in the head. He refused to retire, saying, “No, the position must be held,” and continued to lead and encourage his men, until he was shot through the forehead and died instantly, on November 5th, 1914. Age 28.

His former Colonel wrote:-

“He died the death of a most gallant Officer, and kept up the best traditions of the Regiment and of a true Irish gentleman. His brother Officers, while deeply deploring his loss, admire his pluck and gallant leadership.”

Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1