Westmorland Militia

[jillruss]

Can anyone tell me a bit about this - or point me at a website? (I tried googling but I'm hopeless!  )

I've just received a copy of my ancestor's 1798 marriage banns and he is described as a corporal in the Westmorland Militia.

Would he have volunteered or have been drafted? Is it likely that he actually fought or was it a peacetime thing?

I'm also wondering if this might explain how he met his wife - she was from Clifton but he was from Kendal. Perhaps there was a garrison near Clifton?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Jill