The Newsletter supports ’s Museum of The Lion & Military Life.

Thethe Friends of Cumbria’s DragonMuseum of Military Life Winter 2019 Contents 55th Foot. Still loyal in Illinois Regimental vehicles - Saracen Woodhall Spa Memorial window Full Museum Accreditation Cumbria Militia archive appeal w Bookshelf Duke of Lancaster's News Museum & Friends News Diary Lest we forget Welcome Museums are not just e storehouses of objects. They offer chances to study and they encourage an interest in history. Both objectives that are shared with living history groups. 'The Lion and the Dragon' is grateful to the 'Recreated 55th Regiment of Foot', from Illinois, q r for providing a glimpse of one of the antecedent regiments to the Duke of 55th Foot. Still loyal in Illinois. Lancaster's Regiment. Thanks to the '55th The scene is a living history event, a just been posted at an intersection of a dirt road. He Foot' we can revisit encampment circa 1776. The history being portrayed stands with a fixed bayonet and musket at the support. the American War of happened two hundred forty-three years ago on the east About ten feet to the teenager’s left a row of sun- Independence and learn coast of His Majesty’s rebellious colonies in America, bleached tents are pitched. In front of one there appears a little of everyday life in but this particular day the site is in the countryside to be a very experienced soldier taking a break. He uses the colonies 250 years surrounding Chicago, Illinois. a full knapsack as a pillow and his cocked hat is shifted ago. to block the sun from his eyes. Not far away a corporal A modern teenager has just entered a simulation not is taking three men through His Majesty’s Manual of Peter Green only of a different time, but also a different place. Editor Arms of 1764. They are, what would have once been He looks around. About thirty feet away a guard has called, the awkward squad. Good enough with their drill to be fielding, but new and not quite good enough to not grenadiers, light infantry, highlanders, or light avoid the extra drill. dragoons. We are not Guardsmen or from a Royal regiment like the King’s 8th. We are Captain James Behind the teenager, well out of the corporal’s line of Taylor Trevor’s Battalion Company of the 55th sight three men with shifty expressions stand around Regiment of Foot. We are representing what you might a drum using a bell of arms as partial cover from call standard British infantry, not the top 1%, but more undesired observation. There was pay call today and like 80% of the army. Without fancy titles or a doting unlike their rebel opposition they have been paid. Coins colonel (one ended up in debtor’s prison) the 55th Foot are on the drum, and so are dice as they gamble away served the Crown, performed with professionalism and their meagre pay. These same three men do this every got the job done.” time they are paid, a reminder of why some men did not receive full pay from the army until they were mustered Captain Trevor’s Company out (Officers could withhold part of a man’s pay for his The 55th Regiment of Foot started out as the 57th own good). Regiment of Foot in 1755 during the Seven Years War but was 55th in the line by 1757. Three of its colonels died in the war including Lord George Howe, the only man to earn a monument in Westminster Re-enactment groups Abby funded by Americans. Among other exploits the There are six groups who Regiment attempted to storm Fort Carillon (n/k/a Fort portray our local regiments. Ticonderoga) with the 42nd Foot in 1758, suffering great loss. It returned to Great Britain and was stationed 'The Queen's Regiment' are a in Ireland when the American rebellion broke out. UK-based group. They re-enact a typical foot regiment with yellow The 55th Foot was supposed to arrive in Boston in 1775 and most of it did. But two companies (including facings from Queen Anne's t y reign, which included Hamilton's Captain Trevor’s Company) were on a transport that Regiment, later 34th Foot. was damaged in a storm and made an unplanned detour Near them, a woman is teaching a child to sew. through Antigua so they were not able to join General '34th Regiment of Foot' are a US Women and children in a military camp are expected William Howe’s offensive force until the fall of 1776. The group who portray the regiment to work, and in this camp, they are arguably more 55th Foot participated in the New York Campaign and during the American War of industrious than the men, seldom taking a break. the Philadelphia Campaign