Editing Manchester Regiment

{{For|the Jacobite unit|Manchester Regiment (Jacobite)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Manchester Regiment
|image=ManchestersCapBadgeWWI.jpg
|image_size=200px
|caption=[[Cap badge]] of the Manchester Regiment during the First World War.
|dates=1 July 1881&nbsp;– 1 September 1958
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|size=[[Line infantry]]
|garrison=[[Ladysmith Barracks]], [[Ashton-under-Lyne]]
|ceremonial_chief=[[Majesty|HM]] [[George V|King George V]] (1930)<br/>HM [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] (1947)
|ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief
|colonel_of_the_regiment= Edmund Richard Jeffreys (1881)<br>John MacNeill Walter (1889) Sir Henry Radford Norman (1895)<br>Vere Hunt Bowles (1899)<br> William Osborne Barnard (1904)<br>Sir [[Vere Bonamy Fane]] (1920)<br>Sir [[Willoughby Gwatkin|Willoughby Garnons Gwatkin]] (1924)<br>Hon. Sir [[Herbert Lawrence|Herbert Alexander Lawrence]] (1925)<br>Wilfrid Keith Evans (1932)<br>Francis Holland Dorling (1934)<br>Charles Dawson Moorhead (1947)<br>Eric Boyd Costin (1948)<br>Thomas Bell Lindsay Churchill (1954)
|nickname=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries= [[Siege of Ladysmith|Ladysmith]], 23 February<br>[[Battle of Kohima|Kohima]], 15 May<br>[[Invasion of Guadeloupe (1759)|Guadeloupe]], 10 June<br>[[Battle of Inkerman|Inkerman]], 5 November
}}
The '''Manchester Regiment''' was a [[line infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[British Army]] in existence from 1881 until 1958. The regiment was created during the 1881 [[Childers Reforms]] by the amalgamation of the [[63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot]] and the [[96th Regiment of Foot]] as the 1st and 2nd battalions; the [[6th Royal Lancashire Militia]] became the [[3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|3rd (Reserve)]] and [[4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|4th (Extra Reserve)]] battalions and the [[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|Volunteer]] battalions became the 5th, [[1st Manchester Rifles|6th]], [[3rd Manchester Rifles|7th]], 8th, 9th and 10th battalions.

After distinguished service in both the [[World War I|First]] and the [[World War II|Second World Wars]], the Manchester Regiment was amalgamated with the [[King's Regiment (Liverpool)]] in 1958, to form the [[King's Regiment|King's Regiment (Manchester and Liverpool)]], which was, in 2006, amalgamated with the [[King's Own Royal Border Regiment]] and the [[Queen's Lancashire Regiment]] to form the present [[Duke of Lancaster's Regiment|Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's, Lancashire and Border)]].

==1881–1899==
Between the 1860s and 1880s, the British Army underwent a period of reform implemented by [[Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell|Edward Cardwell]] and [[Hugh Childers]]. Single-battalion regiments were amalgamated and regiments were affiliated with a geographical area.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 58.</ref> The Manchester Regiment came into being on 1 July 1881 by the union of the [[63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot|63rd (West Suffolk)]] and [[96th Regiment of Foot|96th]] Regiments of Foot.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=24992|pages=3300–3301|date=1 July 1881}}</ref> They had been linked in 1873 by their allocation to the 16th Sub-district Brigade Depot in [[Ashton-under-Lyne]], near to Manchester.<ref name="line">Frederick, John Bassett Moore (1969), ''Lineage book of the British Army; Mounted Corps and Infantry, 1660–1968'', pp. 112–3.</ref> The 2nd Battalion, as the 96th Foot, had been raised in the town of Manchester in 1824. Eight additional battalions were gained through the incorporation of the [[Lancashire Militia|6th Royal Lancashire Militia]] and [[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|rifle corps]] units from [[Lancashire]].<ref name="line"/>  By July, the regiment had the following under its command:<ref name = Frederick>Frederick, pp. 130–3.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028083650/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-10-28|title=The Manchester Regiment [UK]|date=2007-10-28|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref>

* Regimental Headquarters
* 63rd Regimental District (Regimental Depot) based in [[Ashton-under-Lyne|Ashton]] (later named [[Ladysmith Barracks]])
* 1st Battalion (Regular)
* 2nd Battalion (Regular)
* [[3rd (6th Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|3rd (1st Battalion, 6th Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion (Militia)]]
* [[4th (6th Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|4th (2nd Battalion, 6th Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion (Militia)]]
* 1st Volunteer Battalion — former 4th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers
* [[1st Manchester Rifles#Volunteer Force|2nd Volunteer Battalion]] — former 6th Lancashire (1st Manchester) Rifle Volunteers
* 3rd Volunteer Battalion — former 40th Lancashire (3rd Manchester) Rifle Volunteers
* [[3rd Manchester Rifles#Volunteer Force|4th Volunteer Battalion]]  — former 20th Lancashire (2nd Manchester) Rifle Volunteers
* 5th (Ardwick) Volunteer Battalion — former 23rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers
* 6th Volunteer Battalion — former 7th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers

The 1st Battalion was deployed to Egypt to take part in the [[Anglo-Egyptian War]] in 1882 and was then deployed to [[Gibraltar]] in 1897. The 2nd Battalion was based in [[British Raj|India]] from 1882 to 1897 and saw action on the [[Military history of the North-West Frontier|North-West Frontier]] before departing for [[Aden]].<ref name=nam>{{cite web|url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/manchester-regiment|title=Manchester Regiment|publisher=National Army Museum|access-date=9 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126111533/http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/manchester-regiment|archive-date=26 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==1899–1914==
===Second Boer War===
[[File:The Manchester Regiment by Harry Payne.jpg|thumb|right|The Manchester Regiment in the full dress uniform of 1914. Illustration by [[Harry Payne (artist)|Harry Payne]] (1858–1927)]]
Amidst growing tension between Boers and the British in the Transvaal, the 1st Manchester shipped to South Africa in September 1899. The battalion arrived in [[Durban]], [[Natal Colony]] in early October, and was soon afterwards moved to [[Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal|Ladysmith]].<ref name="Arri">Mileham (2000), pp. 65–7.</ref> The war began on 11 October with a Boer invasion of the colony.<ref>Fremont-Barnes (2003), ''The Boer War 1899–1902'', p. 11.</ref> After Boer forces captured [[Elandslaagte]] railway station, the Manchesters had four companies sent by [[armoured train]] to [[Modderspruit]]. While disembarking there, the Manchesters and accompanying [[Imperial Light Horse]] came under ineffectual artillery fire.<ref name="Arri"/>

The 1st Manchesters, along with the [[Gordon Highlanders]] and the [[Light Horse Regiment|Imperial Light Horse]], took part in the subsequent assault. The fighting was heavy, with the Boers pouring accurate fire into the advancing British troops. Under increasingly heavy fire, the battalion halted its advance. The Manchester became the main vanguard of the frontal assault, having originally been tasked with a left-flank attack on the Boer hills. Once the battalion closed in, the Boers withdrew to their main line of defence.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Great-Boer-War2.html|title=The Great Boer War |author= Arthur Conan Doyle|publisher=C. Struik|year= 1976|isbn=978-0-86977-074-0}}</ref>

On 2 November, Boer forces encircled and isolated the town of Ladysmith, beginning a [[Siege of Ladysmith|118-day siege]].<ref>Raugh, Harold E. (2004), ''The Victorians at War, 1815–1914: An Encyclopedia of British Military History'', p. 205.</ref> On 6 January 1900, a contingent of 16 soldiers of the 1st Manchesters came under attack at Wagon Hill, near to Caeser's Camp. Against superior numbers, the detachment held its position for 15 hours. Only two survived, Privates [[James Pitts (VC recipient)|Pitts]] and [[Robert Scott (VC recipient)|Scott]], who had continued to hold out for many hours when the others had been killed. Both received the [[Victoria Cross]] for their actions, giving the regiment its first two VCs. By 28 February, Ladysmith had finally been relieved by a force under the command of General [[Redvers Buller]].<ref>Holmes, p. 97.</ref>

