King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

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Lancaster and The King's Own go to War.

Generously supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation.

August 1914 to January 1915

2nd Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

When war was declared on 4th August the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment was stationed in India, based at Lebong, Darjeeling with one company detachment at Barrackpore, near Calcutta.

At the start of the war, the battalion was destined to remain in India as part of the permanent garrison. Its chances of seeing active service were very small.

Several officers tried to get transferred to the 1st Battalion or applied to be attached to the force which was being sent from India to British East Africa, but all applications failed. However, in October 1914, news came that the battalion was to proceed to Bombay en route for England. The crowds in Darjeeling waved farewell to the soldiers as they marched away and the soldiers through their regimental canes to the waving people. Families were to be left behind in Lebong pending further orders.

From Bombay the battalion embarked on the “Kenilworth Castle”, one of a convoy of twenty-three transports which left on 19th November under the escort of the French cruiser “Duplex”.

The voyage home was uneventful and slow, reaching Plymouth on 22nd December, by which time everyone was “thoroughly fed up” and very glad to get on shore.

The battalion was sent to Winchester and marched out to Hursley Park to join the 83rd Brigade of the 28th Division which was being formed there.

The camp was ankle deep in mud, which made the task of mobilisation very difficult. It was decided to move the whole division into billets in Winchester.

Christmas Day was spent in camp, and despite the weather, it was reported that “everyone enjoyed a very cheery day”.

On New Year’s Day the battalion marched into Winchester and was billeted at the college, with officers and men distributed in the various dormitories and class rooms.

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel John Bois record:
“One day in a corner of the college grounds I came across a curious sight. Captain Money, the President of the Mess Committee, and Sergeant Brockman, the Officers Mess Sergeant, with a pail of a strong solution of potassium permanganate and two brooms were painting the white mess pony a dull khaki, the pony was objecting strongly to this treatment and finally put an end to the operation by kicking over the bucket.”

On the 12th January, His Majesty the King, accompanied by Lord Kitchener inspected the division on Farley Downs and three days later the battalion left Winchester for Southampton and embarked on the S.S. Novian for Le Havre and the Western Front.

The 2nd Battalion served on the Western Front until the autumn of 1915 when, along with the rest of the 28th Division, they were relocated to Salonika. Here they remained until the end of hostilities with Bulgaria in September 1918.

Roll of Honour

2nd Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

17th August 1914
Private Herbert Reginald Salisbury, 10208, Died

19th September 1914
Private Arthur Knowles, 9371, Died

13th December 1914
Private Alfred Appleton, 9957, Died
Landed sick at Malta.

15th December 1914
Private Charles Bellamy, 10657, Died
Landed sick at Malta.

Photograph:  Leaving Darjeeling, Oct 1914 - marching troops
Accession Number: KO0860/01-011

Photograph: Leaving Darjeeling, Oct 1914 - marching troops
Accession Number: KO0860/01-012

Photograph: Leaving Darjeeling, Oct 1914 - marching troops
Accession Number: KO0860/01-013

Photograph: Leaving Darjeeling, Oct 1914 - marching troops
Accession Number: KO0860/01-014

The crowds in Darjeeling waved farewell to the soldiers as they marched away and the soldiers through their regimental canes to the waving people.

Photograph: Leaving Darjeeling, Oct 1914 - Lord Carmichael saying good-bye to Lieutenant Colonel Martin.
Accession Number: KO0860/01-015

Enlargement of Lord Carmichael and Lieutenant Colonel Martin.
Accession Number: KO0860/01-015

A last view of Bombay, India, from on board the Kenilworth Castle.
Accession Number: KO0860/01-16

Photograph: Homeward Bound Nov 1914 view of Suez Canal from Kenilworth Castle
Accession Number: KO0860/01-018

Photograph: Homeward Bound Nov 1914 view of Suez Canal from Kenilworth Castle
Accession Number: KO0860/01-019

The French battle cruiser ‘Duplex’ which provided an escort to Suea.
Accession Number: KO0860/01-17

Battalion Routine Orders of 26th October 1914 listing a number of senior non-commissioned officers who were to be sent back home to assist with the training of the 'new army'. Sergeants Kirby, Lockley and Turner all joined the 11th (Bantam) Battalion and went overseas as Company Sergeant Majors in June 1916. All three survived the war, Kirby died as a Warrant Officer Class 2 in March 1919; Lockley was commissioned; and Turner finished his service as a Regimental Sergeant Major.
Accession Number: KO1617/08

Order of service for 6th September 1914, a day of special prayer for the Empire. Company Sergeant Major Ernest Alldis, number 8498, of the 2nd Battalion attended this service and sent the booklet home to Willow Lane, Lancaster. CSM Alldis went to the Western Front on 15th January 1915 and died of wounds on 20th February 1915.
Accession Number: KO1617/06

The King’s message to the 28th Division:

I was very glad to have been able to inspect the 28th Division, and I wish to express my entire satisfaction with the general appearance of the Troops.
In spite of the bad weather and of the difficulties attending concentration and training, it is evident to me that no time has been lost in establishing between the various units of this recently formed Division that esprit de corps which counts for so much on the field of battle.
I have been unable to inspect you in the field, but from all I saw to-day I have carried away the impression that a resolute spirit pervades all ranks to join their comrades at the front in maintaining the glorious traditions of my Army.
Farewell my Soldiers. May God bless you and protect you.
12th January, 1915
Accession Number: KO2590/214

 

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.