local defence force 1914/1920

[lisduggan]

were there a local defence force in waterford in 1914/1920 if so is there any hope of getting records of former members  who may have serverd with them .

[Mick_Dolan86]

I would say No.

The LDF usually refers to the 1939-45 force of the Irish Free State. In 1914-20 the British army would have had the Reserve battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment. But that wouldn't have been a local defence force. You could also include the local members of the Irish Volunteers I suppose.

[lisduggan]

many thanks for your reply its  just that i  have a death cert for a\ child who died in 1919 and the father  was a solider ? as far as we know  he was a linesman with the post/ telagraphs..

[Mick_Dolan86]

Well that's not unusual. Tens of thousands of Irishmen served inthe British Army in WW1 and took up civilian occupations after discharge. You might even be able to locate his Army record online.

[lisduggan]

If this is so  how would I go about  getting  this information as we would like to
 know more about him many thanks for getting back to me regarding this .

[Mick_Dolan86]

WW1 military service records are available at Ancestry.co. You have to take out a subscription though. Quite a few records were destroyed during WW2 unfortunately but you might get lucky.

[lisduggan]

 good i will be on to that site  and might  get  the information  we need once again thank you for all your help,

[jds1949]

There was a force called the Royal Defence Force which operated in the Great War. The RDC were troops who were used in a variety of home postings where guards were needed. They staffed the POW camps, guarded the docks, munitions dumps and other vulnerable points, as well as the designated Special Military Areas. It was initially formed by converting the (Home Service) Garrison battalions of line infantry regiments. Garrison battalions were composed of soldiers either too old or medically unfit for active front-line service; the Home Service status indicated they were unable to be transferred overseas.

Your man may have been part of that force.

jds1949

[lisduggan]

thank you  would you have any idea how I could get more information regarding  this regiment I would be grateful for any help ,,