[[File:South African War Memorial, St Anns Square (2513411186).jpg|thumb|A regimental South African War Memorial (the work of William Hamo Thornycroft) in [[St Ann's Square, Manchester]]]] 
The 2nd Manchesters was mobilized into a new [[8th Division (United Kingdom)|8th Division]] going to South Africa for the war. 930 officers and men of the regiment left Southampton in the ''SS Bavarian'' in March 1900,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The War - Embarcation of Troops |date=17 March 1900 |page=9 |issue=36092}}</ref> and in April arrived in Natal as reinforcements.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 73.</ref> Both battalions participated in the offensive that followed the relieving of Ladysmith, [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]] and [[Siege of Mafeking|Mafeking]]. After the fall of [[Bloemfontein]] and [[Pretoria]], the Boer commandos transitioned to [[guerrilla warfare]]. The 2nd Manchesters operated in the [[Orange Free State]], searching farms and burning those suspected of housing commandos.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 75.</ref> The war ended with the signing of the [[Treaty of Vereeniging]] in May 1902.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/peace-vereeniging|title=The Peace of Vereeniging|magazine=History Today|first=Richard |last=Cavendish|date=5 May 2002|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> The 2nd battalion stayed in South Africa throughout the war. Four months later 340 officers and men of the battalion left [[Cape Town]] on the SS ''Michigan'' in late September 1902, arriving at Southampton in late October, when they were posted to [[Aldershot Garrison|Aldershot]].<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa - Troops returning Home |date=2 October 1902 |page=4 |issue=36888}}</ref>

When the Boers proved more resilient than predicted, a number of regiments recruited in large centres of population formed additional regular battalions. The Manchester Regiment formed the 3rd and 4th Battalions in February 1900,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The War - Infantry and Militia battalions|date=19 February 1900 |page=12 |issue=36069}}</ref> at which time the militia battalions were relabelled as the 5th and 6th battalions. The 3rd Battalion was stationed in [[Saint Helena]] and [[South Africa]] from August 1902,<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa|date=29 July 1902 |page=7 |issue=36832}}</ref> while the 4th Battalion was stationed in [[Cork, County Cork|Cork]]. In 1906, the 3rd and 4th battalions both returned to the United Kingdom, where they were disbanded.<ref name=nam/>

The [[3rd (6th Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|5th (Militia) Battalion]] (until February 1900 known as the 3rd battalion) was embodied in May 1900, disembodied in October that year, and re-embodied in May 1901 for service in South Africa, for which it embarked the following month.<ref>Hart's Army list, 1903.</ref> More than 800 officers and men returned to Southampton in July 1902, following the end of the war.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa - Troops returning home |date=16 July 1902 |page=11 |issue=36821}}</ref>

The [[4th (6th Royal Lancashire Militia) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|6th (Militia) Battalion]] (until February 1900 known as the 4th battalion) was embodied in May 1900, disembodied in October that year, and later re-embodied for service in South Africa. More than 640 officers and men returned to Southampton by the SS ''Guelph'' in October 1902, following the end of the war, and was disbanded at the Ashton barracks.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa - Troops returning home|date=12 September 1902 |page=5 |issue=36871}}</ref>
[[File:Delhi Durbar, 1911.jpg|thumb|The 1911 Delhi Durbar]]
The 1st Manchesters left South Africa for [[Singapore]] in 1903. The following year, the 1st moved to India, where, in 1911, the battalion paraded at the [[Delhi Durbar]], attended by [[George V|King George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanchesters.org/dehli%20durbar.htm|title=The Manchester Regiment 1899–1958: Medal Rolls|publisher=The Manchesters|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> The 2nd Manchesters had returned to Britain in 1902, where it remained until the outbreak of the [[World War I|First World War]] in 1914.<ref name = Trail/>

===Haldane reforms===
In 1908, the Volunteers and Militia were reorganised nationally, with the former becoming the [[Territorial Force]] and the latter the [[Special Reserve (militia)|Special Reserve]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1908/mar/31/territorial-and-reserve-forces-act-1907|title=Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=31 March 1908|access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref> The regiment now had two Reserve and six Territorial battalions:<ref name= regts/><ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/>
* [[3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|3rd (Reserve) Battalion]] (SR) at Ladysmith Barracks
* [[4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion]] (SR) at Ladysmith Barracks
* 5th Battalion (TF) at Bank Street in [[Wigan]] (since demolished)
* [[1st Manchester Rifles|6th Battalion]] (TF) at Stretford Road in [[Hulme]] (since demolished)
* [[3rd Manchester Rifles|7th Battalion]] (TF) at [[Burlington Street drill hall|Burlington Street]] in Manchester
* 8th (Ardwick) Battalion (TF) at [[Ardwick Green Barracks|Ardwick Green]] in Manchester
* 9th Battalion (TF) at [[Old Street drill hall, Ashton-under-Lyne|Old Street]] in [[Ashton-under-Lyne]]
* 10th Battalion (TF) at [[Rifle Street drill hall, Oldham|Rifle Street]] in [[Oldham]]

==First World War==

===Mobilisation===
On the outbreak of war in August 1914 the 1st Battalion was part of the [[8th (Jullundur) Brigade]] of the [[3rd (Lahore) Division|3rd (Lahore) Indian Division]], while the 2nd Battalion was part of  [[14th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|14th Brigade]] in [[5th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|5th Division]], stationed in Ireland.<ref name = James>James, pp. 96–7.</ref><ref name = Trail>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/manchester-regiment/ Manchester Regiment at Long, Long Trail.]</ref>

In August 1914 the two Special Reserve battalions went to their war station in the [[Humber]] Garrison where they carried out the dual tasks of garrison duties and preparing reinforcement drafts of regular reservists, special reservists, recruits and returning wounded for the two regular battalions. <ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/>

The Territorial battalions mobilised in August 1914 as part of the [[42nd (East Lancashire) Division|East Lancashire Division]]. Shortly afterwards the Territorial Force was invited to volunteer for overseas service and the bulk of the East Lancashire Division did so. The division was sent to [[Sultanate of Egypt|Egypt]] to relieve the Regular garrison for service on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] and was subsequently designated the [[42nd (East Lancashire) Division]]. Those men who were ineligible for overseas service, together with the volunteers who were flooding in, were formed into second line units distinguished with a '2/' prefix (2/5th Manchesters ''etc'') . The 2nd Line battalions of the Manchesters joined the [[66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division]].<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/><ref>Gibbon, pp. 1–18.</ref><ref name = Becke42>Becke, Pt 2a, pp. 35–41.</ref><ref name = Becke66>Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 67–74.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/42nd-east-lancashire-division/ 42nd (EL) Division at Long, Long Trail.]</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/66th-2nd-east-lancashire-division/ 66th (2nd EL) Division at Long, Long Trail.]</ref>
[[File:30a Sammlung Eybl Großbritannien. Alfred Leete (1882–1933) Britons (Kitchener) wants you (Briten Kitchener braucht Euch). 1914 (Nachdruck), 74 x 50 cm. (Slg.Nr. 552).jpg|right|thumb|[[Alfred Leete]]'s recruitment poster for Kitchener's Army.]]
Meanwhile on 6 August 1914, less than 48 hours after Britain's declaration of war, [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] sanctioned an increase of 500,000 men for the Regular Army, and the newly-appointed [[Secretary of State for War]], [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Earl Kitchener of Khartoum]] issued his famous call to arms: 'Your King and Country Need You', urging the first 100,000 volunteers to come forward. This group of six divisions with supporting arms became known as Kitchener's First New Army, or 'K1'.<ref>War Office Instructions No 32 (6 August) and No 37 (7 August).</ref><ref>Becke, Pt 3a, pp. 2 & 8; Appendix I.</ref> Volunteers poured into the recruiting offices across the country and were formed into 'Service' battalions of the county regiments. So many came forward that the 'K1' battalions were quickly filled and the recruitment of the 'K2', 'K3' and 'K4' units quickly followed. The Manchesters formed the 11th (Service) Bn (K1), [[12th (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|12th (Service) Bn]] (K2), 13th (Service) Bn (K3) and 14th (Reserve) Bn (K4).<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/>

