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Flag flow by the 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during the First World War Period

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Sleeve Cloth Badge 55th West Lancashire Division 1916-1919 All Ranks 1/4th and 1st/5th Battalions King's Own

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Sleeve Cloth Badge 55th West Lancashire Division 1916-1919 All Ranks 1/4th and 1st/5th Battalions King's Own

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Souvenir Card of the 1/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Un-named card.
From the Westmorland Gazette of 10 May 1919
“1/5th King’s Own Souvenir Cards.
To the Editor of the Westmorland Gazette
Sir,
May I draw the attention of those interested to the Souvenir Cards of the 1/5th Battalion, The King’s Own Regt.  These cards are for presentation to all officers, N.C.O.’s and men who have served the Battalion in France between Feb 1915 and Nov 1918.  Many cards have already been given, or sent by post, but there remain a large number of former ranks of the Battalion whose present addresses are not known.  Applications giving regimental number, name, address and period of service should be sent to the following address, the envelope being endorsed ‘Souvenir Card,’ Officer Commanding, 1/5th Bn. The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) British Army of the Rhine.  Owing to various circumstances applications may not receive immediate attention, but it is particularly desired to present a copy to the relatives of the fallen as soon as possible.  I am etc.  E G Hoare, Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding 1/5th Battalion, The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment.”

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Trench map: France Sheet 36 A

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5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Dinner Time at Crag Bank Camp, 1911

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Billeting Certificate Book, 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, 1915/16

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Programme for Divisional Horse Show August 1918 55th West Lancashire Division, 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

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Christmas Card 'The Bombers Greeting 1915'

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, Territorial Force, King’s Own, Maxim Gun Section, Crag Bank Camp, Whit Week, 1911
The Maxim Gun was the work of Sir Hirman Maxim (1840-1916).  The machine gun in his hands turned from a hand-cranked curiosity to a self powered weapon.  Maxim’s workshop was in Covent Garden, London.  In 1884 he demonstrated the first automatic gun.  In 1885 the new model became the basic Maxim design.  It was a recoil-operated gun, belt fed and water cooled.
It was first used in action by a British detachment in Gambia in Nov 1887.
The weapon was adopted by the Russian, German, Belgian, Swiss and British Armies, followed by many more.
The Maxim Gun Company was set up in 1884 with Albert Vickers (of the Shipbuilding firm).  In 1892 Vickers took over the firm which became, Vickers, Sons & Maxim.  The weight of the weapon meant many were mounted on field carriages.  The Vickers Gun was a re-design of the Maxim and was used by the British army from 1912 to 1968.  It was lighter than the Maxim, high grade steel and aluminium alloys were used instead of heavy steel and bronze.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers Crag Bank Camp, Whit Week, 1911

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Sergeants Crag Bank Camp, 1911

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  The Cleaners, Crag Bank Camp, 1911

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  Church Parade, Crag Bank Camp, 1911

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  A Company Sunday Morning Choir, Crag Bank 1911

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, Territorial Force, King’s Own, Camp at Holmscales, 1911 showing tented accommodation.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, Territorial Force, King’s Own, ‘C’ Company or Storey’s of Lancaster Company, at Crag Bank Camp, 1911.  Meal time, soldiers seen with plates.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, Territorial Force, King’s Own, Cooks at the Whitsuntide Musketry Camp at Crag Bank, 1911.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  Camp 1910-1911 either Homescales or Hornby

