Military associations with Calderdale
Early illustrations of Halifax show soldiers
in the streets dressed in their scarlet coats and white or buff
breeches and wearing cocked hats. Halifax raised the 33rd Regiment
of the Line (the Haver Cake Lads) in 1793, and in 1803 formed
a regiment of Volunteers. In 1812 the Local Militia was formed,
and the Morley and Abbrigg Yeomanry also covered the Halifax
district. The 6th West York Militia was raised in 1854, and in
1871 the Artillery Corps was formed.
Sir Henry Edwards (1812-86) was one of the
prominent Halifax gentry who became an officer in the volunteer
force. He helped to raise the First West York Yeomanry Cavalry
in 1843 and in the following year was elected captain. The Morley
and Agbrigg Corps of the Yeomanry Cavalry was then designated
the Second West York Yeomanry Cavalry. Sir Henry was promoted
Lt-Colonel and commanded the regiment for 21 years, retiring
in 1884 after a total of 41 years service.
Edward Akroyd (1810-87), the Halifax millowner
and philanthropist helped to form the Volunteer Rifle Corps in
1859 and was appointed senior captain. The battalion was designated
the 4th West Yorkshire (Halifax) Rifle Volunteers. Parades were
held at first in the Piece Hall and later in the Riding School.
Akroyd was promoted to Lt-Colonel in 1861, and in 1870 a Drill
Hall was built for the use of the Volunteers. On relinquishing
command of the regiment in 1870 he received the title of Honorary
Colonel. In 1883 the title of the unit changed to the First Volunteer
Battalion (Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment, and a
further change took place in 1908 when it became the 4th Battalion
(Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment. In 1938 it changed
once more to the 58th Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A. Louis John Crossley, JP, (1842-91) the only son of Mr John Crossley, MP, of Manor Heath, Halifax,
was another Halifax gentleman who thought it his duty to serve
as an officer in the Volunteers and became Colonel of the 2nd
West York Artillery Volunteers.
Cavalry were trained at the Riding School
which stood opposite the present Halifax Bank headquarters in
Halifax. Early maps also show a site marked 'Cavalry Fields'
where exercises clearly took place. This was situated above Rhodes
Street, between Gibbet Street and Hanson Lane.
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment has long
associations with Halifax and recruited in the Calderdale district
from its inception. The regiment was originally the 33rd Foot
and served in India and in Europe. This eventually became the
Duke of Wellington's Regiment after the Duke's victory at Waterloo.
Wellesley Barracks, named of course after
the Duke's family, were built in the Highroad Well district of
Halifax in 1877 and became the depot for the regiment where troops
were quartered behind its castellated walls and towers for many
years until the depot and training base of the Duke of Wellington's
Regiment was moved to Strensall and Wellesley Park, as it was
then renamed, was used by Calderdale Leisure Services Department.
Major-General Sir William Fawcett, KCB (1728-1804)
who was born in Halifax was connected to the Listers of Shibden
Hall. He obtained a commission in the army becoming an Ensign
in 1745, captain in 1757, and rising to Lt-Colonel in 1760, Major-General
in 1777, Lt-General in 1782 and General in 1796. His wide service
abroad included the Seven Years' War and the American War of
Independence. He was an informed writer on military affairs and
in 1799 was honoured by becoming a Privy Councillor.
Captain Jeremy Lister (1752-1836), who was
born at Shibden Hall and was to become the father of Anne Lister,
obtained a commission as an Ensign in the 10th Regiment of Foot
in 1770, joining his regiment in Canada the following year where
he was wounded. His journal tells some of his adventures there
and includes also more mundane details such as the price of items
of his uniform. He rose to the rank of captain, but resigned
his commission in 1783. He died in 1836.
During World War 2 Halifax was a garrison
town, its streets echoing to the tramp of marching feet and the
roar of heavy military vehicles, and its citizens played their
part, many young men and women joining the armed services while
those at home went on duty as Air Raid Wardens after a full day's
work, or served as Fire Warchers or with the Civil Defence. Other
men, those too old or too young for service in the forces, became
members of the Home Guard and prepared for the possibility of
invasion.
An interesting link with Bomber Command was
the official naming of an aeroplane as the 'Halifax' bomber.
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