1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

It would appear that the 1st Bn ( or some members of it) was posted to India on 22/Feb 1927 until 10 March 1932, thence to China from 12 March 1932 until 27 March 1933.

Service records showed that they were posted to the Indian Army, whilst in China they were posted to the British Army.

My quetion is India was under British Rule until 1947 did it have its own Army? and if so why would a British Regiment come under its control, can anyone assist me?.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

"Indian Army" is the short form of "British Indian Army". My grandad served in the Indian Army in WWl. After being wounded on the Western Front, he was lucky enough to be trained as an Military Policeman and transferred to the Indian Army. Weird, eh. If it weren't for this, I might not be taking up space on this planet:eek:

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

There were battalions of Indians, just like battalions of Ghurka's, but they were led by British Officers & N.C.O's, several units of the Indian army fought in France in WW1, they had their own catering facilities & cooks etc.
Retlaw.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

There's stuff on t'telly tonight - Lord Bragg's "Reel History of Britain" 6.30pm, BBC2 - which will be showing film held at Fullwood Barracks, HQ, East/Queens Lancs. I believe Accy Pals will also be on there.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

Just watch It T very very good program, was basically centred on Accy Pals

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

I must thank all of you who replied to my enquiry, all your answers have given me food for thought. My father served in the Regiment as did I. I tried to get info from the Museum at Fulwood but without success.

I have found that "17th Infantry - The Loyal Rregiment" was also part of the British Indian Army in and around 1922,, so perhaps the East Lancs were attached to them seeing that both shared the Depot at Fulwood Barracks, so back I go to my search

Once again thanks please keep the info coming.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

I'm sure this will be on here already (sorry Retlaw), but I'd never seen it before, and thought others might not have either.

First part of film shows Accy Pals leaving Salisbury Plain for active service, in 1915.

Second part, Accy Pals visit to Accrington, August 1st, 1915.

ACCRINGTON PALS BATTALION, 1915 [Main] | Imperial War Museums

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

Sad to think how many of them must have died...

The odd scene merits re-watching - the group smiling in the car at the end.

Before that a woman (nurse) dressed in white carrying a child perhaps -may just be my fanciful imagination... Late now, will watch again tomorrow and see.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

Ta mate never seen that before, out of interest in the second part, wonder which road they were marching into accy on?:confused:

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

Was thinking just the same thing -just that it's too late for me -should be in bed already!:)

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

That film of the Pals leaving Salisbury Plain in 1915, was done specially for the people back in Accrington,
It was actually made on the 10th Dec, trouble was the officers had handed all their maps in, as preparation for leaving, so a three mile march turned into 12 miles, they got lost. When the Pals really left for Egwypt, it was in the middle of the night Dec 19th 1915.
The other film, I have a copy on DVD, was able to freeze frame it, and identify several of the Pals as they marched up from the Redcap
Retlaw.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

Very interesting.
Perhaps retlaw can tell us-
Were all those men in the Pals? So many of them, can't have been many young men left in Accrington! How many came back?
Were the men leading the march on Salisbury Plain carrying large axes? If so why?
They were wearing 'pith helmets' weren't they? Did they only wear tin helmets on the front line?
Would be interesting to know-I'm sure retlaw can help.

Re: 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment
 

A battalion consists of 1000 men, each consisting of 4 companies, one of the companies consists of Pioneers (the ones carring axes), Signallers & Runners, Stretcher bearers, Cooks, Muleteers, Saddlers & boot makers, Medical section, Stores, Water Men, Wheelwrights Joiners, Cold Shoers, and reach me fetch me carriers.
They were wearing pith helmets because they were going to Egwypt.
During WW1 over 5000 men from Accrington alone, served in the colours from Aug 1914 to 1919. At the outbreak of the war there were already men from Accrington serving in the Army & Navy.
Retlaw.