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Museum of the Manchester Regiment

The Ardwick Boys: The Story of the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion of The Manchester Regiment

Sergeant of the Manchester Regiment re-enactment group admiring the new exhibitionThe Museum of the Manchester Regiment has mounted a special exhibition running from 6 July until 12 December 2009.

The exhibition traces, through photographs and objects, the long and proud history of the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion of the Manchester regiment, from 1859. Among the objects on display for the first time is the uniform worn by Major Tony Dowd when he attended the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953:

“I was due to sit my final exams in June 1953. I was given the chance to carry the Regimental Colour at the Coronation and my principal was not pleased when I told him that I would be deferring my exams for six months. It rained on Coronation Day and the colour party duties lay in lining the route of the procession for many hours outside the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane. It was a wonderful day that I shall never forget."

Photograph of 8th Army ExhibitionAlso on display for the first time is the uniform of the late Colonel Philip Denys Wilson:

“My father’s association with the Regiment was life long, and I feel it wouldn’t be overstating the case to say he probably loved it as much as he did his own family - and his love for us was deep indeed. When he died in 2001 we put out the usual “family flowers only” message….we were somewhat bemused to find a beautiful wreath sent by the Regiment.

Then the truth dawned on us - amongst soldiers the Regiment is family!”

On Tuesday 6th October 2009 Captain Robert Bonner will be giving a free talk in the Museum, from 7:15pm. Why not come along, listen and ask some questions.

The exhibition coincides with a new watershed history, soon to be released, tracing the history of the Ardwick Boys and their experiences.

Photograph of 8th Army ExhibitionA family-friendly trail around the Museum has also been created linking the special exhibition with artefacts already on display which tell the history of the Ardwick Boys.

This special exhibition has been produced in partnership with Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre.

If you are interested in the history of the Ardwick Boys why not download our Word Game 26.38 KB PDF File and try and find the words linked to the Lads.