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  Kirkham Camp 1912, Sergeant Instructor Burton, QMS Woodcock and Sergeant Wolfenden, Orderly Room.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  Major Baker and Colour Sergeant Watson, Kirkham Camp 1912
Lancaster Guardian, 10 May 1919.
Death of an Old Volunteer
One of the best known figures in Lancaster passed away suddenly on Monday, by the death of Mr Richard Watson, brush manufacturer, 72 Dallas Road.  It is interesting to note in view of recent educational developments that Mr. Watson was apprenticed to Mr Wane, brush manufacturer in King Street (the shop now occupied by Mr. Brockbank) at the age of 9.  He had worked no less than 71 years, first under Mr Wane, then under Messrs. Marsden, father and son, successors in New Street, and since June 1896 he had been proprietor of the business, which, 17 years ago was transferred to Church Street, the site being required by the Co-operative Society.
Mr Watson married on 25 Dec 1862 Miss Hannah Patterson, second daughter of Mr William Patterson, cabinet maker, shed died in 1899.  Mr Watson was summoned from the Isle of Man where he was in training with the Volunteers, and found his wife dead, and the same day his shop caught fire, so misfortune did not come singly.
Of their family one son and three daughters (Mrs Postlethwaite, Mrs C Riley and Mrs F Atkinson who is in America) survive.
The death of his daughter, Jessie, last July was a great blow to him as she assisted in the business.
He was working till Saturday, and called at the shop on Sunday for his letters. Heart trouble caused the end.
Mr Watson will be remembered chiefly for his remarkable career as a Volunteer.  He joined the Lancaster Corps in 1863 when Mr Henry Gregson was Captain.  The Drill Hall was then in Brewery Lane in premises now belonging to Messrs Yates and Jackson. His enthusiasm for Volunteering was unique, being made Sergeant four years later.  He rose to the rank of Colour Sergeant and president of the Sergeants Mess.  The Lancaster Volunteers drilled subsequently in the Exchange Hall, then the Assembly room, and then the Drill Hall in Phoenix Street was built about 25 years ago (1894).
Colour Sergeant Watson was a keen marksman, and won many prizes, including the Borough Challenge Cup.  He was most exemplary in his attendance at drill, and was awarded the Battalion Silver Medal for 21 years continuous service in Sep 1886, while in Mar 1895 he was decorated with the Queen’s Medal for over 30 years service as a Volunteer, along with the late Drum Major Lamb.  In Jul 1919, Colour Sergeant Watson received from Dr. Lamport an oak barometer was a recognition of services rendered to the St. John Ambulance Brigade, by granting the free use of the Assembly rooms, of which he was a tenant for many years.
Mr Watson was proud of his record for attending Volunteer Camps, which was unsurpassed. In 1895 he had been to 26 camps, and had doubled this in 1914, when he went to Kirkby Lonsdale, but the outbreak of the war caused the camp to be struck the second day.  He went to visit the 1/5 King’s Own Territorials before they left for France, and often expressed regret that he could not go with them.
It was only fitting that a man with such a fine service record should be interred with Military Honours.  The funeral took place on Thursday at Lancaster Cemetery.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment  Officers Kirkham Camp 1912

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Captain Cadman and Band NCOs Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Captain Rhodes, Adjutant, Kirkham Camp 1912

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.  Officers, Kirkham Camp, 1912

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.  QMS Woodcock, Lieutenant Hodgkinson and Sergeant Instructor Burton, Holmescales Camp, 1911

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Marching to Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: Lieutenant Preston, 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, 1913. Photograph by Johnson of Lancaster.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers on horseback and others Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Tents at Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Marching to Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers at Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Band at Caerwys 1909

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Denbigh Camp, 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers at Crag Bank 1913, Whit 1913

