In August that year, the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion was raised at Warley Barracks to serve as a training battalion for the men needed to replace losses sustained by the 1st Battalion in France. The 1st Irish Guards later in September took part in the First Battle of the Marne and the advance towards the Aisne. The Irish Guards, having lost their Commanding Officer only a few weeks after they had reached France, would take part in one of the bloodiest battles of 1914, the First Battle of Ypres, which began on 19 October. The battle caused major casualties among the old Regular Army. The 1st Battalion was involved in fighting for the duration of the battle, taking part in the major actions, at Langemarck, Gheluvelt and Nonne Bosschen.