Museum of the Manchester Regiment

‘Life on the Move’

Warfare is constantly evolving. The massed attacks of 1914-18 were followed by Blitzkrieg, and now we have high-tech conflicts in which the enemy is subdued by shock-and-awe weaponry like cruise missiles and unmanned drones.

But one thing has remained constant for thousands of years – the infantry. The role of the infantry is at the heart of “Life on the Move”, the latest exhibition at the award-winning Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Ashton-under-Lyne, which begins on January 3, 2012.

Foot soldiers have always been at the forefront of the British army’s campaigns, from Marlborough in the early 18th century to the Napoleonic Wars and today’s operations in Afghanistan. “Life on the Move” brings to life the campaign furniture in the museum’s collection. There are beds, chairs and wash basins carried during the first and second world wars as well as personal equipment bought by officers to provide themselves with creature comforts in the field.

The experiences of the ordinary squaddy are illustrated through a selection of images highlighting life in the West Indies in the 1750s through to contemporary conditions. Today’s infantryman shares much with his forebears and this free exhibition aims to highlight some of those similarities as well as differences.

The need for food, water, shelter and washing facilities are features of ‘Life on the Move’ that will resonate with anyone that has served in the Army. So if you’re an ex-squaddy, why not visit the exhibition and share some of your experiences?

Future Exhibitions:

July - December 2012

• Sporting Success: The Story of the Regiment’s Sporting Achievements

January- June 2013

• The Home Guard: The Story of the Regiments. Home Guard Units.

Do you have any objects or information about these themes that we could use in our exhibition? If you do the curator would very much like to talk with you about your knowledge of these themes and any objects that you may have that connect the themes with the Manchester Regiment.

As you can see the July - December 2013 exhibition has yet to he decided. Have you any ideas for future exhibitions that tell a lesser-known aspect of the Manchester Regiment Story? If you do please feel free to contact the curator

Have you ever thought about mounting a special exhibition in your our meeting space(s). If you would like the Museum to mount a special exhibition for you then please contact the Curator for an informal chat about the options available to you.

Past Exhibitions:

• Come on the 63rd (October 2004 - December 2005)
• Volunteer Infantry of Ashton-under-Lyne 1859-1971 (January - December 2006)
• Who do we think we are? The Manchester Regiment Archives (January - June 2007)
• All the King’s Men: The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (July - December 2007)
• Prisoners: The Story of the Regiment’s Far East Prisoners of War 1942-1945 (January - June 2008)
• The Manchester Regiment Territorials 1914-1918 (July - December 2008)
• Life on the Veldt: The Story of the Manchester Regiment’s Fight in South Africa 1899-1902 (January - June 2009)
• The Ardwick Boys: The Story of the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion of The Manchester Regiment (July - December 2009)
• Our Friends Abroad: The Story of the Manchester Regiments Allied Units (January - December 2010)
• Cadets (January - June 2011)
• Stitch in Time: An exhibition of community needlework (June - December 2011)
  

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Museum of the Manchester Regiment Ashton Town Hall Market Place Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6DL  View local map
0161 342 2254