Tameside Archives - worth a visit?

[John W]

Hi,
Not posted for a while due to infrequent internet access but I was wondering if the Tameside Archives are worth a look. They sent me this link http://www.a2a.org.uk/ but under 'Manchester Regiment' I didn't find a fat lot. I'll be travelling up from the south coast on my leave and aim to visit what's left of the Depot at Ashton-under-Lyne (the main gate I think) and a couple of other sites round Oldham.

Cheers!

[harribobs]

Depot gates (around 1970 i think)

[sphinx]

John,

The Regimental Archives held at Tameside Local Studies Library in Ashton-under-Lyne are an absolute treasure trove of information on the various Battalions of the Regiment throughout their history.
The archives are vast, but well indexed.
If you are planning a special trip it would be advisable for you to have an action plan on what you wish to research, otherwise you will probably be overwhelmed by the variety of information, photographs and other ephemera.
You will find the ladies who work there very accomodating and helpful.

Can I suggest you ring them first, explain your lengthy journey and ask if they could prepare some boxes for your arrival.

regards

[tisgrannie]

Hi its a shame you can't plan it around the lecture at the Museum. You  could have met a couple of the gradely folk up here!You could also visit Ardwick Barracks possibly. Not sure how that is arranged. I'm sure Capt Bonner may know!
Best wishes
tisgrannie

[John W]

Many thanks fellas as always. I'll be looking for anything on:

6/Manchesters in SA 1902
1 Bn Manchesters Singapore/India 1904-1907
2 Bn Manchesters Aug 1914

Quite specific but I didn't see much about these in the link that I was sent by Maureen Burns, one of the assistants there. That main gate looks very depressing! What's at Ardwick Bks - I've not come across that name?

[sphinx]

John,

There is very little info on the 6th Militia Bn in S. Africa in 1902.

There is, however,  plenty on the 2nd Bn. throughout its history.

You have to search not under "2nd Bn." but under other titles such as personal letters, papers, photographs, Muster Rolls, Photograph albums.

Its there.

reagrds

[harribobs]

John

re singapore, you might like a look at Achibald Dicks photos :-

http://www.themanchesters.org/arch%20dicks.htm

[Robert Bonner]

John.
That is rather a depressing photo that Harribobs included of the old Ladysmith Barracks gateway. I can assure you that it does not look
like that nowadays.  The gateway and the extended barrack wall are now a scheduled historical monument in the care of Tameside MBC; the lawns in front are well tended and an explanatory notice board has recently been erected giving the history of the barracks plus some photographs.

Parking has to be in the carpark of 'The Heroes of Waterloo' immediately opposite but that also provides an excuse for a noggin of what takes your fancy.

At night the gateway is floodlit, giving a very impressive introduction to Ashton as  motorists come in from darkest Mossley.  (I shall get into trouble for that).

John, as Tis suggested, you might like to have a look at either the Ardwick Drill Hall ior the Ashton Armoury in which case send me an email on the forum net.