FRIENDS LECTURE FRIDAY 20TH MAY - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT'S CONTEMPTIBLES?
7th May 2011

Menin Crossroads

In a change to our advertised programme Dr Edward Nicholl will trace the lives of the officers and men who served with the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment during the First World War.

Two photographs that can be found in the Green Howards Museum have been the starting point for research into the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment who embarked for Belgium in October 1914, and who took part in the First Battle of Ypres.

The battalion suffered grievous casualties in this battle, with very high numbers of men killed, wounded, or captured. Survivors of the First Battle of Ypres who remained to fight on continued to suffer as the war went on, so that only a very few survivors could be found when the war ended. An attempt has been made to try and establish the accuracy of quoted figures for the number of these survivors.

In carrying out this research, some remarkable stories of the men who took part in the First Battle of Ypres have been found. Amongst these were two officers, who lived for just 1 week and 3 weeks respectively from the dates of their being commissioned from the ranks. The officer who survived for just 1 week was not only commissioned from the rank of Private, but was also under-age for overseas service in any case!

The stories of the officers and men who took part in the First Battle of Ypres is told with the help of the painting "Holding the Menin Cross Roads" by Matania. This painting has recently been restored, and is now hung in the Normanby Room of the Green Howards Museum. Those attending the lecture will not only be able to view the painting at first hand, but will be given a brief guided tour of some the officers and men of the Yorkshire Regiment who feature in the painting!

The Lecture will begin at 7pm and takes place in the Normanby Room at the Green Howards Museum. Tickets for the lecture cost £3.50 if booked in advance, £4.00 on the door. To book a ticket email shop@greenhowards.org.uk or telephone 01748 826561

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