8th ( irish ) Battalion
king's liverpool regiment
Whilst the official
date for the formation of this corps is given as 25th April 1860, it is apparent
that positive steps had been taken in Liverpool to enable the city to be among the foremost in the new Volunteer Movement. As early as 1859 we hear that a Captain Bousfield had organised a parade with band through the streets of Liverpool which did much to stimulate recruiting:
In connection with the Volunteer Movement in Liverpool, it may be stated
that the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board yesterday week gave permission to their employees to enrol themselves in the various Corps now forming. The members of No1 Company, Captain Bousfield, assembled at their barracks on Saturday afternoon and whence they marched through the town to the Exchange, accompanied by their excellent band. They excited great interest along the whole line of the march, and at arriving at the Exchange
the excitement was intense. Their soldierly appearance was highly applauded, and the band striking up the National Anthem was the signal for a loud outburst of enthusiasm .
that the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board yesterday week gave permission to their employees to enrol themselves in the various Corps now forming. The members of No1 Company, Captain Bousfield, assembled at their barracks on Saturday afternoon and whence they marched through the town to the Exchange, accompanied by their excellent band. They excited great interest along the whole line of the march, and at arriving at the Exchange
the excitement was intense. Their soldierly appearance was highly applauded, and the band striking up the National Anthem was the signal for a loud outburst of enthusiasm .
Liverpool's large Irish community formed the 64th Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps on the 25th April 1860, one of many volunteer corps raised in Lancashire in response to the heightened tension with France. The Liverpool Irish became a volunteer ( later territorial ) battalion of the King's ( Liverpool Regiment ) in July 1881. As such it fought in the Second Boer War and the First World War, sustaining thousands of casualties in numerous battles that prominently included Givenchy, Guillemont, Third Ypres, and the Hundred Days Offensive. Disbanded in 1922, the Liverpool Irish reformed before the Second World War and constituted the nucleus of the 7th Beach Group that landed at Juno beach on the 6th June 1944. Irish heritage was asserted in the traditions and uniform of The Liverpool Irish. Once adopting a uniform similar i appearance to the Royal Irish Rifles. The Liverpool Irish eventually wore the Caubeen headress with red and blue hackle; the attire of pipers the battalion maintained on its strength included the saffron kilt and shawl. While the battalion derived pride from its Irish identity, some including the 17th Earl of Derby, associated the Irish status with indiscipline and disobedience, which the Liverpool Irish gained a reputation for. ( the same was said about the Australians yet they were brilliant fighters )
Before writing about the history of the Liverpool Irish i think it would be an idea to give an insight into the creation and structure of the Volunter Force.
the volunteer force
The Volunteer Force was a citizen army of part-time rifle, artillery and engineer corps created as a popular movement in 1859. Originally highly autonomous, the units of volunteers became increasingly integrated with the British Army, before forming part of the Territorial Force in 1908. Most of the regiments of the present Territorial Army are directly descended from the Volunteer Force Units.
Following the Crimean War, it was painfully clear to the War Office that, with half of the British Army dispositioned around the Empire on garrison duty, it had insufficient forces available to quickly compose and despatch as an effective expeditionary force to a new area of conflict, unless it was to reduce the British Isles' own defences. During the Crimean War, the War Office had been forced to send Militia and Yeomanry to make up the shortfall in regular soldiers. The situation had been complictaed by the fact that both auxiliary forces were under the control of the Home Office.
Tensions rose between the United Kingdom and France following an assassination attempt on Emperor Napoleon III on January 1858. It emerged that the would-be assassin, Felice Orsini had travelled to England to have the bombs used in the attack manufactured. The perceived threat of invasion by the larger French Army was such that even without sending a third of the army to another Crimea, Britain's military defences had already been stretched invitingly thin. On April 29th, 1859, war broke out between France and the Austrian Empire and there were fears that Britain might be caught up in a wider European conflict.
Following the Crimean War, it was painfully clear to the War Office that, with half of the British Army dispositioned around the Empire on garrison duty, it had insufficient forces available to quickly compose and despatch as an effective expeditionary force to a new area of conflict, unless it was to reduce the British Isles' own defences. During the Crimean War, the War Office had been forced to send Militia and Yeomanry to make up the shortfall in regular soldiers. The situation had been complictaed by the fact that both auxiliary forces were under the control of the Home Office.
Tensions rose between the United Kingdom and France following an assassination attempt on Emperor Napoleon III on January 1858. It emerged that the would-be assassin, Felice Orsini had travelled to England to have the bombs used in the attack manufactured. The perceived threat of invasion by the larger French Army was such that even without sending a third of the army to another Crimea, Britain's military defences had already been stretched invitingly thin. On April 29th, 1859, war broke out between France and the Austrian Empire and there were fears that Britain might be caught up in a wider European conflict.
Left, Emperor Napoleon III . Above, Felice Orsini who attempted to assassinate the Emperor. His failed assassination attempt led to his execution on the Guillotine on the 13th March 1858.
creation of the volunteer force
On May 12th, 1859, the Secretary of State for War, Jonathan Peel issued a circular letter to Lieutenants of counties in England, Wales and Scotland, authorising the formation of volunteer rifles corps ( VCR, also known as Corps of Rifle Volunteers and Rifle Volunteer Corps ) and of artillery corps in defended coastal towns. Volunteer Corps were to be raised under the provisions of the Volunteer Act 1804, which had been used to form local defence forces during the Napoleonic Wars. Alfred Tennyson captured the spirit of the time by publishing his poem ' Rifleman Form ' in the Times newspaper on 9th May 1859. Many Communities had rifle clubs for the enjoyment of shooting.
Corps were only to be formed on the recommendation of the County's Lord Lieutenant.
Officers were to hold their commissions from the Lord Lieutenant.
Members of the corps were to swear an oath of allegiance before a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant or commissioned officer of the corps.
The force was liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion arising in either of these emergencies.
While under arms volunteers were suject to military law and were entitled to be billeted and to receive regular pay.
Members were not permitted to quit the force during actual military service, and at other times had to give 14 days notice before being permitted to leave the corps.
Members were to be returned as " effective " if they had attended eight days drill and exercise in four months or 24 days within a year.
The members of the corps were to provide their own arms and equipment, and were to defray all costs except when assembled for actual service.
Volunteers were also permitted to choose the design of their uniform, subject to the Lord Lieutenant's approval.
Although volunteers were to pay for their own firearms, they were to be provided under the Superintendence of the War office, so as to ensure uniformity of gauge.
The number of officers and private men in each county and corps was to be settled by the War Office, based on the Lieutenants recommendation.
Corps were only to be formed on the recommendation of the County's Lord Lieutenant.
Officers were to hold their commissions from the Lord Lieutenant.
Members of the corps were to swear an oath of allegiance before a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant or commissioned officer of the corps.
The force was liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion arising in either of these emergencies.
While under arms volunteers were suject to military law and were entitled to be billeted and to receive regular pay.
Members were not permitted to quit the force during actual military service, and at other times had to give 14 days notice before being permitted to leave the corps.
Members were to be returned as " effective " if they had attended eight days drill and exercise in four months or 24 days within a year.
The members of the corps were to provide their own arms and equipment, and were to defray all costs except when assembled for actual service.
Volunteers were also permitted to choose the design of their uniform, subject to the Lord Lieutenant's approval.
Although volunteers were to pay for their own firearms, they were to be provided under the Superintendence of the War office, so as to ensure uniformity of gauge.
The number of officers and private men in each county and corps was to be settled by the War Office, based on the Lieutenants recommendation.
