6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles

6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles formed in Northern Ireland at the beginning of World War Two. They were a Home Defence Battalion formed of older soldiers.

6th Battalion (Home Defence) Royal Ulster Rifles formed in Northern Ireland at the beginning of World War Two. They were a Home Defence Battalion.

Formed in 1939, 6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles consisted of older men with previous military experience. They came from No. 200 Group National Defence Companies but were unfit for active service during World War Two.

On 24th December 1940, 6th Battalion became 30th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles. The ‘Home Defence’ dropped from the title and it became a regular infantry battalion. 30th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles disbanded in May 1943 in Northern Ireland.

Edward Weir

Private | D/24547

Edward Weir, the son of a Scottish rivetter in Belfast's shipyards, died on 14th January 1947 after treatment in the UVF Hospital, Upper Galwally, Belfast.

James Henry Holt

Rifleman | D/25043

Rifleman James Henry Holt was born in England but lived at 8 Kensington Street, Belfast at the time of his death aged 50 years old on 10th June 1940.

James Thomas McVeigh

Rifleman | 7017357

Rifleman James Thomas McVeigh was 40 years old, serving in a home defence unit when he died in a military hospital in Belfast, Co. Down on 11th March 1941.

James Thompson

Rifleman | D/24542

Rifleman James Thompson of Belfast, Co. Antrim served in 6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in a Home Defence Role at his time of death on 7th January 1942.

John Clarke

Corporal | D/24423

Corporal John Clarke from Dundonald, Co. Down served in 6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles, a Home Defence battalion when he died on 28th March 1940.

Joseph John Darragh

Joseph John Darragh | 7009604

Lance Corporal Joseph John Darragh of Belfast, Co. Antrim died on 21st March 1945 aged 41 years old. He served in 6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

Joseph William McKernan

Warrant Officer Class II | D/25096

Company Sergeant Major Joseph William McKernan served with the Royal Ulster Rifles during World War Two. He died after the war's end on 2nd April 1947.

Richard Starrett

Rifleman | D/25132

Rifleman Richard Starrett was born in Barrow-in-Furness and moved to Belfast, Co. Antrim. During World War One, he enlisted with the Royal Irish Rifles.

Robert John Baine McKeown

Corporal | 25094

Corporal Robert John Baine McKeown - known as John - died on 16th March 1941 while serving with 6th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in Northern Ireland.