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.  Sergeants at Crag Bank Camp Whit 1913, including Colour Sergeant Richard Watson seated right.
Lancaster Guardian, 10 May 1919.
Death of an Old Volunteer
One of the best known figures in Lancaster passed away suddenly on Monday, by the death of Mr Richard Watson, brush manufacturer, 72 Dallas Road.  It is interesting to note in view of recent educational developments that Mr. Watson was apprenticed to Mr Wane, brush manufacturer in King Street (the shop now occupied by Mr. Brockbank) at the age of 9.  He had worked no less than 71 years, first under Mr Wane, then under Messrs. Marsden, father and son, successors in New Street, and since June 1896 he had been proprietor of the business, which, 17 years ago was transferred to Church Street, the site being required by the Co-operative Society.
Mr Watson married on 25 Dec 1862 Miss Hannah Patterson, second daughter of Mr William Patterson, cabinet maker, shed died in 1899.  Mr Watson was summoned from the Isle of Man where he was in training with the Volunteers, and found his wife dead, and the same day his shop caught fire, so misfortune did not come singly.
Of their family one son and three daughters (Mrs Postlethwaite, Mrs C Riley and Mrs F Atkinson who is in America) survive.
The death of his daughter, Jessie, last July was a great blow to him as she assisted in the business.
He was working till Saturday, and called at the shop on Sunday for his letters. Heart trouble caused the end.
Mr Watson will be remembered chiefly for his remarkable career as a Volunteer.  He joined the Lancaster Corps in 1863 when Mr Henry Gregson was Captain.  The Drill Hall was then in Brewery Lane in premises now belonging to Messrs Yates and Jackson. His enthusiasm for Volunteering was unique, being made Sergeant four years later.  He rose to the rank of Colour Sergeant and president of the Sergeants Mess.  The Lancaster Volunteers drilled subsequently in the Exchange Hall, then the Assembly room, and then the Drill Hall in Phoenix Street was built about 25 years ago (1894).
Colour Sergeant Watson was a keen marksman, and won many prizes, including the Borough Challenge Cup.  He was most exemplary in his attendance at drill, and was awarded the Battalion Silver Medal for 21 years continuous service in Sep 1886, while in Mar 1895 he was decorated with the Queen’s Medal for over 30 years service as a Volunteer, along with the late Drum Major Lamb.  In Jul 1919, Colour Sergeant Watson received from Dr. Lamport an oak barometer was a recognition of services rendered to the St. John Ambulance Brigade, by granting the free use of the Assembly rooms, of which he was a tenant for many years.
Mr Watson was proud of his record for attending Volunteer Camps, which was unsurpassed. In 1895 he had been to 26 camps, and had doubled this in 1914, when he went to Kirkby Lonsdale, but the outbreak of the war caused the camp to be struck the second day.  He went to visit the 1/5 King’s Own Territorials before they left for France, and often expressed regret that he could not go with them.
It was only fitting that a man with such a fine service record should be interred with Military Honours.  The funeral took place on Thursday at Lancaster Cemetery.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Officers at Crag Bank Camp, Whit 1913

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5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Sergeants at Denbigh, 1913

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Officers at Sevenoaks, 1914 in the grounds of St. Martins, The Officers Mess

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment First Inoculations Dr. George and Sergeant Clarkson

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment The Barrow Motor Lorry at Didcot needed for drawing rations from Abingdon and Oxford.  1914.

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Didcot 1914 Training the ‘200’ ‘The Gallants’

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Sevenoaks 1914 Officer Group

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Corn Exchange Didcot 1914

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Officers at Sevenoaks 1914

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Sergeants at Sevenoaks 1914 including Company Sergeant Major Ralph

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Photograph: Lieutenant (later Captain) Albert Hodgkinson, Quartermaster, 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.  Photographed at Hawthorn Lodge, Sevenoaks, 1914. 
Photograph by W Johnston, 4 Great John Street, Lancaster.  Number 72.

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Officers at Camp Whit Week 1914

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Major Cadman

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Officers at Camp Whit Week 1914

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Officers in the grounds of St. Martins, the Officers Mess, including all senior officers of the battalion

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment F Company at Sevenoaks 1914

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Photograph: 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Corporals at Poperinghe 1917 including A Steele, Dixon and two others

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Major Bates at Caerwys Camp 1909

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Reading the news at Camp, Caerwys Camp, 1909

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on Parade, Caerwys Camp, 1909

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Officers Mess at Hornby Camp, 1910

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Photograph: 5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment A Company on Parade at Hornby Camp, 1910