Lancashire Fusiliers

Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1

The Regiment raised thirty battalions for World War I and was involved in every campaign of the war. The 1st Battalion was awarded six Victoria Crosses at the Helles landings at Gallipoli in 1915. The regiment was also involved in actions on the Western Front including the Battle of the Somme were eleven battalions of the regiment were engaged including; three Pals battalions (The Salford Pals) and three Bantam battalions. From 1915 to October 1916 the famous author J. R. R. Tolkien also served in this regiment until he contracted ‘trench fever’ during the Battle of the Somme.

1st Battalion 04.08.1914 Stationed at Karachi, India then moved to Aden, Yemen. Dec 1914 Embarked for England arriving at Avonmouth in 02.01.1915 and moved to Nuneaton to join the 86th Brigade of the 29th Division. 16.03.1915 Embarked for Gallipoli via Alexandria and Mudros. 25.04.1915 Landed at Gallipoli and the Division engaged in actions at the Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights on the Gallipoli Peninsula. 02.01.1916 Evacuated to Egypt due to the severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather. Mar 1916 Embarked for France landing at Marseilles on the 29.03.1916 and the Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front including; The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. During 1917 The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Second and Third Battles of the Scarpe, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle, The Battle of Cambrai. During 1918 The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bailleul, The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63, The Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai. 11.11.1918 Ended the war in Belgium, Moen S.E. of Courtrai.