The flood of volunteers overwhelmed the ability of the army to absorb and organise them, and by the time the Fifth New Army (K5) was authorised, many of its constituent units were being organised as "[[Pals battalion]]s" under the auspices of mayors and corporations of towns up and down the country. The [[Lord Mayor of Manchester|Lord Mayor and City of Manchester]] raised eight battalions of [[Manchester Pals]], which became the 16th–23rd (Service) Bns of the Manchester Regiment, subtitled '1st City', '2nd City', ''etc''. Meanwhile the  Mayor and Town of Oldham raised the 24th (Service) Bn (Oldham Pioneers). Later the 25th–27th (Reserve) Bns were formed from the depot companies of the Pals battalions.<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/>

===Western Front===
[[File:Manchester Regiment - Graves of soldiers in the cemetery of Croisilles.jpg|thumb|{{center|Graves of five soldiers in the cemetery of Ervillers.}}]]
The 1st Battalion moved to France, landing at [[Marseille]] in September 1914.<ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/> Having been briefly attached to French cavalry, the 1st Battalion moved to the frontline on 26 October, relieving a battalion of the [[Bedfordshire Regiment]] near [[Festubert]].<ref>Wylly, H. C. (1923), ''History of the Manchester Regiment (Late the 63rd and 96th Foot)'', p. 108.</ref> Three days later, a heavy bombardment preceded an attack by a German force directed against the 2nd Battalion, Manchesters and the 1st Battalion, [[Devonshire Regiment]]. Despite capturing a trench line, the Germans were unable to capitalise due to the actions of a platoon commanded by Second-Lieutenant [[James Leach (VC)|James Leach]]. In the process of their methodical retaking of the [[Trench warfare|trench]], the party killed eight, wounded two and captured 14 soldiers.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 86.</ref> For their contribution to the defence of the Manchesters' trenches, Second-Lieutenant Leach and Sergeant [[John Hogan (VC)|John Hogan]] were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29015|page=10920 |date=22 December 1914 }}</ref> Severe casualties were sustained by the 1st Manchesters and its brigade during the [[Battle of Neuve Chapelle]]. A succession of intensely fought battles followed, culminating in the [[Second Battle of Ypres]] and [[Battle of Loos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanchesters.org/1st%20batt.htm|title=The Manchester Regiment 1899–1958: The First Battalion|publisher=The Manchesters|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

The 2nd Manchesters embarked for France with the 5th Division in August 1914 and contributed to the rearguard actions that supported the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War I)|British Expeditionary Force]]'s (BEF) retreat following the [[Battle of Mons]].<ref>Mileham (2000), pp. 83–4.</ref> The battalion was engaged in the battles of the [[First Battle of the Marne|Marne]], the [[First Battle of the Aisne|Aisne]] and [[First Battle of Ypres|"First Ypres"]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanchesters.org/2nd%20batt.htm|title=The Manchester Regiment 1899–1958: The Second Battalion|publisher=The Manchesters|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

On 1 July 1916, the [[first day on the Somme|first day]] of the [[Battle of the Somme]], the regiment had nine battalions committed, including the [[Manchester Pals]], the 16th (1st City), 17th (2nd City), 18th (3rd City) and 19th (4th City), all serving in the [[90th Brigade (United Kingdom)|90th Brigade]] of the [[30th Division (United Kingdom)|30th Division]]. The day proved to be the deadliest in the British Army's history, with more than 57,000 killed, wounded or missing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/discover/the-battle-of-the-somme.aspx|title=The Battle of the Somme|publisher=Commonwealth War Graves Commission|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

The regiment continued its involvement in the Somme Offensive. In late July, the 16th, 17th and 18th Manchesters attacked an area in the vicinity of the small village of [[Guillemont]]. During the action, Company Sergeant-Major [[George Evans (VC)|George Evans]], of the 18th, volunteered to deliver an important message, having witnessed five previous, fatal attempts to do so. He delivered his message, running more than half a mile despite being wounded. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31759|date=27 January 1920 |page=1217|supp=y}}</ref>

[[File:2nd Manchesters capturing a German battery at Francilly Selency, Apriil 1917.jpg|thumb|C Company, 2nd Manchesters taking the battery at Francilly Selency. Painting by [[Richard Caton Woodville]] (1856–1927)]]

On 2 April 1917, the 2nd Manchesters attacked [[Francilly-Selency]], in which C Company captured a battery of 77&nbsp;mm guns and a number of machine-guns. Two paintings were made of this action by the military artist [[Richard Caton Woodville]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/artist.php?ArtistID=193|title=Richard Caton Woodville|publisher=Direct Art|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref> Later in the month, the Manchester Regiment fought in the [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Arras Offensive]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jeremybanning.co.uk/tag/battle-of-arras/|title=Remembering the Battle of Arras: First Battle of the Scarpe 9-14 April 1917.|date=8 April 2012|publisher=Jeremy Banning|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

Preparations for a [[Battle of Passchendaele|new offensive]], the Third Battle of Ypres, in the Ypres sector had got under-way in June with a preliminary assault on [[Battle of Messines (1917)|Messines]]. The Manchester Pals' Brigade fought in the offensive's opening battle, at Pilckem Ridge, on 31 July.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 125.</ref> Conditions during "Third Ypres" (or [[Passchendaele Ridge|Passchendaele]]) reduced the battleground to an intractable morass.<ref>Morrow (2005), ''The Great War: An Imperial History'', p. 192.</ref> During "Third Ypres", Sergeant [[Charles Harry Coverdale|Coverdale]], of the 11th (Service) Battalion, killed three snipers, rushed two machine gun positions, then reorganised his platoon to capture another position, though after advancing some distance was forced back due to bombardment from the British artillery, suffering nine casualties in the advance.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30433 |supp=y|page=13222|date=14 December 1917 }}</ref>

After serving on the Western Front from July 1915 with [[17th (Northern) Division]], including the [[Ypres Salient]] and the battles of the Somme and Arras, 12th (Service) Battalion amalgamated with Regimental HQ and two squadrons of the Manchester-based [[Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry]] (DLOY), who had been dismounted and retrained as infantry. From 24 September 1917 the battalion was redesignated [[12th (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) Battalion, Manchester Regiment|12th (DLOY) Battalion, Manchester Regiment]]. It continued serving with 17th (N) Division until the Armistice, including the Battle of Passchendaele, the [[German Spring Offensive]] and the [[Allies of World War I|Allied]] [[Hundred Days Offensive]].<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/><ref name = Becke17>Becke, Pt 3a, pp. 71–7.</ref><ref>Frederick, p. 38.</ref><ref>James, p. 22.</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-yeomanry-regiments-of-1914-1918/duke-of-lancasters-own-yeomanry/ DLOY at Long, Long Trail.]</ref><ref>[http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/17th-northern-division/ 17th (N) Division at Long, Long Trail.]</ref>

