The 5th Royal Irish Lancers

Research and Information

I am at present involved in extensive research on the 5th Royal Irish Lancers with a view to publishing a definitive history of the regiment. This will cover the regiment from it’s reinstatement as a regiment of lancers in 1858 up to its disbandment in 1921 and amalgamation with the 16th Lancers in 1922.
This research is carried out using first hand documents written by members of the regiment ranging from war diaries, maps, diaries and a whole host of other items.
The reason for my research is that to date, only one volume of the regiment’s history is available (albeit in very limited numbers) which covers the regiment’s history from their formation in 1689 until 1905. This excellent work was written by W.T. Wilcox who served as an officer with the regiment until 1905. It is an invaluable record undeniably but alas incomplete. Perhaps the regiment’s greatest contribution during - World War One still remains undocumented fully.
Certainly histories have been written on the 16th/5th Lancers and overviews of the regiments formation and history have been given but I feel these publications do not go into great detail. My research will hopefully put this right and make available the history of a regiment that nowadays (like so many other disbanded regiments with great histories) are being forgotten.
I intend to give details on all officers who served with the regiment, medal and award winners, accurate accounts of the many battles and campaigns the regiment took part in with a particular emphasis on the 5th RIL’s contributions, as well as documenting their peacetime activities. Also, being the uniform buff and collector that I am, I would also like make a definitive record of the uniform details and regulations throughout the regiments history.
I welcome any input no matter how small and any person wishing to submit information please do not hesitate to email me.

Also, I am willing to carry out (albeit on a small scale) research into family members who served with the 5th Royal Irish Lancers during World War One only. I have access to the records office in Kew which houses many records of soldiers who served as well as medal rolls etc. I personally hit the jackpot with my great uncle’s records which were pretty extensive. Some are not so lucky and leave empty handed. Please be aware of this.
There are a few simple guidelines which one should follow BEFORE contacting me. Please read them carefully and if you request is within the criteria then I may be able to help you.

• Research will ONLY be carried out on persons who served with the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. Other regiments will not be considered unless the individual served for the best part of their service with the 5th RIL. Persons who started their service with another regiment and transferred to the 5th RIL may in certain cases be considered.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT RECORDS FOR NCOs AND OTHER RANKS WHO SERVED DURING THE BOER WAR AND BEFORE ARE NON-EXISTANT AT THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE UNLESS THEY WERE OFFICERS WHO ALSO SERVED DURING WORLD WAR ONE. PLEASE BEAR THIS IN MIND BEFORE CONTACTING ME.

• I will need full names and some background information (i.e. where the said individual resided before enlistment, age, nationality etc). Photographs would be most welcome.

• Research on individuals whose medals are in the hands of private collectors may also be considered but again this is strictly limited to soldiers who served with the 5th RIL.

• I will charge only for photocopying records nothing else. The research will be carried out free of charge but please be aware the only source I have at the moment for searching is the Public Records Office in Kew, London.

• If I agree to do research for you, please be patient. I have a full time job and a life outside work too so please give me a bit of leeway as far as time is concerned. Also, my research into the regiments history will take priority.
• If information is found on an individual I request that I be able to use the information as part of my research should any useful information arise form the results.

• Please read this part carefully. You may or may not be aware the Public Records Office was badly damaged during World War Two and many records were destroyed during raids by the Luftwaffe. As a result there are many records that have been lost forever and cannot be brought back. Tragic as it may seem there is no way of knowing which records were destroyed so research on individuals may draw a complete blank. Rest assured that if I do carry out research I will be as thorough as possible and will endeavour to find your subject however there is a possibility that there will be no information found.

If you have read the guidelines and are happy that you meet the above criteria then please email me with your request.