The following pages highlight the existence of a remarkable band of Irishmen who, in 1914, in civvy street Ulster, were chauffeurs, mechanics, drivers, linen merchants, fitters and carpenters. At the outbreak of war they joined up to serve their country in a simple act of national pride, thinking as Naval men their role was straightforward : support the sea battle against Germany.

No.3 Squadron Russian Armoured Car Division

However thanks to an eccentric English commander and the explosive events on the Eastern Front, the Irishmen of the Royal Naval Air Service were thrust into the Bolshevik revolution fighting a very unconventional war from armoured cars in Persia, Asia Minor and Rumania and became known as the Russian Armoured Car Division.

For most of these men, the coast at Donaghdee or Portrush would constitute a journey in 1915. Now they boarded a ship bound for ice filled seas and would haul heavy armoured cars over arid landscapes and frozen wastes, thousands of miles from home.

Choose a section below to read more about this boys-own adventure.....