In March 1918, the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] launched an [[German spring offensive|all-out offensive]] in the Somme sector. Faced with the prospect of continued [[American Expeditionary Forces|American reinforcement]] (who had [[American entry into World War I|entered the war]] in April 1917) of the Allied armies, the Germans urgently sought a decisive victory on the Western Front.<ref>Robbins, Keith (2002), ''The First World War'', p. 73.</ref> On the morning of 21 March, the 16th Manchesters occupied positions in an area known as Manchester Hill, near to [[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|St. Quentin]]. A large German force attacked along the 16th's front, being repulsed in parts, but completely overwhelming the battalion elsewhere. Some positions lost were recaptured in counter-attacks by the 16th. Though encircled, the 16th continued to resist the assault, encouraged by its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel [[Wilfrith Elstob]]. During the course of the battle, Elstob single-handedly repulsed a grenadier attack and made a number of journeys to replenish dwindling ammunition supplies. At one point, he sent a message to [[42nd Brigade (United Kingdom)|42nd Brigade]] HQ that "The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last", to his men he had told them "Here we fight, and here we die". The 16th Manchesters effectively ceased to exist as a coherent body. Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31395|date=6 June 1919 |page=7419}}</ref> An attempt to retake the hill was later made by the 17th Manchesters, now part of [[21st Brigade (United Kingdom)|21st Brigade]], with heavy losses. Two more Victoria Crosses were awarded to the regiment in the final months of the war. Also involved in the Spring Offensive were the 2/5th, 2/6th and 2/7th battalions, serving as part of [[199th (Manchester) Brigade|199th (2/1st Manchester) Brigade]], part of [[66th Division (United Kingdom)|66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division]], all battalions of the [[Territorial Force]].<ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/>

The later-prominent war poet, [[Wilfred Owen]] served with the 2nd Battalion, Manchesters in the later stages of the war. On 1 October 1918, Owen led units of it to storm a number of enemy strong points near the village of [[Joncourt]]. For his courage and leadership in the Joncourt action, he was awarded the [[Military Cross]], an award he had always sought in order to justify himself.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31183 |supp=y|page=2378|date=14 February 1919}}</ref> On 4 November 1918, Wilfred Owen was killed in action during the crossing of the [[Sambre–Oise Canal]], exactly one week (almost to the hour) before the signing of the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918]] and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant the day after his death.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stallworthy|first1=Jon|title=Wilfred Owen: Poems selected by Jon Stallworthy|date=2004|publisher=Faber and Faber|location=London|isbn=0-571-20725-1|pages=vii-xix}}</ref>

===Middle East===
In September 1914, just before the [[Ottoman Empire]] entered the war on Germany's side, six of the regiment's battalions joined the Egypt garrison.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 109.</ref> They belonged to the [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division|East Lancashire Division]] of the Territorial Force, which was selected to release [[Standing army|Regular Army]] troops for service in active theatres.<ref>Westlake, Ray & Chappell, Mike (1991), ''British Territorial Units 1914–18'', p. 20.</ref> Serving in the division were the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th battalions, with the latter two as part of the [[126th (East Lancashire) Brigade|East Lancashire Brigade]] (which also included two battalions, the 4th and 5th, of the [[East Lancashire Regiment]]) and the other four the [[127th (Manchester) Brigade|Manchester Brigade]]. In May 1915, the division was numbered as the [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division|42nd (East Lancashire) Division]] and the brigades were numbered, the Manchester Brigade becoming [[127th (Manchester) Brigade|127th (1/1st Manchester) Brigade]] and the East Lancashire Brigade the [[126th (East Lancashire) Brigade|126th (1/1st East Lancashire) Brigade]]. In the same month, the division [[Landing at Cape Helles|landed at Cape Helles]], [[Gallipoli]] to reinforce the British beachheads established during the [[Gallipoli Campaign|initial landings]] in April.<ref name="Gal"/>

The Manchesters disembarked at "V" and "W",<ref name="Gal">Mileham (2000), p. 111.</ref> where, in the April landings, there had been at least 2,000 casualties.<ref>Keegan, p. 265.</ref> The Manchester battalions took part in the [[Third Battle of Krithia]] on 4 June 1915. The 127th Brigade reached their first objective and advanced a further 1,000 yards, capturing 217 Ottomans in the process.<ref>Green, p. 106.</ref>

During the [[Battle of Krithia Vineyard]], the Manchesters suffered heavy losses and gained a Victoria Cross for gallantry by Lieutenant [[William Forshaw|Forshaw]] of the 1/9th Battalion. The evacuation of Cape Helles lasted from December 1915 to January 1916. The Manchester battalions suffered many casualties during the Dardnalles Campaign. At the [[Helles Memorial]], 1,215 names of the Manchesters alone fill the memorial.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/helles_memorial.htm|title=Helles Memorial|publisher=Battlefields|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

The 1st Manchesters embarked for the [[Mesopotamian campaign]], accompanying the infantry element of the Indian Corps, from France in late 1915. The battalion took part in the [[Battle of Dujaila]] in March 1916, which was intended to relieve the British forces in [[Siege of Kut|Kut-al-Amara]], which was being besieged by [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] forces. In the battle, the 1st Manchesters seized the trenches of the Dujaila Redoubt with the [[59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)]]; however, they were subsequently displaced by an Ottoman counter-attack, being forced back to their starting lines. During the withdrawal, Private [[George Stringer|Stringer]] held his ground single-handedly, securing the flank of his battalion. He was awarded the Victoria Cross. British and Indian forces suffered 4,000 casualties. After five failed attempts to relieve the town, Kut surrendered to Ottoman forces on 29 April 1916. The 1st Manchesters would take part in further actions in Mesopotamia, but in March 1918 the battalion moved to [[Egypt]].<ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/>

The battalion then moved to Ottoman-controlled [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], still part of the 3rd (Lahore) Division, to take part in the campaign there against the Ottomans. They fought in the last major offensive there, at [[Battle of Megiddo (1918)|Megiddo]], on 19 September. Within three hours the Turkish lines, held by the [[Turkish Eighth Army]], had been broken. Open warfare defined the theatre. During the Megiddo offensive, the cavalry advanced more than 70 miles in 36 hours. The 1st Manchesters took part in further engagements until the Armistice with the Ottoman Empire, remaining in the area until 1919.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europeana1914-1918.eu/en/europeana/record/15601/711E9928AEED2E7751F5FC1615FB861421C40701|title=Charles Hampson, Photograph of three graves|publisher=Europeana|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

===Home Front===
During a raid by German [[LZ 61 (L 21)|Zeppelin L 21]] on the night of 31 March - 1 April 1916, 31 soldiers of the 3rd Manchesters were killed when a bomb hit their billet at [[Cleethorpes]].<ref name=roots1>{{cite web|url=http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/WEST-RIDING/1999-05/0927581085 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818180107/https://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/WEST-RIDING/1999-05/0927581085 |archive-date=18 August 2016|first=Vernon|last=Cook|title=Zeppelin Disaster Casualty List - Cleethorpes Lincs 1916|publisher=RootsWeb Ancestry|work=WEST-RIDING-L Archives|year=1999}}</ref>{{efn|Another account attributes the raid to [[Zeppelin LZ 64]] and gives the casualties of the 3rd Manchesters as 29 killed and 53 wounded.<ref>Morris, pp. 71, 179.</ref>}}<ref name=IWM_WMR>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/47711|title=3rd Battalion Manchester Regiment [fatalities] in the Cleethorpes Zeppelin Raid|publisher=[[Imperial War Museum#Databases|Imperial War Museum]]|work=War Memorials Register |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>

