Their earlier history hardly emerges from parochialism. Founded in 1859 and recruited mainly from the southerly suburbs of Manchester, the Battalion lived through the common vicissitudes of the English Volunteer unit. It knew the ridicule and disparagement of the hypercritical and cosmopolitan, the too easy praise of the hurried inspecting general, the enthusiasm of the camp fire, the chill of the wet afternoon on a wintry rifle range at Crowden. The South African War gave many a chance of active service, and infused more serious and systematic training in the routine of the yearly Whitsuntide camps. At that time everything depended on the Regular officer who acted as adjutant, and officers and men owed much to the inspiring energy of Captain (now Colonel) W. P. E. Newbigging, C. M. G. , D. S. O. , of the Manchesters, whose adjutancy (1902-1907) meant a great step in their efficiency. The letter 'Q', which signifies success in all examinations required by the War Office, figured in the Army List after most of our officers' names during this vivid and strenuous phase. For the rest, the pre-War period turned mainly on the fortnightly camps and occasional Regimental exercises. Salisbury Plain, the Isle of Man, Aldershot and a few North Country areas are full of memories of manœuvre and recreation in a peaceful age. Regimental exercises filled weekends in Cheshire or the West Riding.
Tags in Biographies & Memoirs : With Manchesters in the East Gerald Berkeley Hurst ebook , With Manchesters in the East Gerald Berkeley Hurst epub , With Manchesters in the East Gerald Berkeley Hurst AUDIOBOOK , With Manchesters in the East by Gerald Berkeley Hurst ePub (.epub) , With Manchesters in the East book review , Biographies & Memoirs
