King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

		King's Own Royal Regiment Museum Lancaster
HOME Museum & Collections Sales Donations Events Contact Us REGIMENTAL HISTORY 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century First World War Second World War Actions & Movements Battle Honours FAMILY HISTORY Resources Further Reading PHOTO GALLERY ENQUIRIES FURTHER READING LINKS © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.		141 Days: The Battle of the Somme Time Off Hundreds of thousands of men were wearing the King’s Uniform by 1915. They were based in army camps all over Great Britain. Although busy with their training, they also had time off. In the evenings soldiers could be found in the recreation hut, often run by volunteers, sometimes through the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) or another religious or charitable organisation. The recreation hut was a place to escape military life and catch up with a game of draughts, cards or may be crown and anchor. Newspapers, magazines and books were supplied and, if the mood suited, the soldiers could have a sing-song around the piano. Refreshments were available. The firm favourite of the British soldier, was a mug of tea, Bovril or cocoa. Postcards could be bought and writing paper was provided, free of charge, so that soldiers could keep in touch with their loved ones back home. Hut interior, possibly at Bowerham Barracks, the Regimental Depot, Lancaster. Accession Number: KO2873/07 Private Hodgson’s Reading Private William Hodgson, from Lancaster, serving with the 2nd/5th Battalion, King’s Own, recorded in his diary some of the books he read: The Way of An Eagle by Ethel M Dell The Garden of Mystery by Richard Marsh The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy White Fang by Jack London The Yellow Crayon by E Philips Oppenheim The Invisible Man by H G Wells The First Men in the Moon by H G Wells The Red Chancellor by Sir William Magnay The Man Who Knew Better by Tom Gallon The Sirdar’s Oath by Bertram Mitford Popular Army Songs It’s a Long Way to Tipperary Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag Mademoiselle from Armenetieres Keep the Home Fires Burning We’re Here Because Fred Karno’s Army We’ve Had No Beer John Brown’s Baby They Were Only Playing Leap-frog Next: Barracks Supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation and the Army Museums Ogilby Trust © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images. Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.