As the war continued the Manchesters organised a number of other battalions for service away from the front lines. In 1915 the Home Service men of the TF battalions of the Manchesters and the [[Lancashire Fusiliers]], were combined into 45th Provisional Battalion, which became 28th Manchesters on 1 January 1917. It served at home in [[73rd Division (United Kingdom)|73rd Division]] and was disbanded in 1918.<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/><ref>Army Council Instructions, January 1916, Appendix 18.</ref><ref>Becke, Pt 2b, pp. 111–6.</ref> A 29th Battalion was formed in June 1918, but within days was absorbed into 16th (1st City) Bn. The 1st Garrison Battalion served in India, and the 2nd (Home Service) Garrison Bn at home. In addition, three training battalions were organised in 1917 for progressive training of recruits: 51st (Graduated), 52nd (Graduated) and 53rd (Young Soldier) Bns.<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = James/><ref name = Trail/> One of the last surviving First World War veterans, [[Netherwood Hughes]], served in the 51st Battalion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3491093/New-First-World-War-veteran-comes-to-light-through-internet.html|title='New' First World War veteran comes to light through internet |last=Bingham|first=John|date=2008-11-20|work=Telegraph Online|access-date=2008-11-25}}</ref> Ned Hughes died 4 April 2009 aged 108.<ref>[http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/community/obituaries/s/1107727_ww1_veteran_dies_aged_108 Report on Ned Hughes' death] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415142024/http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/community/obituaries/s/1107727_ww1_veteran_dies_aged_108 |date=15 April 2009 }}</ref>

==Interwar years==
In 1919, during the [[interwar period]], the 1st Manchesters returned to Britain for a year, later reinforcing the garrison in Ireland. In 1922, it garrisoned the [[Channel Islands]] before joining the [[British Army of the Rhine]] in Germany. It returned to Britain in 1927 and, in 1933, departed for the [[West Indies]]. After being posted to Egypt in 1936, the 1st Manchesters was converted into a Vickers machine-gun battalion.<ref name="MidE">Mileham (2000), pp. 136–7.</ref> The battalion had to be rushed to the [[Mandatory Palestine|Mandate of Palestine]] when the Arab populace erupted in revolt. In difficult conditions, the battalion suffered four killed and contributed a number of men to the counter-insurgency [[Special Night Squads]].<ref name="MidE"/> In 1937, a company on detachment in [[Cyprus]] provided a special guard for the Coronation parade. In 1938, the battalion moved to [[Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/80/a2437580.shtml|title=Abie's War: 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

Meanwhile, in 1920, the 2nd Manchesters became part of the garrison in Mesopotamia,<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 132.</ref> which had been acquired by Britain as a [[British Mandate of Mesopotamia|mandate territory]] under the auspices of the [[League of Nations]].<ref>Arthur, Max (2005), ''Symbol of Courage: The Men Behind the Medal'', pp. 376–7.</ref> During an action near [[Hillah]], Captain [[George Stuart Henderson|Henderson]] reorganised his company, who were wavering in the face of a large force of tribesmen, then led the company in three attacks against the tribesmen, being severely wounded in the second attack, though carrying on for the third and final counter-attack. He carried on fighting until he succumbed to a loss of blood and collapsed. Aided by one of his men, who helped him to stand, Henderson told his company, "I'm done now, don't let them beat you." He was shot again, which killed him. He was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for his actions.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue= 32106|date=29 October 1920|page=10579|supp=y}}</ref> The battalion departed for India in 1922, where it remained until 1932. At the beginning of the [[World War II|Second World War]], it was stationed in Britain.<ref name=nam/>

The [[Territorial Force]] had been demobilised in 1919. It was reformed on 7 February 1920 and reorganised and renamed as the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] the following year. The battalions of the Manchester Regiment were reformed, the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th continuing to serve in the [[127th (Manchester) Brigade|127th (Manchester) Infantry Brigade]], and the 9th and 10th with [[126th (East Lancashire) Brigade|126th (East Lancashire) Infantry Brigade]] (alongside the 4th and 5th [[East Lancashire Regiment]]), both brigades still being part of [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division]]. However, in 1921, the 6th and 7th battalions were amalgamated as the [[1st Manchester Rifles#Interwar|6th/7th Battalion]] and later converted to become the [[1st Manchester Rifles|65th (The Manchester Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/2-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1936-38-.pdf |title=2 AA Division 1936 |publisher=British Military History |access-date=10 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194854/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/2-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1936-38-.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 31 October 1938, during the period of rearmament preceding the Second World War, the 10th (Territorial Army) Battalion was converted to armour, becoming the 41st Battalion, [[Royal Tank Regiment|Royal Tank Corps]], later [[41st (Oldham) Royal Tank Regiment]]. A 'second line' battalion, which was formed at Oldham in 1939, became the [[47th (Oldham) Royal Tank Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/history/territorial1939|title=Museum of the Manchester Regiment|publisher=Tameside Borough Council|access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/RTR.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103223642/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/RTR.htm|title=The Royal Tank Regiment [UK]|archive-date=3 January 2006|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref>

==Second World War==

===North West Europe and Italy===
When the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] [[Battle of France|invaded France]] in May 1940, the 2nd, 5th and 1/9th Manchesters formed part of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] - the 2nd and 1/9th were Machine Gun battalions.<ref>Mileham (2000), pp. 141–2.</ref> The 2nd Battalion, a [[Standing army|Regular Army]] unit, was the MG Battalion of the [[2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|2nd Infantry Division]], the 5th was serving with 4th [[East Lancashire Regiment]] and 1st [[Highland Light Infantry]] in the [[127th (Manchester) Brigade|127th Infantry Brigade]], [[42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division]] and the 1/9th was with [[III Corps (United Kingdom)|III Corps]] GHQ Troops. Despite putting up a stubborn defence, the BEF went into retreat, the Manchesters being engaged along the way. Much of the BEF converged on [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk]], where hundreds of ships evacuated more than 330,000 soldiers back to Britain. Of the surviving men of the 2nd Manchesters, more than 300 men were evacuated. Fewer than 200 remained, fighting until being either captured or killed.<ref>Mileham (2000), p. 145.</ref>

In November 1941, the 5th Manchesters, along with the rest of the division (which became [[42nd Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|42nd Armoured Division]]), was converted to armour as the [[111th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps|111th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (Manchester Regiment)]], serving alongside the [[107th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps|107th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (King's Own)]] and the [[110th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps|110th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (Border)]] in the [[11th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|11th Armoured Brigade]]. The men continued to wear their Manchester Regiment cap badge on the black beret of the RAC as did all infantry units converted in this way.<ref>George Forty (1998), ''British Army Handbook 1939–1945'', Stroud: Sutton Publishing, p. 50.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/RAC.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103220415/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/RAC.htm|title=Royal Armoured Corps [UK]|archive-date=3 January 2006|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> However, 111 RAC was disbanded in November 1943 and 5th Manchesters reconstituted as an infantry battalion. In the summer of 1944, the battalion acted as the Royal Bodyguard at [[Balmoral Castle]] while the [[British Royal Family|Royal Family]] was in residence and then served as a machine-gun battalion with [[55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division]] until the end of the war.<ref>[http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/history/territorial1939#5 Manchester Territorials]</ref><ref>Joslen, p. 90.</ref>

[[File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H12824.jpg|thumb|right|Men of the Manchester Regiment manning a [[Vickers machine gun]], [[Southern Command (United Kingdom)|Southern Command]], 16 August 1941.]]

