1st Battalion. 87th Brigade, 29th Division: Attack at Beaumont-Hamel (1/7) – advancing on right of Brigade and south of the Y Ravine – soon cut down by machine gun fire from the front and both flanks. Those men that did get forward would be held up at uncut wire and the small parties that cleared this soon killed or taken prisoner. Withdrew to British line. Casualties (including Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel R.C. Pierce who was killed) – 549. Remained in forward area – resting around Acheux and Mailly-Maillet. To Bus-lès-Artois (24/7), Amplier (25/7). Entrained at Doullens for the Ypres sector (27/7). Arrived Longueau and marched to Cardonnette (7/10). To Buire-sur-Ancre (10/10), Fricourt (13/10), Montauban (19/10). From there to front line Gueudecourt sector. To Fricourt (29/10). Entrained at Albert for Airaines (3/11). To Citadel Camp (14/11), Carnoy (15/11). Later began tours in front line Lesbœufs sector.
2nd Battalion. 96th Brigade, 32nd Division: In brigade reserve at beginning of 32nd Division’s assault on Thiepval (1/7). Leading waves of 96th Brigade’s attack (16th Northumberland Fusiliers and 15th Lancashire Fusiliers) had been cut down almost immediately after leaving their trenches. At 8.55 a.m. 1 company of the Inniskilling sent forward – later more of the Battalion went on, but all were to suffer the same fate as the leading units. Withdrawn to start lines. To Aveluy Wood (3/7), Warloy (4/7), front line Ovillers (9/7). Attacked west of village 9 a.m. – attached to 14th Brigade, objectives taken and held against strong counter attacks. Advanced during night (10/7) – after hand-to-hand fighting gained more ground. Another attack (13/7) – Regimental historian Sir Frank Fox recording that 2 companies co-operating with 17th Highland Light Infantry gained their objectives but later, and low in numbers, would be forced to retire. To Bouzincourt (14/7). Casualties during Ovillers operations – 267. Via Senlis, Halloy and Bouquemaison to Béthune sector (19/7). Returned to Somme area during third week of October – reaching Vadencourt Wood (21/10). To Bouzincourt (23/10), Warloy (26/10), Hérissart (31/10), Warloy (13/11), support positions Thiepval sector (14/11), Mailly-Maillet (17/11).
7th (Service) Battalion. 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division: Arrived Longueau from Loos area (29/8) and from there marched to Vaux-sur-Somme. To Happy Valley (31/8), Citadel Camp (3/9). From there to Arrow Head Copse. To Guillemont-Leuze Wood Road (5/9) and there linked up with 5th Division at northern end of wood. Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel H.N. Young wounded by sniper (6/9) – enemy attack during night beaten off. To support at Bernafay Wood (7/9). Ordered forward to Guillemont in support of 47th Brigade’s attack on Ginchy (8/9). Moved on for attack (9/9) – suffering heavily on the way up from machine gun fire and shrapnel assault could not be carried out. Formed with 47th Brigade a defensive flank which was held against counter attacks. Relieved early morning (10/9). Casualties – 189. Regimental historian Sir Frank Fox recalls a grim but humorous remark during the move forward to Ginchy – ‘everyone will receive a cross, whether wooden or military depends on your luck.’ To Sailly-le-Sec (11/9), Bailleul near Abbeville (18/9). Entrained for Ypres sector (21/9).
8th (Service) Battalion. 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division: Arrived Longueau from Loos area (29/8) and from there marched to Vaux-sur-Somme. To Happy Valley (31/8), Citadel Camp (3/9) and from there Arrow Head Copse. To front line Leuze Wood (5/9). Came under heavy bombardment and suffered high casualties while digging forward trench (6/9). To Bernafay Wood (7/9). Held support positions during attack on Ginchy (8/9). Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Dalziel Walton killed by a sniper (9/9). Moved forward in afternoon to support 47th Brigade’s attack – later formed defensive flank with 7th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Relieved early morning (10/9). To Sailly-le-Sec (11/9), Bailleul near Abbeville (18/9). Entrained for Ypres sector (21/9).
9th (Service) Battalion (Co. Tyrone). 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division: Assembled in Thiepval Wood for attack (1/7) – on right of Brigade’s assault moved forward before zero hour into No Man’s Land – leading waves advanced under machine gun fire from Thiepval – first objective taken. Moving on to second German line – attacked from rear by machine guns brought up from deep dug-outs. Enemy began counter attacks – low in numbers, without water and little ammunition, order given to withdraw to Crucifix. Later moved back to former German first line and by evening back in British line opposite. Casualties – 477. Victoria Cross awarded posthumously to Temp. Captain. Eric Bell who while attached to 109th Trench Mortar Battery went into the open and accounted for a number of the enemy with bomb and rifle. This officer, aged just 20, was never found and his name can now be seen on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. 36th Division relieved by 49th (2/7) – 109th Brigade moving back through Thiepval Wood to area around Martinsart and Hédauville. Transferred to Ypres sector (11/7).
10th (service) Battalion (Derry). 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division: Assembled in Thiepval Wood for attack (1/7) – advanced 7.30 a.m. – ‘A’ Company swept by machine gun fire from Thiepval upon leaving trenches – others sustained heavy casualties while crossing No Man’s Land. Casualties estimated at almost 600. Withdrew to Thiepval Wood. To Martinsart Wood (2/7), Hédauville (3/7). Transferred to Ypres sector (11/7).
11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh). 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division: Moved forward from Thiepval Wood in support of attack (1/7) – high casualties from machine gun fire upon leaving wood and during attempt to cross No Man’s Land. Withdrew during night. To Martinsart Wood (2/7), Hédauville (3/7). Transferred to Ypres sector (11/7).