1st Lancaster Vols.

[SydneyDiana]

Does anyone know where I can find information on the 1st Lancaster Vols. from the early 1860's to mid 1870's?
or put me in touch with a military group who may have info from that far back?
My gggrandfather, Heywood Chapman, was involved for 13 years prior to his move to NZ. He then joined the Permanent Militia in Auckland where his personnel records indicate he was part of the 1st Lancaster Vols. (which I presume means volunteers???).
Diana

[andrewalston]

Military records seem to be mostly lodged at the National Archives - after all the regiment was often far from the place mentioned in their title. One of my relatives joined the Staffordshire Volunteers (in Manchester), and their regimental history shows them first visiting Staffordshire after they merged with the South Staffs Regiment. Their main depot was in Co. Cork.

Try posting a query on the Armed Forces section. There are many very knowledgable people who will know where to look and what might be found there.

[km1971]

Hi Diana

In the early 1850s a lot of private shooting and drill clubs started up – basically boy scouts for big men using real guns. In 1859 there was a revival of the volunteers in Britain and one or more clubs in Liverpool became the 1st Lancashire Rifle Volunteers. Its headquarters was at 65 St Anne Street, which is off Islington, according to the 1873 Directory.

This is the NA guide for researching the Volunteers - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=147 .It suggests you contact the local records office, in this case it would be Liverpool Record Office. To add to the confusion there was also the 1st Lancashire Engineer Volunteers and the 2nd Lancashire Artillery Volunteers, both based in Liverpool around the same time.

Ken