Private Robert Matthew Law

 

Robert Matthew Law was born on 15 July 1892 at Carn near Ederney, County Fermanagh, the fifth of nine children of farmer Robert Law and his wife Elizabeth (née Knox). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Carn with his parents, seven siblings, and two aunts, and working on the family farm.

Law enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron on 2 October 1914 – the day recruiting opened for the squadron. He was issued regimental number UD/13. He embarked for France with his squadron on 6 October 1915. At the time they were serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 Law's squadron came together with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was dismounted and most of the men were transferred to the infantry. After training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, the men, including Law, were formally transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 20 September and soon after were posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – re-named the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Law was issued regimental number 41082 and posted to A Company.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.

Law was wounded, in the left elbow, during the 9th (NIH) Battalion's fighting withdrawal from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918 during the German spring offensive. Evacuated to the UK, following his recovery he was transferred (on 26 August 1918) to the 28th (Home Service) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (No.109513). On 4 April 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

Law emigrated to Canada in September 1920. On 30 January 1926 he married Marion Stevens in York, Ontario. He died in Toronto in 1969 and was buried in the Park Lawn Cemetery.

 

 

Image sourced from the Find a Grave website.

 

This page last updated 11 January 2023.