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  The Lonsdale Battalion On This Day

A daily listing of movements, actions, events and political involvements of the Lonsdale Battalion that took place this day between 1914–1918. (This information refreshes daily.)

On this day in history (26 March)

1915

• “The General Officer Commanding in Chief was very much pleased with his inspection this morning. He is well aware of the difficulties under which you formed your Battalion, and he considers very great credit is due to you for the efficient training and administration of which he saw such evident proof...He is confident that wherever you go you will sustain the credit of the Western Command, and he wishes all ranks of your Battalion to be informed accordingly. He will watch their military career with the greatest interest.”
• “It is probable that all men in billets will be moved into Camp during the month of April. Any claims for alleged damages should be submitted forthwith, as no subsequent claims can be considered.”
• “The Commanding Officer has received the following gifts of socks: St. Stephen’s Church Sewing Guild - 110 pairs; Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild (through Lady Valda Machell) - 10000 pairs; Lady Valda Machell - 41 pairs.”
• Battalion order: “Until further orders, besides being worn on guard & when walking out, Khaki uniforms, as fitted to each soldier, will be worn by him on leave, & on Saturdays & Sundays at all times, except on Fatigues & dirty work of any kind.”
• Letter from Alfred Hall, head teacher of Seaton: “....seeing that the Battalion is one raised in Sporting Counties with one of our greatest sportsmen at its head, and also that Coursing appeals to the majority of men of Cumberland & Westmorland, I shall be pleased to make the Battalion the present of the pure bred red Greyhound dog “Hayes Gaffer””
• Lt-Col. Machell: “....the special modified course of Musketry with 10 Service Rifles at Burgh-by-Sands is now concluded.”
• Twenty six men are discharged.

1916

• Battalion situated in rest billets in Dernancourt.
• Captain Brown takes over command of Captain Rivington, commanding C Company.
• Deaths: Joseph Fisher (5357 Pte.)

1917

• Battalion situated at Nesle. All but one Company parades and marches to dig on strong points.
• Deaths: Frederick Albert Bailey (33419 Pte.)

1918

• The Lonsdales leave Canal Bank at 9.30am and entrain for Elverdinghe about 11am. Battle stores are issued before departure. They arrive at Aubigny at 9 p.m. Transport leaves by road at 12 noon. The men march to Wanquetin about 9 miles during aerial bombardment and encamp in huts.

References / notes

Material from Timeline/Chronology of the Lonsdale Battalion (September 1914 - May 1915) are sourced from the DLONS/L/13/13 Lowther Estate Archives. Entries from this timeline are reproduced here with kind permission of Jim Lowther and are not available under the license of this site. Please do not publish these extracts on other publicly visible media without prior permission from the copyright holder.

  Featured Images

A discussion is taking place between the Commanding Officer and one of his men

"This is how you do it lads." An aiming drill staged for the photographer

Learning how to "dig-in" and the rigid training involved of digging entrenchments

Inspection of the troops by Lord Lonsdale, the men standing to attention as he passes by

Close quarter bayonet training with sandbags

Officers out for a stroll through the grounds keeping a watchful eye on the training

Officers of the Lonsdale Battalion

A parade of new recruits, many without uniform until these could be supplied at a later date

There's no getting away from the morning stretches!

The Commanding Officer, Percy Machell and other officers, watch the physical drill instructor

A route march through the streets of Carlisle

A route march through the streets of Carlisle, the fanfare of the lads marching off to war

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Interested in helping out around here? There is always something to write, discover and learn about the Lonsdales and the regiment to which they belonged, The Border Regiment.

Our largest on-going projects are The Lonsdale Battalion On This Day and Lonsdale Battalion Roll of Honour. But every project, however, no matter how large or small is just as important as the next, which is why they are of equal value and interest. Currently, there are several other site projects on the go or waiting to be started, and this is where we need your help in making these available for everyone. Take a quick look at the recent changes made to the site to see what has been happening lately.

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THE   LONSDALE   BATTALION

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