Private William Lipsett
William Lipsett was born on 7 May 1895 at Derrinloughan, Ballyshannon, County Leitrim, the fifth of nine children of farmer James Alexander Lipsett and his wife Elizabeth (nee Crawford). By 1911 he was living at Derrinloughan and working on the family farm.
Lipsett enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 20 October and 12 December 1913 (No.879). He embarked for France on 20 August 1914 with C Squadron, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
In June 1916, C Squadron joined with F 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 most of its men were transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Like most of the men, Lipsett was transferred on 20 September. He was issued a new regimental number – 41324.
Lipsett was wounded during the Battle of Cambrai in November or December 1917. Following his recovery he rejoined his unit, but was wounded twice more during 1918.
After the war Lipsett served with the Ulster Special Constabulary Class B from 1920 and with Class A from 27 February 1922 in 1 Platoon, Killkeel, County Down. On 10 January 1923 he married Rachel May Bingham at Kilkeel. He joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary on 1 August 1922, serving in Londonderry. He was later awarded a Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Following his retirement from the RUC, Lipsett moved with his family to England. He died at Bournemouth on 7 November 1983.
Photograph of Private Lipsett on his horse Gilford in 1914 kindly provided by Dianne Prior. Images of Lipsett's medals and pre-war cap badge kindly provided by Jon Marshall.