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Private John Da Costa

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, but he was probably from England.

Da Costa enlisted or was called-up, probably around April 1917. Posted to the 5th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry at Tidworth, he was issued regimental number 34241.

Later that year or in early 1918 Da Costa embarked for France, where he was posted to the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. This regiment served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps from its establishment in May 1916 until February-March 1918, when it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit, serving as corps cyclists to V Corps until the end of the war.

Da Costa was admitted to the 46th Stationary Hospital at Etaples in October 1918 suffering from dysentery. On 5 April 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

His name appears in the British Jewry Book of Honour 1914-1920.