Letters to the Editor: Invitation to families of Irish men who died in First World War battle

Cork Public Museum and the Western Front Association wish to hear from the families of members of the Royal Irish Regiment 2nd Battalion who died in the Battle of Le Pilly

The monument in Herlies, Lille, unveiled in 2018 honouring the Irish men who died at the Battle of Le Pilly in France on October 19, 1914 during the First World War. Picture: X/@IrlEmbParis

Cork Public Museum and the Cork Branch of the Western Front Association, supported by Cork City Library and Cork City and County Archives, are currently undertaking a study of the Battle of Le Pilly. The battle was centered around the village of the same name in France during the Great War.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Le Pilly. On October 19, 1914, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment captured the village of Le Pilly in France. However, the battalion was unsupported on its flanks and it suffered horrendous losses during a German counterattack. Prior to the battle, the battalion had a strength of 20 officers and 884 other ranks. After the battle, its strength consisted of only one officer and 135 other ranks.