King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Annual Report 1995-1996

Trustees

Chairman Colonel John de Cordova OBE
Vice Chairman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Dew
Major Philip Oglethorpe TD
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hardy
Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Stopford
Major Tony Booth

Ex officio

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Flanagan MC (Regimental Secretary)
Dr Andrew White MA PhD FMA FSA (Curator)

Staff

Assistant Keeper Peter Donnelly BA AMA

An eventful year

The fiftieth anniversary of the end of World War Two has been a busy year for many and it was no exception here in Lancaster.

The Regiment and City Council sponsored events for VE Day meant a busy period.  We organised a temporary exhibition, provided stories for the local press and supplied the Vicar of Lancaster with photos for the Commemorative Order of Service.

With the main focus of Regimental events on Carlisle for VJ Day we were less busy – until, however, the Carlisle service was broadcast to the nation!  We received many calls from ex-King’s Own and their families seeking out information on wartime services.

The museum over the years gets to help many people but one particular incident is very touching.  A soldier who had not worn his medals since the war contacted us through his daughter.  We were able to provide suitable medal ribbon and a medal bar so that these could be worn on VE Day.  They were not worn at some vast military parade or glittering commemorative spectacular, but worn at home with his family and loved ones – the people who matter to him most.

Redisplay Progress

The construction work of phase one of the museum refurbishment was completed.  This then allowed for the installation of high security cases around the mezzanine floor.  Sadly delays over emergency lighting meant the gallery was not opened by the end of March 1996.  Whilst the construction work has been underway the story line of the gallery has been developed and the choice of exhibits made.

When design time is allocated to the King’s own project rapid advances should be possible.

Volunteers

Norman Rowlinson has continued with his work in developing greater access to our archives.

The acquisition of a very cheap computer has ‘computerised’ Norman and has vastly improved the museums ability to computerise documentation.

Cynthia Byrne and Betty MacDonald also became volunteers at the museum.  All of their work is focused on the uniform collection.  The pair are padding coat hangers to improve the storage conditions of the collection.

Thanks must go to the three above as well as the many others who are always keen to help the museum.

Acquisitions

KO2087         Neck Badge of the Blew and Orange. Purchased.

KO2088         10 Volumes of The War Illustrated (WW2).  Gift of Mr Riley, Blackpool.

KO2089         Books: Rifles and Pistols by J Flack; Records of the Militia From 1757, Public Record Office; For Your Freedom and Ours, Poland, Scotland and the Second World War; The Old Contemptibles; A Soldier’s History, The Story of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; British Defence Since 1945 by M Dockrill; Soldier Talk by Simon Cullen MBE; Union Jack A Scrapbook British Forces Newspapers 1939-45.  Purchased.

KO2090         Series of ‘Bystander Postcard’ World War One.

KO2091         Photographs: King’s Own 1953-54 Korea.   Gift of Mr R C Taylor, Northampton.

KO2092         Photographs: King’s Own Korea and Germany, 1953-54.  Gift of Mr N Burgess, Maghull, Merseyside.

KO2093         Photograph: King’s Own at Maymyo, Burma, 1921.  Gift of Cllr Eric Blamire, Lancaster.

KO2094         Photographs: Private Bury during National Service.  Gift of Mr Bury, Lancaster.

KO2095         Book: Agents of Empire, Anglo-Zionist Intelligence Operations 1915-1919. By Brigadier Walter Gribbon, Aaron Aaronsohm and the NILI Ring.  Edited by Anthony Verrier.  Gift of Major General Nigel Gribbon OBE.

KO2096         World War One Binoculars, used by CSM Henry Leswer of the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own.  Gift of Mr T Leswer.

KO2097         Model of King’s Own soldier in World War One.  Gift of Mr B. Holliman, Lancaster.

KO2098         British War Medal to 29467 Private G Graham, King’s Own. Gift of Sergeant W Welch, Army Careers Office, Carlisle.

