Bolton Rifles
| Bolton Rifles 5th Bn, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) 18th Bn, Reconnaissance Corps 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment, RAC |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1859 – 1992 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Territorial Army
|
| Role | Infantry Reconnaissance |
| Size | Battalion (WWI: 4 Battalions; WWII: 2 Battalions) |
| Part of |
Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) Reconnaissance Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Bolton |
| Engagements |
2nd Boer War
WWII: |
| 5th Loyals | |
 5th Loyals entering Cambrai, 10 October 1918
|
2nd Boer War
WWI:
WWII:
The Bolton Rifles, later the 5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was a volunteer unit of the British Army from 1859 until 1967. It served on the Western Front during World War I and in the Far East during World War II, when one battalion was captured at the Fall of Singapore.
The enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement following an invasion scare in 1859 saw the creation of many Rifle Volunteer Corps (RVCs) composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular British Army in time of need. One such unit was the 3rd Sub-Division of Lancashire Rifle Volunteers formed at Bolton, Lancashire, on 2 December 1859 following meetings at Little Bolton Town Hall on 13 July and 15 November. Generally known locally as The Bolton Rifles, it was named the 27th Lancashire RVC in February 1860, by which time it consisted of four companies (at Bolton, Deane, Farnworth and Kearsley) commanded by Major William Gray, with a headquarters at a rented house in Crook Street. It had increased to six companies headquartered in Bridge Street by 1861, when Gray was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and eight by 1863, headquartered at the old workhouse in Fletcher Street. The smaller 82nd Lancashire RVC (raised at Hindley on 14 June 1861) was attached to it. The Bolton Rifles' uniform was originally light grey with green facings and a grey cap, later changing to scarlet with green facings and regulation spiked helmet.
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Wikipedia