Numbering of the East Lancashire Regiment

[Northern Soul]

A large number of men from my area enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment in September, 1914; I have no idea why they chose that particular regiment over the more local options. However, their subsequent Service Numbers seem to be split between 5-figure ones around 132xx and 4-figure ones around 67xx (who appear to have gone into the 7th Battalion).

The 5-figure ones are straightforward enough but I'm confused by the 4-figure ones. Why is there a difference between men who enlisted in the same place at the same time. The 4-figure numbers also seem too high for TF/SR enlistments at that time so where have they originated?

Andy.

[Paul Nixon]

Hi Andy

SR numbering in the 3rd East Lancs was up to 6687 by 31st August and 6710 by 2nd September so that would at least fit the pattern you're seeing. Maybe drafts from the SR to make up the numbers in the 7th?

Paul

[Stephen Barker]

Andy

Which is your local area?

Stephen

[Northern Soul]

Hi Andy

SR numbering in the 3rd East Lancs was up to 6687 by 31st August and 6710 by 2nd September so that would at least fit the pattern you're seeing. Maybe drafts from the SR to make up the numbers in the 7th?

Paul

Thanks Paul - looks like they were SR then.

As a general point why would men wanting to join up to 'fight for Blighty' (or whatever their motivation) enlist in the Special Reserve AFTER the outbreak of war; it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to me. Was the pay different or were there other benefits?

[Northern Soul]

Andy

Which is your local area?

Stephen

South Cumbria - what used to be Furness Lancashire. The local Regiment was the King's Own so I have no idea why so many men - with no apparent connection to the East Lancs recruiting area - came to enlist in the East Lancs. They all seemed to go into either the 7th or 9th Battalions.

Andy.

[Stephen Barker]

I may be wrong, but because the King's Own and East Lancs shared Fulwood Barracks as a depot, soldiers were shifted about as they were needed on recruitment.

Approximately half of the 8th East Lancs original members who enlisted in 1914 had originally signed up for the Loyals and Manchesters!

So many regiments were served by Fulwood that recruitment must have been uneven and when one battalion required recruits, the administrators at Fulwood took the next lot of papers and alloted them to the needy unit. Must have caused a lot of upset.

I'm sure that this is the reason.

Stephen

[Northern Soul]

I may be wrong, but because the King's Own and East Lancs shared Fulwood Barracks as a depot, soldiers were shifted about as they were needed on recruitment.

Approximately half of the 8th East Lancs original members who enlisted in 1914 had originally signed up for the Loyals and Manchesters!

So many regiments were served by Fulwood that recruitment must have been uneven and when one battalion required recruits, the administrators at Fulwood took the next lot of papers and alloted them to the needy unit. Must have caused a lot of upset.

I'm sure that this is the reason.

Stephen

That sounds like a very good explantion indeed. I had no idea Fulwood was used by the King's Own - I thought they exclusively used Bowerham Barracks at Lancaster.

Thanks very much.

Best wishes.

Andy.