In November 1941, the 2/9th Manchesters, a 2nd Line [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] duplicate of the 1/9th and a Machine Gun Battalion, was transferred to the [[Royal Artillery]] and converted into the 88th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. (Sometime after this, the 1/9th Battalion was redesignated as the 9th Battalion.) The 88th Anti-Tank Regiment was part of the [[49th (West Riding) Infantry Division]] until July 1943 when it transferred elsewhere and, in January 1944, the regiment was transferred to [[45th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|45th (Holding) Division]] where it converted to the 88th Training Regiment, Royal Artillery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/anti-tank-regiments/88-anti-tank-regiment-rata |title=The Royal Artillery 1939–45 |page=88 Anti-Tank Regiment RA(TA) }}</ref>

The 6th Battalion, created on 31 July 1939 as a duplicate of the 5th Battalion, was serving as part of the [[199th (Manchester) Brigade|199th Infantry Brigade]], initially part of the [[66th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|66th Infantry Division]], alongside the 7th Manchesters and the 2/8th Battalion of the [[Lancashire Fusiliers]]. On 23 June 1940, the 66th Division was disbanded and the 199th Brigade was transferred to the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division. On 5 May 1942, the battalion was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, to replace the original battalion, which had been [[Battle of Singapore|lost at Singapore]] in February.<ref name=regiments>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/063-1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060107081944/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/063-1.htm|title=1st Bn, The Manchester Regiment: Service|archive-date=7 January 2006|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> In October 1943, the new 1st Battalion transferred to the [[53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division]], where it was to remain for the rest of the war. On 27 June 1944, the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment landed in France, 21 days after the [[Invasion of Normandy|initial invasion had begun]] on 6 June, [[Normandy landings|D-Day]]. With the rest of the 53rd Division, the battalion saw fierce fighting in the [[Operation Overlord|Battle of Normandy]] and took part in a number of engagements in the area around [[Caen]], scene of much [[Battle for Caen|bitter fighting]], which was [[Operation Charnwood|captured by British and Canadian forces on 9 July]], and later fought in the [[Falaise pocket|Battle of Falaise]].<ref name=vickers>{{cite web|url=http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk/units-manchester.htm|title=Manchester Regiment|publisher=Vickers Machine Gun|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref> The battalion [[Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine|advanced across Northern France]], reaching [[Antwerp]] in Belgium in early September. The 1st Manchesters, along with the rest of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, moved to [[Turnhout]], before advancing later that month into the Netherlands, where the 1st and 7th Manchesters saw heavy action, with the 7th, now as part of the [[52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division]], fighting in the [[Battle of the Scheldt]] under command of the [[First Canadian Army]]. The 1st Manchesters, after [[Western Allied invasion of Germany|entering German territory]] in the face of the Wehrmacht's defences, [[Operation Plunder|crossed the Rhine]] with the 53rd Division in late March.<ref name=vickers/> The 7th Manchesters with 52nd Division saw its last fighting in [[Bremen]], when that city was captured on 26 April. The 1st Battalion ended the war in [[Hamburg]] when that city surrendered on 3 May.<ref name=nam/>

The 8th (Ardwick) Battalion had been serving alongside the 5th Manchesters in the 127th Brigade of the 42nd Division until 5 May 1940, when the battalion was transferred to [[Crown Colony of Malta|Malta]] and was replaced in the brigade by the 1st Highland Light Infantry, a Regular Army unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/42-Infantry-Division-1939-.pdf|title=42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division|publisher=British Military History|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194920/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/42-Infantry-Division-1939-.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August, the battalion became part of the [[232nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|Northern Infantry Brigade]], later redesignated 2nd Malta Infantry Brigade and, finally, [[232nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|232nd Infantry Brigade]]. In late July 1943, the 8th Manchesters was transferred to the [[20th Indian Infantry Brigade]], part of the [[10th Indian Infantry Division]], then serving in the [[Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II|Middle East]]. Both the 8th and 9th Manchesters took part in the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian campaign]]. The 9th Battalion was part of the [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Indian Infantry Division]] and later, from 15 July 1944 until 31 August 1945, formed the Support Battalion of the [[46th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|British 46th Infantry Division]]. The 9th Manchesters saw much action during the [[Gothic Line|Battles for the Gothic Line]] in August–September 1944, including the [[Montegridolfo|Battle of Montegridolfo]]. After service in Greece during the [[Greek Civil War|civil war]] and a return to Italy for the last weeks of the campaign there, it reached [[Graz]], Austria by the end of the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/index.asp?page=full&mwsquery=(%7BPerson%20identity%7D=%7BNicholson,%20LJ%7D)|title=Leslie James Nicholson|publisher=The men behind the medals|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

===Far East===
[[File:Vickers machine-gun of the 1st Manchester Regiment.jpg|thumb|right|Vickers machine-gun of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment, 17 October 1941, Malaya]]
Stationed in [[Singapore]] from 1938, the 1st Battalion, Manchesters, as part of the [[2nd Malaya Infantry Brigade]], saw action during the [[Malayan Campaign|Japanese invasion]] of the island in February 1942. After a bitter defence, [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Arthur Percival]] signed the [[Battle of Singapore|surrender of Singapore]] on 15 February. About 80,000 British and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] personnel became [[prisoner of war|POWs]] of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]]. The 1st Battalion was reformed in the [[United Kingdom]] by the redesignation of the 6th Battalion.<ref name=regiments/>

In 1942, the 2nd Manchesters was sent to the [[Indian sub-continent|sub-continent]] with the rest of the British 2nd Infantry Division, being stationed first in [[British Raj|British India]], then Burma in 1944. The battalion was involved in the [[Battle of Kohima]] in fierce fighting with the Japanese. It fought in subsequent [[Burma Campaign 1944–45|actions in Burma]] until April 1945, when it returned to India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/publication/9226|title=The Battle for Kohima, 1944 the narrative of the 2nd Battalion the Manchester Regiment the Machine Gun Battalion of the British 2nd Division|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

==Postwar==
The 1st Manchesters remained in Germany as part of the [[British Army of the Rhine]] (BAOR) until it returned to Britain in 1947, where it was joined by the 2nd Battalion. On 1 June 1948, the two battalions amalgamated in the presence of the regiment's colonel-in-chief, [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth]].<ref name="germany">Mileham (2000), pp. 183–4.</ref> Soon afterwards, the 1st Battalion was posted to Germany, being first based at [[Wuppertal]]. On the regiment joining the [[West Berlin]] garrison in 1950, detachments performed guard duty at [[Spandau Prison]].<ref name="germany"/> The battalion proceeded, in 1951, to [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]] aboard the troopship ''Empire Hallande''. In three years of service during the [[Malayan Emergency]], the Manchesters had 15 men [[killed in action]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themanchesters.org/malaya.htm|title=The Manchester Regiment 1899–1958: Germany and Malaya|publisher=The Manchesters|access-date=10 January 2016}}</ref>

With the exception of a brief return to Britain, the 1st Battalion, Manchesters remained part of BAOR until 1958. In the same year, the regiment was amalgamated with the [[King's Regiment (Liverpool)]] to create the [[King's Regiment]].<ref>Mileham (2000), p.193.</ref>

==Heritage & ceremonial==
===Regimental museum===
The Museum of the Manchester Regiment, which had previously been based at Ladysmith Barracks, moved to [[Ashton Town Hall]] in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/#:~:text=This%20website%20tells%20the%20stories,%2C%20Ashton%2Dunder%2DLyne.|title=Museum of the Manchester Regiment|publisher=The Men Behind the Medals|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> The museum remains closed while the town hall is being redeveloped.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/|title=Museum of the Manchester Regiment|publisher=Tameside Council|access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref>

===Regimental collect===

The regimental [[collect]] was:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/2356|title=The Regimental Handbook of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment|year=2007|publisher=The Regimental Charity of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment|page=8|access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref>

O Lord our God whose name only is excellent and thy praise above heaven and earth we thank thee for the men of the Manchester Regiment who counted not their lives dear unto themselves but laid them down for their friends, beseeching thee to give them a part in those good things which thou has prepared for all whose names are written in the Book of Life. And grant to us that having them always in remembrance we may imitate their faithfulness and with them inherit, the new name which thou has promised to them that overcome; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen.