before being redeployed in Independence. '34th the Border the Caribbean to counter the French in 1778. Regiment Arroyomolinos' from With everyone else seemingly occupied the teenager Spain, depict the 2nd battalion approaches a man who has just finished cleaning a Battle in the snow during the Peninsular War. musket. One particular battle stands out. On January 3, 1777 the regiment found itself in a tight spot near Princeton Questions 'The 55th Regiment of Foot', New Jersey when the entire Continental army attacked First the inevitable question, “Are you hot in those described here. it along with the 17th and 40th Foot regiments. clothes?” '2nd Battalion Ironically it was this defeat that would lead to the Great War Living History' are also “Not really, it can’t be warmer than 72 degrees today creation of the recreated 55th Regiment of Foot two a US-based group. and I am in the shade. Wool breathes a lot better than hundred and twenty-two years later. you would expect and this coat is 100% wool. It’s quite 'Border Regiment Living History' Recreating in the snow another thing if in Virginia during July.” are a Dutch group who portray In 1992 Americans Mark Tully and Ralph Briggs 1 Border during 'Market “What regiment do you guys represent?” were portraying ragged Continental soldiers in the Garden'. recreated 6th Virginia Regiment and on chilly days they “Well let me tell you first who we are not. We are experienced the full meaning of “ragged and cold.” Upon

u Page 2 buttons available, so Mark Tully drew a pattern with the best available information to manufacture replicas. When better images of an original button became available the design was improved. It used to be difficult to obtain coat wool with the appropriate red madder colour that did not contain at least some polyester. Now, one can acquire, at some expense, wool made from an 18th century breed of sheep with madder red colour i matched to the original dyes used. Activities discovering some men of the 6th Virginia acquired The recreated 55th Regiment of Foot has been a British regimental coats and knapsacks at the Battle member of three umbrella organisations, the Northwest of Princeton it seemed a red wool coat was a perfectly Territory Alliance, the Brigade of the American accurate solution. Out of the three possible regiments Revolution and the British Brigade. In addition to they chose the 55th Foot because the 6th Virginia battle re-enactments hosted by these organisations the dislodged them from Frog Hollow during the battle. But recreated 55th Foot has participated in events hosted Captions in the process of researching the 55th Foot something by historical sites such as garrisoning historic Fort 1: The face of the 18C army? took hold and the project evolved and blossomed into a Michilmackinac in the dead of winter (complete with Rick Holmes © Brian Schultz new primary impression. They picked Captain Trevor’s eleven foot high snowdrifts) and helping portray Lord company as Captain Trevor died in a duel with Ensign Cornwallis’ occupation of Colonial Williamsburg (in the 2: Lorne Knutson strikes a Power also of the 55th and this in itself was interesting. middle of summer with temperatures in excess of 100 period pose © Scott Hancock On May 28, 1994, the recreated 55th Foot took the field degrees). 3: Pay Day, with Doug for the first time with five men under arms and three The recreated unit has also done a few private events Johnson and Ralph Briggs © female camp followers. such as tactical war games with rebel factions in a Peg Matthews The Mission of the recreated 55th Regiment of Foot, wilderness area and musket accuracy experiments using 4 Mary Briggs does some Trevor’s Company is to accurately present a living live fire on life sized targets of an enemy platoon at 18C Spud Bashing picture of a British battalion Company at the beginning various ranges. © Lorne. Knutson of the American War of Independence using Trevor’s If you attended a public event with the recreated Company as the inspiration and model. 5: Michael Mathews after a 55th Foot you would almost certainly witness drilling. hard day in the sun © Lorne Uniforms Depending on the event and time you might also Knutson As the Company was a late arrival to General Howe’s witness a changing of the guard, a pay call, issuance of task force most of the uniform is straight out of the rum rations, a knapsack inspection, gambling, a visit by 6: James Clary, drummer in regulations of 1768 with few modifications. There a doctor to pull a sore tooth, or a mess dividing rations. his coat with reversed facings is not a lot of evidence that the 55th Foot’s pre-war You might also be invited to be trained tactics with a © Molly Roberts colonels (there were three between 1774 and 1775) wooden training musket. 