King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

		King's Own Royal Regiment Museum Lancaster
HOME Museum & Collections Sales Donations Events Contact Us REGIMENTAL HISTORY 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century First World War Second World War Actions & Movements Battle Honours FAMILY HISTORY Resources Further Reading PHOTO GALLERY ENQUIRIES FURTHER READING LINKS © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.		Museum Display Information The Great War 1914-1918 Eastern Europe and the Near East The 6th Battalion of the King's Own joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and went to Gallipoli. The aim of the attack on Turkey was to open a route to Russia for munitions and equipment. The campaign failed, and the British had to withdraw in December 1915. Although warmer than the Western Front, it was no holiday. The wind blew dust into every mouthful of food and water. Whilst every effort was made to keep the trenches clean but flies plagued everyone. After being directed to Mesopotamia (Iraq) the 6th Battalion took part in the force deployed against the Turks. They were present at the capture of Kut-el-Amara and Baghdad and the occupation of Kirkuk in the spring of 1918. [photo: Lancashire Bridge across the Diala River, Mesopotamia. It was here that men of the Loyal North Lancashire, East Lancashire, and King’s Own Royal Regiments successfully crossed the river on 10th March 1917. KO Neg -] Whilst in Mesopotamia the 6th Battalion enjoyed onions and green vegetables in their rations. The Field Force Canteen even sold Japanese beer! The construction of a railway eased the supply system. Watercolour drawing by John Bois. Bivouacs near Hadji Bajramli. 2nd Battalion employed on road making on the advance to the Struma Front in Jun 1916 Accession Number: KO0860/01-081 The 2nd Battalion served in Salonika after a brief period of time in France, the 9th Battalion going directly after training. In order to prevent German expansion in the east the British landed troops in Salonika, and opened another front against the Germans. Photograph: Raid on Bursuk, 25th February, 1918 – Soldier of the 2nd Battalion with captured donkeys and Bulgarian machine gun equipment after a raid in Salonika. Accession Number: KO0860/01-127 Casualties never compared to those on the Western Front, but sickness amongst the troops meant finding reinforcements was a priority. In one month alone 250 men were evacuated from Salonika with malaria. © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images. Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.