Private Joseph McLaughlin

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present.

Joseph McLaughlin (or McLoughlin) enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 4 or 5 January 1915 (No.1377). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France on 17 November 1915 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 were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including McLaughlin, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. McLaughlin was issued regimental number 41405.

No information has been located about McLaughlin's service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918. On 22 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.