Private John McMaster

 

The background of this man is not known at present, other than that he was from Newtownstewart, County Tyrone.

John McMaster enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron on 23 November 1914 (No. UD/190). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined 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 August-September 1917 when the regiment was disbanded and most of its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. McMaster was one of 70 men given the job of conducting the regiment's horses to Egypt, to be handed over for use by mounted units there. They embarked from Marseilles on board HMT Bohemian on 25 August. After a month at Alexandria they returned to France, via Italy. On 5 October 1917 they arrived at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur for infantry training, and after just a few days were posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – which had been renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt on 12 October. McMaster was issued regimental number 41608.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917. The following year he was wounded, possibly during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.

On 18 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

 

This page last updated 20 June 2023.