King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

First World War

12th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

Conscription (compulsory military service) was introduced in the Military Service Act of January 1916.  Additional draft finding units were authorised of which the 12th (Service) Battalion of the King's Own was raised in February 1916.  The 12th (Service) Battalion became the 76th Training Reserve Battalion later in 1916.

In 1915 the Home Service personnel of the 2nd/4th King's Own and 2nd/5th King's Own were transferred to the 41st Provisional (Home Service) Battalion.  In about January or February 1917 the Home Service Battalions reverted to infantry regiments.  The 41st (Home Service) Provisional Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J H Barber, now became the 12th (Territorial Force) Battalion of the King's Own.

'Medical Officers Staff, 12th King's Own.'  Lance Corporal Thomas Edward Fisher, from Poulton-le-Fylde, is pictured seated middle.
Accession Number KO2618/01

Captain Parker's funeral, Wednesday 4th April 1917, outside The Chapel public house, on Market Hill, Coggeshall, Essex.  Captain Allan Parker had died on 1st April, and is shown as serving with the 12th Battalion of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.  His coffin, it is assumed, was being taken to Kelvedon, the nearest railway station, for transportation to St. John's Churchyard, Keswick.
Image supplied by Coggeshall Museum, www.coggeshallmuseum.org.uk
Accession Number: KO2982/01

Officers of the 12th Battalion, 1917, including Captain Charles Arthur Mansley Jones who was adjutant.  He is not identified in the photograph.
Accession Number KO1431/06

Men of 'D' Company of the 12th Battalion, 1917 at an unknown location, but certainly in the United Kingdom.
Accession Number KO1431/07 and KO 1431/08

Three Sergeants, Instructors of Musketry, identified as at Prees Heath Camp, Whitchurch, 3rd February 1917.  Likely with the 12th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Accession Number: KO2873/43

Church Parade of the 12th Battalion, Sunday 9th September, 1917.  At an unknown camp in the United Kingdom.
Accession Number KO2046/34

Church Parade of the 12th Battalion, Sunday 9th September, 1917.
Accession Number KO2046/35