Lancashire & Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery

Lancashire & Cheshire R.G.A.

This Corps was formed in June 1859 and was known at that time as Brown’s Corps, under Command of Captain (afterwards Lieut. Colonel) Sir Wm. Brown, M.P. — then Headquarters under Brown Library and Museum.

In the year 1861, this was formed into an Administrative Brigade, having also outlying stations in addition to those Headquarters, 6th, 11th, 13th & 14th Batteries. This Corps however subsequently became the 7th Brigade L.V.A.

In 1868 the Headquarters of the Battery removed to Law Hill, which has since been, and at the present time is, the home of the Corps.

In the year 1898 the Brigade became the 1st L.V.A. Volunteers, and in the year 1908 it was enrolled as a unit in the Territorial Force under its present title — viz. The Lancashire & Cheshire R.G.A. (two companies). The 17th Cheshire R.G.A. Volunteers having been attached thereto. The Headquarters of the latter unit being at that time at Magazine Road, New Brighton, but have recently been removed to Broughton, R. Seacombe.

At the present time the Corps consists of eight Companies, 4 Companies being at No. 19 Law Hill, two Companies at Barrow-in-Furness, and two at Broughton & Seacombe.

The two Companies at Barrow were raised last year 1910, being principally recruited from the Works of Vickers, Son and Maxim Ltd and the Furness Railway Co.

For twenty-five years, the Corps has taken part in competitions and carried off many valuable prizes from time to time, amongst which was the “Sultan Memorial Challenge Cup.”

In 1860 the Battery were present by the invitation of the Earl of Derby at the Knowsley Review and also at the King’s Review at the same place 1900.

Find rare and collectible cap badges of R.G.A., and other units in our cap badges collection.

The Lancashire & Cheshire R.G.A. (Volunteers) became a defended-ports unit under the Territorial Force in 1908, combining parts of the 1st Lancashire RGA (V) and the 1st Cheshire RGA (V). 

After World War II, the coastal artillery branch of the Royal Artillery was abolished in 1956. At that point, 420 (Lancashire & Cheshire) Coast Regiment, the post-war descendant of the original unit, was broken up. 

1956 the coastal artillery units were disbanded, and Q and R Batteries of 420 Regiment were converted into 253 and 624 Squadrons of the Royal Engineers, before those were eventually disbanded in 1961.

Find rare and collectible insignia of the R.G.A., and other units in our British Uniform Insignia collection.