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Shoeing Smith Robert Burns

 

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

Robert Burns enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 13 and 15 November 1915 (No.1874 – later Corps of Hussars No.71608). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France sometime between 1916 and 1918, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.

This regiment, established in May 1916, served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers, and it is probable that this was the time that Burns was transferred to the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars.

Burns remained with the Hussars until the end of the war. On 28 April 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.