Under the system introduced in 1881, one battalion of each infantry regiment was to serve at a home station while the other was in a foreign garrison or on active service. Due to the emergency caused by the outbreak of war in South Africa in 1899 most home service battalions were dispatched to the conflict.[1] The 1st East Lancashire Regiment arrived at Cape Town in early February 1900,[3] and remained posted in South Africa until after the war ended, leaving Cape Town again in November 1902.[4]
The 2nd Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps, based at Blackburn: renamed to 1st Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in 1889[1]
The 3rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps, based at Burnley: renamed to 2nd Volunteer Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in 1889[1]
The militia was a reserve force that was only liable to service in the United Kingdom and in peace time assembled for period of annual training. In time of war it could be "embodied" or mobilised. When the war that broke out in South Africa in 1899 began to absorb a large amount of the regular army's resources, the terms of service of the militia were altered to allow them to serve in the war. The 3rd Battalion was embodied in January 1900 and served in South Africa until 1902. It was disembodied in March 1902. The battalion was awarded the battle honour "South Africa 1900–1902".[5]
The volunteer battalions were organised for home defence purposes, and their members were subject to regular drills and training. Like the militia battalion, elements of the volunteers fought in South Africa. While members of the Volunteer Force could not be required to serve overseas, members from the battalions were voluntarily formed into Active Service Companies, providing reinforcements for the regular battalion. Both volunteer battalions were awarded battle honours for the war.[6][7]
1908 reorganisation
In 1908, under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 the militia and volunteer force were reconstituted as the "Special Reserve" and "Territorial Force" (TF). Territorial battalions were renumbered in series after the special reserve battalions. The resulting titles were:
4th Battalion (TF) (formerly 1st Volunteer Battalion) at Canterbury Street in Blackburn
5th Battalion (TF) (formerly 2nd Volunteer Battalion) at Bank Parade in Burnley
The Territorial Force was restructured into 14 infantry divisions, and the 4th and 5th battalions formed part of the East Lancashire Brigade of the East Lancashire Division. It was as part of that division that were to be mobilised in August 1914 after the outbreak of World War I.[6]
Redesignation of 8th Garrison Guard Battalion July 1918.
Western Front
Victoria Crosses
Spencer John Bent VC
Four members of the regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry:
Drummer Spencer John Bent, 1st Battalion (Le Gheer, Belgium, 1 –2 November 1914)
Private William Young, 8th Battalion (Fonquevillers, France, 22 December 1915)
Second Lieutenant Alfred Victor Smith, 1/5th Battalion (Helles, Galliopoli, Turkey, 23 December 1915)
Second Lieutenant Basil Arthur Horsfall, attached to 11th Battalion (Between Moyenneville and Ablainzevelle, France, 21 March 1918)
Inter war
Between the Wars the East Lancs served in many conflicts including Baluchistan, Afghanistan, Ireland, Turkey, Palestine and the North West Frontier of India.[9]
The East Lancashire Regiment was again increased in size for the duration of the Second World War, although not to such an extent as in 1914–1918. Firstly, prior to the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, the entire Territorial Army was doubled in size, with each unit forming a duplicate. Secondly, a number of wartime battalions were formed.[1]
Formed from the East Lancashire company of a Mixed Holding battalion at Huyton; brought to full war establishment by a draft of men returned from the Dunkirk evacuation and renumbered 8th 1940.[14]
When the two regiments of foot merged in 1881, new badges were designed that would endure for the rest of the regiment's existence, subject to changes in the style of crown, and which would be worn on the later service dress and battle dress uniforms. The headdress badge selected for the centre of the full dress helmet was a sphinx upon a plinth inscribed "EGYPT".[20] The sphinx had been awarded to the 30th Foot in 1802 to mark its participation in repelling the French invasion of Egypt.[21] The collar badge selected was the Red Rose of Lancaster to mark the regiment's county affiliation.[22] In 1897 a khaki uniform featuring a slouch hat was introduced, and a metal cap badge was devised for each regiment or corps. The badge of the East Lancs was the sphinx and "Egypt" above the rose, the whole enclosed within a laurel wreath topped by a crown. The laurel wreath had formed part of the insignia of the 59th Foot. A scroll inscribed "EAST LANCASHIRE" at the base of the badge completed the design.[20]
Battle honours
The regiment was awarded the following battle honours (those selected for display on the colour are indicated in bold):[1]
Earlier wars:
Gibraltar 1704-05, Belle isle, Chitral, South Africa 1900-02
^"Official site". Lancashire Infantry Museum. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
^ abKipling, Arthur L; King, Hugh L (2006). Head-Dress Badges of the British Army: Volume One - Up to the Great War. Uckfield: Naval and Military Press. pp. 152, 186–187. ISBN1-84342-512-2.
^Sumner, Ian (2001). British Colours & Standards 1747 – 1881 (2) Infantry. Oxford: Osprey. p. 9. ISBN1-84176-201-6.
^Churchill, Colin (2002). History of the British Army Infantry Collar Badge. Uckfield: Naval and Military Press. ISBN978-1-84342-357-7.
^"Battle Honours. County Regiments". The Times. 13 April 1924. p. 9.
^"Battle Honours. Fourteen Regiments Named in New List". The Times. 11 March 1957. p. 7.