7: Members of the 55th were investing a great deal of money on the regiment re-enactment group © before its arrival in America. According to the last pre- When public hours are over the Company remains in Marianne Knutson deployment inspection return the regiment’s privates 18th century attire, usually engaging in song, ale and were “not very highly dressed nor well appointed.” This banter before calling it a night. 8: The 55th Foot on parade is reflected in the recreated regiment. There are no brass Recruits at Saratoga plates on the cartridge pouches nor marked plates of With a history spanning over twenty-five years the any kind on the enlisted men. recreated company has had more members than the More information Find out more about the original Trevor’s company, just not at the same time. For many years the recreated 55th Foot had Historic 55th Regiment In the past members were issued rack numbers, which regimental pattern coat buttons and its distinctive of Foot, including several might be stamped on a musket such as 55-F-9. This had coat lace but plain unmarked waistcoat buttons. No historical records at: to change when the Company ran out of rack numbers examples of a regimental waistcoat button had been http://mrtully.com/55th/ to give without recycling old numbers. found so it was assumed the regiment used plain ones. And follow the recreated When a waistcoat button from the 55th came to light Recruits come from a variety of occupations and age unit on Facebook at: the recreated company added them to the uniform. groups. The recreated 55th Foot has been fortunate https://www.facebook. to have in its ranks authors of historical books, as The Orderly books of the 55th Foot covering 1776 com/pg/55thFoot well as talented craftsmen, tailors, artists, educators, were lost at the Battle of Princeton and allegedly are technology experts, brewers of historic beverages, presently in the hands of an unknown private collector. public entertainers and even a veteran of the British If rediscovered, they could provide valuable information army! They all have brought different perspectives and possible updates to the appearance of the recreated to the recreated regiment’s collaborative culture and regiment. contributed to its mission to keep history alive and It is no simple matter to put together an accurate 18th vibrant. Century British soldier’s uniform. The fit of the clothing Lorne Knutson is difficult to get right and requires a specialised tailor. In The Recreated 55th Foot 1993 there were no well preserved 1776 era 55th Foot [email protected] Page 3 They were last used in enthusiasts. One in Regimental Hong Kong by the Saracen running order, but still Woodhall vehicles Troop of 28 Squadron, needing restoration, Spa the Queen's Own Gurkha will set you back around Saracen Transport Regiment (now £7,000. Memorial The Editor 10 The Queen’s Own MEMORIES window Gurkha Logistic Regiment) A driver's memory, in 1993. Jackie Goodall "The steering wheel was NORTHERN IRELAND oddly canted in by your After the end of the The Lion and the Dragon Saracens saw service knees. It was slightly away Second World War, the is grateful for this account in Northern Ireland into from the driver whilst by Fighting Vehicles Research by Jackie Goodall from the 1980s. King's Own your stomach/chest it was and Development Woodhall Spa. Royal Border Regiment quite close." Establishment began the was issued with Saracen in "Arnhem holds a special design of the FV600 series And this from service in 1972. place in the history of armoured fighting Northern Ireland. Collectable of Woodhall Spa. The The first military personnel vehicles. Today Saracens are "I remember one Saracen three battalions of the carrier - the chariot FV600 SERIES widely collected by at Strabane, it was 1st Airlanding Brigade Chariots were first used in The first three models covered in many different were based there from warfare during the Bronze Age in this series were the colours of paint. I noticed 1943‑1944. around 2,000 years ago. FV601 Saladin armoured what looked like smoke Market Garden car, the FV602 command Chariots were fast, light and coming off the vehicle, as I As part of the 75th vehicle (which was open vehicles, with two-wheels. got closer I