In 1873 the territorial basis of the Army recruiting was reorganised and this was further confirmed on the 1st July 1881 when the old Regiments of Foot were linked and redesignated as follows:

30th -1st Bn The East Lancashire Regiment    –   Depot Burnley

59th -2nd Bn The East Lancashire Regiment   –  (Preston from 1889)

40th -1st Bn The South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers) Depot Warrington

82nd -2nd Bn The South Lancashire Regiment  (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers)

47th -1st Bn The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Depot Preston

81st -2nd Bn The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

 Lancashire’s Militia and Volunteer units were also linked to the new County Regiments. It is of interest to note that at the time of this reorganisation the 40th were entitle to bear 19 battle honours, more than any other Regiment entitled to carry colours except the 1st Foot.

 Chitral. The first active service after reorganisation was when the 1st East Lancashires took part in the relief of Chitral on the North West Frontier of India in 1895.

Chapter 12 | Chapter 14