===Battle honours===
The battle honours of the regiment were as follows:<ref name=regiments/>
*''From the 63rd Regiment of Foot'': [[Battle of Alkmaar (1799)|Egmont-op-Zee]], [[Invasion of Martinique (1809)|Martinique 1809]], [[Invasion of Guadeloupe (1810)|Guadeloupe 1810]], [[Battle of Alma|Alma]], [[Battle of Inkerman|Inkerman]], [[Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855)|Sevastopol]], [[Second Anglo-Afghan War|Afghanistan 1879–80]]
*''From the 96th Regiment of Foot'': [[French campaign in Egypt and Syria|Egypt]], [[Peninsular War|Peninsula]], [[Flagstaff War|New Zealand]]
*[[Invasion of Guadeloupe (1759)|Guadeloupe 1759]], [[Anglo-Egyptian War (1882)|Egypt 1882]], [[Siege of Ladysmith|Defence of Ladysmith]], [[Second Boer War|South Africa 1899–1902]]
*''The Great War'':
**''Western Front'':[[Battle of Mons|Mons]], [[Battle of Le Cateau|Le Cateau]], [[Retreat from Mons]], [[First Battle of the Marne|Marne 1914]], [[First Battle of the Aisne|Aisne 1914]], [[Battle of La Bassée|La Bassée 1914]], [[Battle of Armentières|Armentières 1914]], [[Battle of Givenchy|Givenchy 1914]], [[Battle of Neuve Chapelle|Neuve Chapelle]], [[Second Battle of Ypres|Ypres 1915]] [[Third Battle of Ypres|17]] [[Fourth Battle of Ypres|'18]], [[Battle of Gravenstafel|Gravenstafel]], [[Battle of St. Julien|St. Julien]], [[Battle of Frezenberg|Frezenberg]], [[Battle of Bellewaarde|Bellewaarde]], [[Battle of Aubers|Aubers]], [[Battle of the Somme (1916)|Somme 1916]] [[Second Battle of the Somme (1918)|'18]], [[Battle of Albert (1916)|Albert 1916]] [[Battle of Albert (1918)|'18]], [[Battle of Bazentin|Bazentin]], [[Battle of Delville Wood|Delville Wood]], [[Battle of Guillemont|Guillemont]], [[Battle of Flers-Courcelette|Flers-Courcelette]], [[Battle of Thiepval|Thiepval]], [[Battle of Le Transloy|Le Transloy]], [[Battle of the Ancre Heights|Ancre Heights]], [[Battle of Ancre|Ancre 1916 '18]], [[Battle of Arras (1917)|1917]] [[Battle of Arras (1918)|'18]], [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Scarpe 1917]], [[Battle of Bullecourt|Bullecourt]], [[Battle of Messines (1917)|Messines 1917]], [[Battle of Pilckem|Pilckem]], Langemarck 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, [[Battle of Rosières|Rosières]], [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Lys]], Kemmel, [[Battle of Amiens (1918)|Amiens]], Hindenburg Line, Épéhy, Canal du Nord, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Cambrai 1918, Courtrai, Selle, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18
**''Italy'': Piave, Vittorio Veneto, Italy 1917–18
**''Macedonia'': Doiran 1917, Macedonia 1915–18
**''Gallipoli'': Helles, Krithia, Suvla, Landing at Suvla, Scimitar Hill, Gallipoli 1915 
**''Egypt and Palestine'': Rumani, Egypt 1915–17, Megiddo, Sharon, Palestine 1918 
**''[[Mesopotamian campaign|Mesopotamia]]'': [[Tigris 1916 (Battle honour)|Tigris 1916]], Kut al Amara 1917, Baghdad, Mesopotamia 1916–18
*''The Second World War'':
**''North-west Europe'': Dyle, Withdrawal to Escaut, Defence of Escaut, Defence of Arras, [[Battle of St Omer-La Bassée|St. Omer-La Bassée]], Ypres-Comines Canal, [[Battle for Caen|Caen]], Esquay, [[Falaise Pocket|Falaise]], Nederrijn, Scheldt, Walcheren Causeway, Flushing, Lower Maas, Venlo Pocket, Roer, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Goch, Weeze, Rhine, Ibbenburen, Dreirwalde, Aller, Bremen, North-West Europe 1940 '44–45 
**''Italy'': [[Gothic Line]], Monte Gridolfo, Coriano, San Clemente, Gemmano Ridge, Montilgallo, Capture of Forli, Lamone Crossing, Defence of Lamone Bridgehead, Rimini Line, Montescudo, Cesena, Italy 1944 
**''Mediterranean'': Malta 1940 
**''Far East'': Singapore Island, Malaya 1941–42, North Arakan, Kohima, Pinwe, Shwebo, Myinmu Bridgehead, Irrawaddy, Burma 1944–45

===Colonels-in-Chief===
Colonels-in-Chief were:<ref name=regts/>
*1930–1936: [[George V|King George V]]
*1947–2002: [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|LG|LT|CI|ONZ|GCVO|GBE|CC|GStJ|RRC|CD}}

===Regimental Colonels===
Colonels of the regiment were:<ref name=regts>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm |title=Manchester Regiment |publisher=regiments.org |access-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216183328/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm |archive-date=16 December 2007 }}</ref>
*1877–1881 (1st Battalion): Gen. Sir [[Richard Waddy]] (ex 63rd Foot)
*1877–1881 (2nd Battalion): Gen. [[Thomas Maitland Wilson]] (ex 96th Foot)
*1881–1889: Gen. [[Edmund Richard Jeffreys]], CB
*1889–1895: Gen. [[John McNeill Walter]], CB
*1895–1899: Lt-Gen. Sir Henry Radford Norman, KCB
*1899–1904: Lt-Gen. Vere Hunt Bowles
*1904–1920: Maj-Gen. William Osborne Barnard
*1920–1924: Maj-Gen. Sir [[Vere Bonamy Fane]], KCB, KCIE
*1924–1925: Maj-Gen. Sir [[Willoughby Gwatkin|Willoughby Garnons Gwatkin]], KCMG, CB
*1925–1932: Gen. Hon. Sir [[Herbert Lawrence|Herbert Alexander Lawrence]], GCB 
*1932–1935: Brig-Gen. Wilfrid Keith Evans, CMG, DSO
*1934–1947: Col. [[Francis Holland Dorling]], DSO
*1947–1948: Maj-Gen. Charles Dawson Moorhead, CB, DSO, MC
*1948–1954: Maj-Gen. Eric Boyd Costin, DSO
*1954–1958: Maj-Gen. Thomas Bell Lindsay Churchill, CB, CBE, MC (to [[King's Regiment]])
*1958: Regiment merged with the [[King's Regiment (Liverpool)]] to form [[The King's Regiment (Manchester and Liverpool)]]

