- South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers)
Link to Lancashire Infantry Museum, Preston – South Lancashire Regiment
The South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers) was formed in 1881 with HQ at Preston and recruiting mainly from South Lancashire. During the war the regiment raised 17 battalions (3 regular (1 a reserve unit) 6 Territorial, 8 service battalions) of which 11 served overseas.
South Lancashire Regiment CWGC Headstone insignia.
2 Bn South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers)
The 2 Bn South Lancashire Regiment was a regular army unit mobilised at Tidworth in August 1914 and went over to France on 14 August 1914. During the war they served with various brigades and divisions finally eneding up in 89 Brigade 30 Division. The battalion was in action during the retreat from Mons and the RAce to the Sea in 1914; in 1915 at Ypres and in 1916 on the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arrass and the BAttle of Cambrai and in 1918 during the Kaiser Offensive and 100 Days. At the end of the war they were at Aulnoit. By January 1919 they moved to Boulogne in billets at Lynde when demobilisation began.
Private 31080 George Edward Gauge, KIA 19 May 1918 (Maesbury War Memorial)
British (probably the South Lancashire Regiment), American and French troops searching German prisoners for papers at Meaulte, July 1918. (IWM Q 7933)
1/5 Bn South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers) 166 Brigade 55 (West Lancs) Division –
The 1/5 Bn South Lancashire Regiment was a territorial unit mobilised at Warrington in August 1914. They went over to France on 13 February 1915 when they were attached to 12 Brigade, 4 Division. They were transferred in November 1915 to 36 (Ulster) Division and in January 1916 to 166 Brigade, 55 (West Lancashire) Division. In 1916 they served on the Somme and in 1917 at Third Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they served during the KAiser Offensive and during the 100 Days. At the Armistice the battalion was at Lorette near to Saint Etienne. Bt January 1919 they were at Fort Jaco, Brussels, spending much of the time playing sports, especially football. The battalion was steadily demobilised between January and April.
Guard of the 1/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (166th Brigade, 55th Division) near Bethune, 5 September 1918.(IWM Q 9481)
8 Bn South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers) – 75 Brigade, 25 Division
The 8 Bn South Lancashire Regiment was a service battalion raised at Warrington in September 1914. They went over to France on 28 September 1915. They first saw action at Vimy Ridge during the German Offensive in May 1916, they also served on the Somme. In 1917 they took part in Third Ypres. The battalion was disbanded at Favreuil near Bapaume in February 1918
Private 31070 Arthur Clare, 2 Bn South Lancashire Regiment. KIA 21 August 1918, Tyne Cot Memorial (unknown) – formerly in 8 Bn SLR
END