Visit to the Loyal North Lancashire Regimental Headquarters

In the course of our research into our ancestors' Military past, Josie and I visited the Fulwood Barracks in Preston which is active Headquarters of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, one original regiment of which is the Loyal North Lancashires.

My First Cousin (x3 removed), John Hopkins, Private 13488, served with them throughout World War 1.

The Lancashire Infantry Museum is housed here, and we had to go through a rigorous security check and be issued with military passes to be worn and displayed at all times whilst on the base!
You can see how delighted we were!!

The Curator was very helpful and gave us 2 boxes of original documents to look through relating to the 8th Battalion, with which John served.
It was fascinating to hold and read documents written on the battlefields of WW1.

Josie studying documents

John Hopkins was a 'bad shot' and had to have extra shooting practice!!

The Nominal Rolls containing details of Next of Kin

Memorial to a fallen Captain

One of the most poignant typed Special Orders we found was the above, typed out to be read to the troops the day before 'a great battle'. It is full of exhortations and brave words designed to rally the troops, but in hindsight it became an epitaph for thousands of young men who would be slaughtered on the fields of the Somme in the worst days of the British army.

We also toured the Museum after our research which contains fascinating reminders and personal effects of soldiers from all the Lancashire Regiments and the many Wars and battles they have fought.

Chalk carvings from the Front

Regimental drumhead

LNLR entering Cambrai

LNLR 8th Battalion

LNLR 8th Battalion

Personal effects from the Front