realised it was commemoration of cancelled) and the FV603 They were little more than a a large patch of acid which 'Market Garden', a Saracen Armoured floor with a waist-high guard was causing the paint to stained-glass window Personnel Carrier. at the front and sides. More of smoulder. I think a lot of was commissioned for St Owing to the situation an unarmoured fighting vehicle lads would agree that the Peter’s church. in Malaya in the late than personnel carrier. They Saracen saved many lives 1940s the development normally had a crew of two - and troops from serious of the Saracen was given driver and fighter. q injuries.” precedence. The chariot was used as a ALVIS moving platform from which The Saracen was arrows and javelins could be manufactured by Alvis launched against the enemy. and introduced in the Chariot tactics were not to early 1950s. The hull of r charge the enemy head on like the Saracen armoured heavy cavalry, but to be always personnel carrier was Symbolic design. on the move in and out of the constructed of all-welded Central to and running battle, shooting from a distance. steel armour, with the down from the top of More like skirmishers or light engine at the front and the this window is a band of infantry. personnel compartment at w the rear. vertical blue streaky glass. NB Boudica's scythe-wheeled This colour is symbolic of chariot was a Victorian invention. Saracens could carry e the sky but also signifies eight men plus a troop the healing power and commander, driver and heavenly love of the radio operator. The vehicle word of God. A mix of remained in production yellow/ochres with areas until the mid-1970s. of purple toned glass is ROLLS-ROYCE ENGINE used since these colours The Saracen weighed are representative of 12 tons and was 15' 6" martyrdom and sorrow. long. It was powered by a Ex- Para Designer Rolls-Royce B80 Mk 3A or The initial design was Mk 6A, 8 cylinder petrol created by John Ward was engine generating 160 a local man and a member hp. It had an on-road top of the Lincoln branch of speed of 45 mph and a the Parachute Regiment range of 250 miles. Association. John and Page 4 I discussed the idea of a the most extensive series. Museum Cumberland The Indexing project has Accreditation Militia highlighted information that was previously Success archive difficult to access such as Stuart Eastwood appeal the percentage of males Curator who remained single, Helen Cunningham injury and disability within the male population, the In early October the The Cumbria County trades carried out in each Museum Trust received Archive Service is indexing township, changes in the wonderful news from the Cumberland militia occupation throughout the Arts Council England that ballot lists. The militia period. it has granted the Museum was a defensive force of Employment Changes full Accreditation as able-bodied men aged 18 For instance in Carlisle part of the Accreditation – 45 years and lists were in 1806, 510 men Scheme for UK Museums compiled annually. described themselves Captions and Galleries. Family history as weavers; by 1818, it 1: Bessbrook, Northern Ireland The Scheme sets source was only 43 men as the nationally agreed The returns survive for transition from handloom 2: Desert ambulance, standards for UK three of the five wards weaving to weaving by Abercorn Barracks, museums. To qualify of Cumberland, giving machine in mills took hold. Ballykinler, Northern names, age, occupation museums must meet Volunteers Ireland 1972 and number of dependent standards on how they are Volunteers are always children, and occasionally 3: Crossmaglen, South managed, for the services welcome to help with the information on physical Armagh, Northern Ireland they offer and on how they indexing as less than 15% infirmities, poverty, care for their collections. of the collection has been 4: Standard bearers at and other reasons for indexed. the dedication service at exemption. Each parish St Peters, Woodhall Spa, had several township lists. You can reach Helen Lincolnshire Cunningham at Cumbria's Most extensive 5: The memorial window at collection Archives by email helen. St Peter’s Church Such lists survive in only cunningham@cumbria. six counties in England; gov.uk 6. The Museum's education t Cumberland’s lists being activities are a key part of y stained glass window back its accreditation in 2014 so this is now a Achievement u 7. The formal instruction reality at last. This is a great requiring the creation of a Binoculars achievement for both list of