Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun Outing To Memorial Stone Ceremony

This Day In History

1707 War of the Spanish Succession. After two months of siege, to avoid further pointless bloodshed, the garrison of the fortress of Lerida (now Lleida) in Spain beats the chamade as the French are about to make their final assault. 600 emaciated survivors of the original garrison of 1800, who had been reduced to living on oatmeal, rice and water, march out under arms and with the full honours of war. They are followed by a similar number of sick and wounded in carts supplied by the victors. Amongst them are several much-reduced companies of Wills' Marines (later 30th Foot, and then 1st East Lancashires), led by the by-then Major General Wills. All are complimented by the enemy commander, the Duc d'Orleans, on their gallant defence
1857 Indian Mutiny. Relief of Lucknow. 82nd Regiment (later 2nd South Lancashires) engage in desperate fighting in the advance to the Martiniere College. The silver-chased "Rajah's Bed Post" staff which is now one of the Museum's most treasured exhibits was captured on this day.
1945 Battleship HMS Nelson reaches Portsmouth carrying 2nd Loyals colours, colour belts and some mess plate. They had been found 2 months earlier in bank vaults in Singapore, where they had remained undiscovered by the Japanese since the capitulation in 1942. They are carried to Preston, where one month later they are ceremonially paraded through the town

Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun Outing To Memorial Stone Ceremony

Published 18/06/2017 | By RogerG

On 14 June 2017 Museum Trustees Roger Goodwin, David Rogan and Gareth Wright took the Ratcliffe VC Machine Gun to the ceremony in Liverpool to unveil the memorial pavement to William (Billy) Ratcliffe VC – the Docker VC. It was 100 years to the day since Billy captured the German gun in the action for which he was awarded the VC. Members of his family were present to see him honoured. It was the first time the Ratcliffe Machine Gun had left the Museum since its arrival over 30 years ago. Pictures by Chris Vere.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool unveils the Ratcliffe Memorial Stone at Liverpool Parish Church

The Ratcliffe Memorial Stone

The Museum’s party with the Ratcliffe Machine Gun

Trustee Roger Goodwin presents the Ratcliffe VC machine gun

Posted in News

Comments are closed.

This is not an official MOD/Army web site.
Published by the Trustees of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment Lancashire Infantry Museum without the use of public funds. This website does not represent the views or policies of the MOD, or The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. The MOD/Army neither provides control, direction, nor any resources or funding for the site. The Duke of Lancashire's Regiment Lancashire Infantry Museum is a Registered Charity No. 276150