| MILITARY NOTES |
| THE martial history of the town cannot be lightly passed by.
Mention has already been made of the Loyal Volunteers, formed in 1798 ; but this
was only the commencement of a brilliant military story. The town of Bury will
for ever be connected with the great deeds performed by the Lancashire Fusiliers.
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| The year 1845 saw the building of the Wellington Barracks the
first occupants being the 56th Regiment of Foot. The Militia Barracks were opened
in 1859, on May 1st. These latter buildings have been closed since the Militia
Battalions were disbanded, but the first named now belongs to and is the Depot of
the Lancashire Fusiliers. Originally known as the Devonshire Regiment, and the
XXth Foot, they gained battle honours in the Wars of the Austrian Succession, the
Seven Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Peninsular War, theCrimean War, and
the Indian Mutiny. It greatly distinguished itself at Minden, Aug. 1st 1759, and
received the honour of the "Laurel Wreath." For meritorious service in Egypt, in
1801 the regiment was granted the honour of bearing the "Sphinx" and "Egypt" upon
its colours. About 1750, this regiment was commanded by Colonel James Wolfe, the
victor at Quebec and conqueror of Canada. The sash worn by him during the battle
is now a treasured relic preserved in the Officers' Mess of the 1st Battalion.
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| The 2nd Battalion was formed in 1858, and saw ;L long period
of foreign service in India and Japan, and served with Sir Herbert Kitchener in
the Soudan from 1898 to the close of the campaign. It returned to England in
September, 1899, and in December was sent to take its part in the South African
struggle, gaining further honours at Spion Kop and the relief of Ladysmith.
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| The volunteer movement began in 1859, when they were styled
the 8th Lanc. Rifle Volunteers. Their uniform was then a deep-gray tunic and trousers,
with black braid facings, black shiny leather belts, pouches, and valises, a peaked
hat of gray, in shape somewhat resembling those worn by present-day postmen, and
they were armed with the Snider rifle and a long bayonet. In 1881 they became the
1st V.B.L.F. (1St Volunteer Battn. Lancashire Fusiliers), and the uniform was now
scarlet tunic, blue trousers, whitened leather belts and pouches, black valises,
with overcoats and leggings.
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| The 1st V.B.L.F. sent three companies of 100 men each for
active service during the Boer War, as reinforcements to the regular 2nd Battalion.
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| In 1908, the various volunteer brigades were remodelled on
a Territorial basis, and the "locals" then received and still retain the title
of the 5th Lanc. Fusiliers. They are no longer Volunteers, but Territorials.
The Drill Hall, in Castle Street, is styled the Castle Armoury, because it was
built on part of the original Castle site, and some of the larger foundation
stones of the Castle, which were discovered in 1865, were used in the masonry
of the massive doorway of the Armoury. The Drill Hall was erected in 1869, but
in 1906 great alterations took place, and the premises were more than doubled
in space, by the addition of the old Steam Tramway Companies' premises. The new
building was opened on November 23rd, 1907, by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught.
The main hall has the largest floor space of any room in the town, and is capable
of seating about 8,000 persons.
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