| THE GREAT WAR, 1914-18 |
| No regiment in any army in the world played a finer part
than did the Lancashire Fusiliers. Over thirty battalions of the regiment were
enrolled and engaged in the various theatres of war; and the magnificent efforts
they put forth are shown by the number of officers and men who earned distinctions.
No less than 17 members of the L.F. were awarded the supreme and coveted mark of
honour, the Victoria Cross, "For Valour," the highest decoration any soldier can
earn. All, whether Regular, Territorial, or Service Soldier, proved by their daring
and gallantry that the motto, " Omnia Audax" had not been bestowed improperly upon the regiment.
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| The 2nd Battalion (then stationed in Dover) formed part of
Britain's "Contemptible" little army; and was one of the first engaged in the
world struggle in France. It took its part in the historic Battle and Retreat
from Mons, and in the severe fighting at Le Cateaux, the Aisne, and Ypres.
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| LANCASHIRE LANDING is a name which will live for ever in
military annals. In Gallipoli, in face of an entrenched Turkish army, the 1st
Battn. (covered only by fire from H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth) landed from open boats,
at Helles. General Sir Ian Hamilton said of them:- "It is my firm conviction that
no finer feat of arms has ever been achieved either by the British or any other soldier."
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| The various battalions were engaged on all battle fronts
taking part in due order in the battles at the Somme, Hindenburg Line, Beaumont
Hamel, Ginchy, Thiepval, Arras, Vimy Ridge, Paschendale Ridge, and Cambrai, in France;
also in Macedonia, and near the Suez Canal. It can be said, without fear of contradiction,
that wherever the fighting was hot and severe there could be found the Lancashire Fusiliers.
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| After the conclusion of hostilities, the service battalions
were gradually demobilised; and the Fusiliers' establishments now consist of the
1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Battalions. The 1st and 2nd are the Regular Battalions,
the remainder are Territorials. The 1st Battalion is quartered at Dover, and commanded
by Lt.-Col. A. H. Spooner, C.M.G., D.S.O. (a former Lancashire County Cricketer) ;
the 2nd Battalion is in Madras (India), under the command of Lt.-Col. W. J. Woodcock, D.S.O.
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| Major T. Slingsby, M.C., is in charge of the Wellington Barracks
Depot, and Lt.-Col. C. E. Hartley, is the commanding officer of the 5th Battalion
(Territorials), at the Bury Drill Hall.
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| Another Bury hero, Rifleman G. Peachment, King's Royal Rifles,
also gained the great merit "V.C.," but gave his life in the earning of it. Private
(now Ex-Sergeant) J. Hutchinson, V.C., 2nd 5th Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers may often
be seen about the town.
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