The Lonsdale Battalion Border Regiment, September 1914 to June 1915: Difference between revisions

Soon after the outbreak of war it became evident to those directing the Cumberland and Westmorland Territorial Force that, whilst a good proportion of Border Counties men were anxious to play an able-bodied man’s part in the struggle, many hesitated to offer themselves for general service without knowing where or with whom they might have to train and serve. The [[Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale|Earl of Lonsdale]], quick to see and understand this, submitted to the War Office a proposal to recruit a special local Battalion of Cumberland and Westmorland men. The approval of the Army Council was given (War Office letter No. 20/Gen. No./3162 (A.G.1), dated [[17 September|17th September]], 1914), an Executive Committee was formed, and it decided to raise the [[Lonsdale Battalion|“Lonsdale” Battalion]], in three detachments, viz., at [[Blackhall Racecourse]], Carlisle, at Workington, and at Kendal. The Earl of Lonsdale was appointed Chairman, with Colonel Weston, M.P., as Vice-Chairman, Major Binning, Mr. F. R. Hodgson, and Captain Wakefield were appointed Goveners of Local Committees, at Carlisle, Workington, and Kendal, respectively, and Mr. [[Gerald Spring-Rice]] became Hon. Secretary of the Executive Committee.

By order of the War Office, conveyed in War Officer letter No.20/Infy./635 (A.G.1) dated [[3 December|3rd December]], 1914, the Lonsdale Battalion became the [[Lonsdale Battalion|11th (Service) Battalion, Border Regiment (Lonsdale)]]. On the [[10 December|10th December]], 1914, the Battalion was attached to the 124th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Collings. On the [[16 March|16th March]], 1915, the Battalion was transferred to the 112th Brigade, under Brigadier-General Mackenzie. On [[8 May|May 8th]], 1915, the Battalion left [[Blackhall]] for [[Glossary:Prees Heath Camp|Prees Heath campCamp]], Salop, where it joined the 97th Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier-General Hacket Thompson, C.B., the other Battalions being the 15th, 16th and 17th Highland Light Infantry (1st, 2nd and 3rd Glasgow). On [[22 June|June 22nd]], 1915, the Battalion went under canvas at Wensley, in Yorkshire, where it was joined by the remainder of the Brigade.