==Manchester Regiment Victoria Cross recipients==

===Second Boer War===
* [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[James Pitts (VC recipient)|James Pitts]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC|MSM}} - (1st Battalion) in [[Colony of Natal|Natal]] on 6th January 1900.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27338|page=4949|date=26 July 1901}}</ref>
* [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[Robert Scott (VC recipient)|Robert Scott]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (1st Battalion) in [[Colony of Natal|Natal]] on 6th January 1900.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27338|page=4949|date=26 July 1901}}</ref>
===First World War===
* [[Sergeant]] [[John Hogan (VC)|John Hogan]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (2nd Battalion) at [[Festubert]], [[France]], on 29 October 1914.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29015|page=10920 |date=22 December 1914}}</ref>
* [[Second lieutenant]] [[James Leach (VC)|James Leach]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (2nd Battalion) at [[Festubert]] [[France]] in the First World War on 29 October 1914.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29015|page=10920 |date=22 December 1914  }}</ref>
* [[Corporal]] [[Issy Smith]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (1st Battalion) at the [[Second Battle of Ypres]] on 26 April 1915.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29272|date=20 August 1915|page=8374|supp=y}}</ref>
* [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|Lieutenant]] [[William Forshaw]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (1/9th Battalion [[Territorial Force]]) at the [[Battle of Krithia Vineyard]] in [[Gallipoli]] between 7 and 9 August 1915.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29289|date=7 September 1915|page=8971|supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=William Thomas Forshaw |url=http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/index.asp?page=full&mwsquery=(%7BPerson%20identity%7D=%7BForshaw,%20WT%7D) |website=The Museum of the Manchester Regiment |access-date=5 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=William Thomas Forshaw |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/william-t-forshaw-vc/4586728354.html |website=Victoria Cross Online |access-date=5 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[George Stringer]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}}  at the [[Battle of Es Sinn]] in [[Mesopotamia]] on 8 March 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=29695|date=4 August 1916  |page=7744|supp=y }}</ref>
* [[Company sergeant major|CSM]] [[George Evans (VC)|George Evans]]  {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (18th Battalion [[Manchester Pals|3rd Manchester Pals]]) during the [[Battle of the Somme]] at [[Guillemont]] [[France]] on 30 July 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31759|date=27 January 1920 |page=1217|supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sergeant Major George Evans VC |url=https://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/sergeant-major-george-evans-vc-1 |website=London Remembers |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=William John George Evans |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/george-evans-vc/4586649155.html |website=Victoria Cross Online |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Sergeant]] [[Charles Harry Coverdale]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC|MM}} - (11th Battalion) at [[Langemark-Poelkapelle|Poelcapelle]] [[Belgium]] on 4 October 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30433|supp=y|page=13222|date=14 December 1917 }}</ref>
* [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[Walter Mills (VC)|Walter Mills]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (C Company 1/10th Battalion) at Red Dragon Crater near [[Givenchy-en-Gohelle|Givenchy]] [[France]] on 11 December 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30523|supp=y |date=12 February 1918 |page=2005}}</ref>
* [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Wilfrith Elstob]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC|DSO|MC}} - (16th Battalion) at the Manchester Redoubt, near [[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|St. Quentin]] [[France]] on 21 March 1918.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31395|date=6 June 1919 |page=7419}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wilfrith Elstob |url=http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/index.asp?page=full&mwsquery=({Person%20identity}={Elstob,%20W}) |website=The Museum of the Manchester Regiment |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[Alfred Robert Wilkinson]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (1/5th Battalion [[Territorial Force]]) at the [[Battle of the Selle]], near the [[Selle (Somme tributary)|Selle River]] [[France]] on 20 October 1918.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31108|supp=y|page=309|date=4 January 1919}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alfred Wilkinson VC |url=https://www.tameside.gov.uk/MuseumsandGalleries/Life-of-the-Month-Alfred-Wilkinson-VC |website=Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council  |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alfred Robert Wilkinson |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/alfred-r-wilkinson-vc/4588535995.html |website=Victoria Cross Online |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Private (rank)|Private]] [[James Kirk (VC)|James Kirk]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC}} - (10th Battalion) at the [[Battle of the Sambre (1918)|Battle of the Sambre]] at the [[Sambre|River Sambre]] [[France]] on 4 November 1918.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31108|supp=y|page=307|date=4 January 1919}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=James Kirk VC |url=https://www.stockport.gov.uk/profile/james-kirk-vc |website=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council  |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=James Kirk |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/james-kirk-vc/4587323788.html |website=Victoria Cross Online |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=James Kirk VC Blue Plaque |url=https://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque/jameskirkvc |website=Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council  |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=James Kirk VC Biography |url=https://vcgca.org/our-people/profile/865/James-KIRK |website=The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association  |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
===1920 Iraqi Revolt===
* [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] [[George Stuart Henderson]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|VC|DSO*|MC}} - (2nd Battalion) during the [[1920 Iraqi Revolt]] near [[Hillah]] [[Mesopotamia]] on 24 July 1920.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue= 32106|date=29 October 1920|page=10579|supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=George Stuart Henderson |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/george-s-henderson-vc/4586970758.html |website=Victoria Cross Online |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=George Stuart Henderson |url=http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/index.asp?page=full&mwsquery=({Person%20identity}={Henderson,%20GS}) |website=The Museum of the Manchester Regiment |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{Notelist}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin|2}}
* A. F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2a: The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56)'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1935/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
* A. F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 2b: The 2nd-Line Territorial Force Divisions (57th–69th), with the Home-Service Divisions (71st–73rd) and 74th and 75th Divisions,'' London: HM Stationery Office, 1937/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-39-8.
* A. F. Becke,''History of the Great War: Order of Battle of Divisions, Part 3a: New Army Divisions (9–26)'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1938/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2007, ISBN 1-847347-41-X.
*{{Cite book|last=Frederick|first=J. B. M.|title=Lineage of British Land Forces 1668 - 1978, Volume I|publisher=Microform Academic Publishers|year=1984|isbn=1-85117-007-3|location=[[Wakefield]], [[United Kingdom]]}}
*{{cite book|last=Forty|first=George |title=British Army Handbook 1939–1945|publisher=Stroud: Sutton Publishing|year= 1998|isbn= 0-7509-1403-3}}
* Frederick E. Gibbon, ''The 42nd East Lancashire Division 1914–1918'', London: Country Life, 1920/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2003, ISBN 1-84342-642-0.
* {{cite book|last=Green|first=Andrew|title=Writing the Great War: Sir James Edmonds and the Official Histories, 1915–1948|publisher=Routledge|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7146-5495-9}}
* {{Cite book|last=Holmes|first=Richard|title=The Little Field Marshal: A Life of Sir John French|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|year=2004|isbn=0-297-84614-0}}
* E. A. James, ''British Regiments 1914–18'', London: Samson Books, 1978/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, {{ISBN|978-1-84342-197-9}}.
* {{Joslen-OOB}}
* {{cite book|last=Keegan|first=John|title=The First World War|publisher=Vintage Books USA|year=1999}}
* {{cite book|last=Mileham|first= Patrick |year=2000|title=Difficulties Be Damned: The King's Regiment—A History of the City Regiment of Manchester and Liverpool|publisher=Fleur de Lys |isbn=1-873907-10-9}}
* Joseph Morris, ''The German Air Raids on Great Britain 1914–1918'', first published 1925/Stroud: Nonsuch, 2007, {{ISBN|978-1-84588-379-9}}.
* ''Instructions Issued by The War Office During August, 1914'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1916.
* ''Army Council Instructions Issued During August 1916'', London: HM Stationery Office.

===External links===
* [http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk Chris Baker, ''The Long, Long Trail'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070609080234/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm The Manchester Regiment Group 1899–1958]
* [https://ashtonpals.com/home-page The Ashton Territorials, 9th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment]
* [http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/history/territorial1939 Museum of the Manchester Regiment]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070609080234/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm "IN FROM THE COLD" A Manchester at Gallipoli. Sgt. Thomas Worthington, 1/6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, by John Hartley]
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609080234/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/063Manch.htm |date=9 June 2007 |title=The Manchester Regiment at regiments.org by T.F.Mills }}

===Further reading===
{{Commons category|Manchester Regiment}}
* {{cite book |last=Triplet |first=William S. |date=2000 |chapter=Chapter 4: The Seventieth Manchester Rifles |editor-last=Ferrell |editor-first=Robert H. |editor-link=Robert Hugh Ferrell |title=A Youth in the Meuse-Argonne |location=Columbia, Missouri |publisher=[[University of Missouri Press]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/youthinmeuseargo00trip/page/44 44–57] |isbn=0-8262-1290-5 |lccn=00029921 |oclc=43707198 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/youthinmeuseargo00trip/page/44 }}
{{refend}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box |
  before=[[63rd Regiment of Foot]]<br>[[96th Regiment of Foot]] |
  title= Manchester Regiment|
  years= 1881–1958 |
  after= [[King's Regiment]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Duke of Lancaster's Regiment}}
{{British infantry regiments World War I}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Manchester Regiment| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1881]]
[[Category:The King's Regiment]]
[[Category:History of Manchester]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Manchester]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War I]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1958]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Burma in World War II|R]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in British Malaya in World War II|R]]