men for the militia The stained-glass was Staff and Trustees and ballot from Rickergate created by Glenn Carter is has resulted from a great Parish, Carlisle, in 1806, a self employed artist. He deal of hard work. The from the Cumbria Archive. has specialised in stained Museum has enjoyed Full The list that was compiled glass and has worked Accredited Status since included Hugh Graham, within the diocese of 1989, but, during the Blacksmith, aged 35 years, Lincoln for many years. He move to Alma Block in with one leg removed and now lives and works near 2014, the status became five children under 14 years. Plymouth, teaches and provisional until the still makes stained glass project was completed. windows. All the necessary Glenn told me that requirements were met whenever anyone wanted some time ago, but to look at a stained glass the delay in granting window they should take the full lease to Alma a pair of binoculars with Block by English them because otherwise Heritage prevented Full so much fine detail is lost. Accreditation being This is certainly true for awarded. As the signed our window." lease is now imminent the stumbling block has been Page 5 removed. Book over the 13 colonies. A new book on the India from Burma. Named Some colonial voices felt 55th's history "U Go," its main objective shelf that their contribution to was the capture of the the recent victories had town of Imphal, which Peter Green failed to be recognised or provided the easiest route rewarded. Daniel Dulany, between India and Burma. a wealthy Maryland Whoever controlled it, lawyer believed that “… controlled access between the general exertion of the the two countries. American politics colonies in North America 14th Army and the Revolution not only facilitated, but Facing the Japanese was was indispensable” to the the British Fourteenth successes of 1763. Army and its Imphal- George Grenville, based 4 Corps. For the British Prime Minister, next four months, over took the view that they The Lion and the 200,000 men clashed Last minute Christmas should contribute more to Dragon: Britain's in the hills and valley of Gift suggestions from the Britain, “The Nation has Opium Wars with China Manipur in what has since Museum Shop run itself an immense debt 1839-1860 been described as one to give them protection,” Mark Simner of the greatest battles of Fonthill he told the Commons. World War II £22.40 The national debt had It is tempting to view the Although numbers vary, sky-rocketed, transferring Opium Wars simply as it is estimated that some some of the costs of a means for the British 30,000 Japanese soldiers Insurrection: the Empire to the colonies Empire to force upon the died and 23,000 were American Revolution injured at Imphal–Kohima and its meaning appeared a logical. One Chinese a narcotic in order in 1944 due to fighting, James Kirby Martin British official summarise to make money. the official line as, "The disease and in the retreat Westholme Indeed, it was, but the colonies ... Have been of back to Burma. It remains £13.59 Chinese were not entirely At the end of the Seven late darling object of their the largest defeat on land innocent, many Chinese King's Own Royal Border Years War the idea that Mother country's care: we ever for the Japanese merchants often ignored Regiment tie worn by the the British colonies in are not yet recovered from Army. imperial edicts and members of the King's Own North America would be a war undertaken solely actively sought the trade 'Imphal 1944' has full Royal Border Regiment. Available at war with their home for their protection." in order to likewise profit, colour artwork and maps from the museum shop at £10 country would have been Success bred while corrupt Chinese especially created for the includes postage. unthinkable. rebellion officials, personally book. Martin’s analysis of the Who owed who? benefited from the illegal Where to buy the In the economic slump years before 1770 gives a sale of opium. that followed the War’s basis for understanding books we feature how rebellion turned into Border's in Burma end and the benign The Museum bookshop revolution. neglect of the Colonial Background does of course have the administrations James The success of the 13 best range of histories of Martin sees the creation colonies combined with a Cumbria's regiments. of a fertile ground British government that But for other publications for revolution. The lacked the imagination we recommend removal of the external to see that the colonies 'Bookends', between