KO2099         Photograph of Corporal William Herbert Nicholls and Prisoner of War Cards.  Gift of Mr Nicholls, Morecambe.

KO2100         French Coin stamped ‘To Nell from George’ and ‘G Hawitt KLR Ypres’, Gift of Mr and Mrs Stennett, Manchester.

KO2101         Certificate of Service and MID to Lance Sergeant R A Newman.  Gift of Mr Finch, Whitley Bay.

KO2102         1914-15 Star and British War Medal to Private J W Bradley.  Unknown donor via Major A J Maher, Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, Preston.

KO2103         Album and photographs relating to the King’s Own in India in the 1920s.  Gift of Mr Langdon, Brookhouse, Lancaster.

KO2104         Badges and paperwork relating to 2nd Lieutenant Stainton, 1919.  Gift of Mr Stainton (son), Hemel Hempstead.

KO2105         Paperwork and photographs relating to the 7th Battalion, King’s Own, in World War Two, and the service of Major Devonshire.  Gift of Major Devonshire, California.

KO2106         First World War Medal group, paperwork, photographs etc. relating to Sergeant A Holt of 1st/5th King’s Own.  Gift of Mr Holt (son) Morecambe.

KO2107         Memorial card to Lieutenant Sydney Towers Scott and Letter to Mrs Baxter from Mrs Scott re Lieutenant Sydney Towers Scott.  Gift of Mrs Baxter, Lancaster.

KO2108         Medal group including Queen’s South Africa Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory medal and paperwork to Sergeant A W Towndrow.

KO2109         1937 Pattern Holster for Revolver used by members of the 107th Regiment RAC.  Purchased.

KO2110         Brass Shield plaque: ‘These Colours were presented to Colonel J Plumbe-Tempest and the officers of the 1st Battalion The Royal Lancashire Militia in the Year 1816 and were placed in this chapel on 18th September 1932.  Gift of Alpha Coins and Medals, Accrington, via Mr Cliff Blood, Prestwich, Manchester.

KO2111         Selection of photographs, documents and maps and exhibitions not previously registered as part of the collection.  Various sources and donors.

KO2112         King’s Own Belt Buckle, white belt, pouch and bayonet frog.  Transferred from County and Regimental Museum, Preston (1987).

KO2113         Medal Group to General Sir W G Cameron.  Purchased with Grant Aid from the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund.

Seminars and Training Courses

External Links

Both the Regimental Museums at Lancaster and Carlisle continue to work closely together and often join in co-operative joint ventures.  These are often aimed at raising money, raising the profile of the museums, and increasing the exhibits and information we hold.

The North West Museums Service have continued to offer much valuable advice on many of our developments.

The Museum was pleased to host the Regiments ‘Cocktail Party’ on the Sunday of Remembrance Weekend.  It was really good to have so many friends along.

Enquiries

Over 540 enquiries were dealt with over the year.  Many are by letter or telephone but also from visitors whose interest is sparked by their visit.

We have been able to help ASDA Stores with a VE Day Display; assist the Town Crier of Ulverston with his new uniform; and lend out material to Lancaster Library for a World War Two display they had.

This is in addition to the family history enquiries which come at you out of the sun – hit you hard – and often go away satisfied that Mission Impossible has been totally successful!

Fund-raising

Donations to the appeal have continued, but not as many as the first year of the appeal.  The appeal is still not closed and donations are still welcome.  The major fundraising exercise of 1996/7 is being planned as a sponsored cycle ride to Paris.  More details will be sent in due course.

It is hard work to raise money to keep the work of the museum going.  We are very fortunate in having the main costs funded by the City Council!

Many of you realise how hard it is for a small charity to raise money.  A Regimental Museum also lacks the appeal of many charities.

The main good news through the year was the National Lottery grant of £62,000.

The Appeal Account has also benefited from the Building Society Interest.  However, over the year the rate has continued to fall.

Many thanks to those who have made smaller donations via the donation box in the Museum.