Private Alexander Lamont
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that he was from Belfast.
Alexander Lamont enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 20 January 1915 (No.1412). On 17 November 1915 he embarked for France with F Squadron, which at the time was serving as divisional cavalry to the 33rd Division.
In June 1916 F Squadron combined with C Squadron and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and its men transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Lamont, were transferred on 20 September and were posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Lamont was issued regimental number 41239 and posted to D Company.
He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.
Lamont was one of the many posted as missing following the 9th (NIH) Battalion's fighting withdrawal from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918 during the German spring offensive. It was later learned that he had been wounded, but he was able to rejoin the battalion later that year. He was wounded again during the Advance to Victory offensive from August to November 1918.
On 5 June 1919 Lamont was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.