Friends of the Museum tote threat of the French deserved recognition as Carlisle Castle and the bag. Ideal as your 'sustainable' was an opportunity mature potentially self- Cathedral at 19 Castle shopiing bag. £5 from the for philosophising and governing states led to Street, Carlisle. They are Museum shop or £6 by post. politics. Separated from independence. Ironically happy to order titles. Westminster by three it would be British sea- Its associated shop thousand miles of sea, the power that enabled the 'Bookcase' has a vast range maturing colonies began South American colonies Imphal 1944 of second‑hand military to question their position of Portugal and Spain to Hemant Singh Katoch books. Ring them on as just one part of Empire. gain their independence Osprey £14.99 01228 529067 or email 20 years later. Whilst for Westminster In March 1944, the [email protected]. this was an opportunity Japanese Fifteenth Army to strengthen its control launched an offensive into Page 6 Duke of Museum Friends Diary

Lancaster's News News 4 December, Wednesday, 1930 hrs Regiment Major Mike Can you help The Brandwood TD Combined Services Carol Friends? We need new Service, the Cathedral, News Mike Brandwood sadly 8, 9 and 10 May general committee Carlisle. All welcome. passed away in October King’s Own Royal Border Kingsman Kian Helm members to assist in Dress for servicemen will aged 72. Mike was born in Regimental Weekend, visited Regimental Head organising fund-raising be No2/SD whilst Veterans into a Border 'The Shepherds Inn & Quarters yesterday before and publicity, and should wear a jacket and Regiment family. His Auctioneer', Montgomery he sets off on his epic row helping at the museum. Regimental Tie. father Peter served with Way, Rosehill Estate , across the Atlantic with Interested? If so please the 5th Battalion during Carlisle CA1 2RW the Force Atlantic team. contact me, phone and WW2 and was awarded email details below. a Military Cross. Mike 11 May, Monday was educated at St. Bees Nearly £2,000 raised Fontenoy Day, Regimental The WW1 Dinner was School and worked in anniversary, 34th Foot an excellent event that the banking sector in the recreated the meal served county, served with the to 11th (Lonsdale) Bn The 4th Battalion King’s Own Border Regt in 1917. It 9 December, Monday, Royal Border Regiment was served in the museum 1300 hrs TA and from 1999 to 2012 with silver from the Veterans Lunch Club, the was Assistant Regimental museum’s collection. The Museum Secretary King’s Own event raised just under Royal Border Regiment 2020 £2,000 for the Museum and County Secretary 14 January, Tuesday The Duke of Lancaster’s Retirement 1830 hrs Regiment at Carlisle We bid farewell to Talk, 'Reverend Theodore Castle. He took a great Jeffrey Mills on his Bayley Hardy VC, DSO, Kian was presented with interest in the Museum retirement from the MC or The most highly 12 May, Tuesday a Regimental Flag to take and served as a Trustee Friends' Committee. decorated non-combatant 1830 hrs with him on his journey, from 1999 to 2012. His He organised the in WW1 (from Cumbria)', Talk, 'Walking away from which will last around 40 funeral at Wythop near establishment of The Chester Forster the Americans: two prison days. Friends and has been a Embleton was attended camps in Germany 1945', committee member from by a great many friends 11 February, Tuesday Peter Green and former comrades. Our the start. We are very 1830 hrs condolences are extended grateful to him for all his Talk, 'The last drop: the 10 June,Wednesday to his wife Kate and son efforts on our behalf and British 6th Airborne Guadeloupe Day, Roger and family. for his wife Ann's support. Division and Operation Regimental anniversary, Closure Varsity 1945', Matthew 55th Foot Closure of the Area Wood HQ Duke of Lancaster’s 22 June 28 February, Friday Anniversary of the lifting Regiment at Carlisle Castle 'Ladysmith Day', Border of the siege of Imphal, and 1875-2019 Regiment anniversary Kohima, Border Regiment Picture project In September, the Area anniversary The outgoing NEXT year we are 10 March, Tuesday HQ of the Regiment at Commanding Officer focussing our Fund raising 1830 hrs the Castle closed. The 1 July of the 4th Battalion, on a restoration project Talk, 'The Territorial building had been used Anniversary of the The Duke of Lancaster’s for a picture ( Off Duty Army', Gary Sheffield continuously since it formation of the Duke of Regiment, Lt Col Justin in the Crimea by Paul was built c. 1875 as the 14 April, Tuesday Lancaster's Regiment Tancrel handed over to Lt Protais) The Museum will Officers’ Mess for the 1830 hrs Col Nick Kennon. From select a contractor shortly. 