68TH-53RD welsh divisions trained in northampton

[BIFFO]

any one know why the 68th (2nd welsh)-53rd welsh divisions trained on Northampton race course,I think the 68th were home units sent to east Anglia,BUT why would welsh regiments train as far away from the sea as you can get. not even sheep country !!

I have a list of regiments as long as your arm all at one time or another trained here

any help would be good 

Biffo 

Edited 10 January , 2018 by BIFFO

[clive_hughes]

Biff,

The Northampton-Bedford area was the 53rd Division's allocated war station as a Home Defence force in August 1914 (maybe to be nearer the East Coast in the event of an enemy invasion?).  By the same token, there were Scottish Territorials around Huntingdon etc.  

 

Their Second Line reserves (later known as the 68th Div.) were gathered at Aberystwyth at first for training, then in 1915 moved to occupy roughly the same area after the 53rd had gone off to Gallipoli.  They remained in East Anglia thereafter.  

 

Cheers,

Clive

[BIFFO]

AGAIN Clive thanks for that,start project on 22nd should be interesting 

Biffo