Museum of the Manchester Regiment

History

Garrison Battalions 1914 - 1920

1st Garrison Battalion The Manchester Regiment

Formed at Knowsley Park, Liverpool in September 1915 and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel H W K Bretherton, a retired Territorial Force officer. Composed of officers and men permanently unfit for active service but considered fit for garrison duty overseas. They left Prescot at 9.15pm on 24 February 1916, arriving Devonport at 10 am the following day. Sailed at 4.30pm on board Kinfauns with an escort of two destroyers. On 5 March they passed Alexandria and then on into the Suez Canal. Arrived Bombay, India on 14 March 1916. Moved to Fyzabad where they stayed until end July 1918. To Singapore arriving on 3 August 1918 until December 1919.

A reinforcement detachment left Singapore on 5 August and arrived at Hong Kong on the 9th. This detachment left Hong Kong on 3 September and sailed for Vladivostok, where they disembarked on 11 September 1918. The detachment arrived at Spasshoe in Siberia on 12 September where they were to join the 25th Garrison Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

On 27 November 1919, Colonel R Ashworth and the officers paid a visit from Singapore to Johore where they were entertained by the officers of the Johore Forces commanded by Colonel Hamid. The Regent of Johore presided and the Manchester 's were given a hearty send-off prior to their return to the UK. The Battalion returned to UK in December 1919 and was disbanded on 27 February 1920.

2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion The Manchester Regiment

Formed at Knowsley Park, Liverpool in February 1916. Served in the UK and disbanded July 1917 at Liverpool.