15 August Border Regimental Depot. Talk, 'British Forces Carlisle, Nick has served Current estimates are VJ Day 75th,Anniversary It was used from 1959 by in Germany', Dr Peter on operations in Iraq, around the £6,000 mark. the 4th Battalion Border Johnston, National Army Afghanistan, the Falkland The committee has agreed Regiment TA, as an area Museum Islands and Cyprus. Justin to try to raise £4,000 in a HQ and then Regimental moves on to be SO1 Air year towards that sum. 8 May HQ of The King’s Own Manoeuvre for 16 Air VE Day 75th Anniversary Royal Border Regiment Nigel Lewis Assault Brigade forward- until 2006 and then by 07787 411756 operating out of Army HQ nigel.d.lewis1@ the Duke of Lancaster’s in Andover. btinternet.com. Regiment. Page 7 Our Lest we Contacts Heritage forget Events and distinctions of Cumbria’s Museum of the Cumbrian regiments Military Life from the winter. Alma Block Carlisle Castle 27 February 1814, Battle Carlisle of Orthez, France, Cumbria 2/34th Foot CA3 8UR The regiment that The penultimate battle 01228 532774 became the 34th Foot was of the Peninsular War, [email protected] raised in 1702, as Robert, Wellington's army attacked Opening hours Lord Lucas’s Regiment. the French army led by 1 April–30 September December 1778, Marshal Nicolas Soult. Every day 10 am-6 pm When Lucas died in 1705 St Lucia, Caribbean, After stiff fighting Soult October they became Hamilton's 55th Foot was compelled to retreat, Every day 10 am-5 pm Regiment of Foot. The capture of St Lucia, which became a scramble in the Caribbean resulted 1 November to 31 March The 55th Foot were for safety. Saturday to Thursday from a 10 day campaign raised in 1755 by Colonel 10 am-4 pm closed on George Perry. They in mid-December 1778 28 February 1900, The Fridays were originally the 57th by British land and naval Relief of Ladysmith, Foot, but when lower forces. St Lucia had been a Boer War, Border Friends of Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life numbered regiments were French colony. Regiment British forces entered c/o Alma Block disbanded, they became Carlisle Castle the 55th Foot. Ladysmith on the afternoon of 1 March 1900. Editor's email: 34th Foot Officer's In 1782, all infantry [email protected] cross-belt badge regiments were given Facebook: 1800-1832 territorial attachments. http://bit.ly/2W2XbmU Our regiments became the Twitter: 21 December 1914 @TheLionTheDrag1 "34th Foot or Cumberland Private Abraham Acton Regiment", and the "55th VC, 2 Border & Private Duke of Lancaster’s Foot or Westmorland James Smith VC, 3 Regiment Regiment". Border (attached 2 Fulwood Barracks Border), Rouges-Bancs, In 1881 the two Watling Street Road France Preston regiments were brought The citation: "For PR2 8AA together to become the 1st conspicuous bravery and 2nd Battalions of ‘The Cumbria Army Cadet on 21st of December at 29 March 1855 Border Regiment’. Force Rouges-Bancs and rescuing Private William Coffey HQ In 1959 The Border a wounded man who had VC, DCM, 34th Foot, Carlisle Castle Carlisle Volunteers Regiment and the King’s been lying exposed against Crimea Cumbria Officer's cross-belt plate c Own Royal Regiment the enemies' trench for 75 For having thrown a lighted CA3 8UR 1807 (Lancaster) were combined hours. And on the same day shell that fell into the to form the King’s Own again leaving the trench trench over the parapet and Royal Border Regiment. voluntary under heavy thus saved many lives. fire, to bringing to cover In 2006 The King’s Own The VCs and medals of another wounded man. Royal Border Regiment, Privates James Smith and They were under fire for 60 merged with others William Coffey can be seen minutes whilst conveying to form The Duke of in the Museum at Carlisle wounded men to safety." Lancaster’s Regiment . and those of Abraham Acton in The Beacon Museum, 12 February 1702, The In addition to the regular Whitehaven. battalions there have been 34th Foot, raised. Border Regiment Officer’s trained bands, militia The Regiment was raised Acton and Smith portraits cap badge 1905-1952 companies and volunteer as Lord Lucas’ Regiment in are © CMOML, others are (silver or silver-plated with battalions that have all Norfolk and Essex. Creative Commons. enamel centre) worn on the peaked cap, side cap contributed to Cumbria's or beret military heritage. A heritage that goes back beyond the Middle Ages.