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Hierarchy Browser Number8001/16
TitleMilitary
DescriptionThese records comprise eighteenth and nineteenth century records concerning the militia in Worcester, predominantly of a financial nature and those concerning the mustering of men, with nineteenth and twentieth century documents about the history of the Worcestershire Regiment, war memorial services and property. There are also documents relating to Worcester during World War Two, most of which are general and incomplete runs relating to military fundraising, air raids and the Home Guard.

The Worcestershire Regiment has existed under one name or other since 1694, when it was established as Farrington's Foot, named after its Colonel. It was standard procedure to name a Regiment after its current Colonel, thus the Regiment's name changed a further seven times until 1751. This confusing and impractical system was changed in 1751 so that all regiments were numbered, and Worcestershire became the 29th Regiment. Counties were added to regiment names in 1781. In 1793 the Regiment was briefly converted into Marines.

A century later in 1881, the 29th Worcestershire and 36th Herefordshire Regiments were amalgamated as the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment. Worcester's Militia, which was raised in 1770 by the Earl of Coventry, became the 3rd and 4th battalions at the same time, later renumbered as the 5th and 6th when two extra regular battalions were created in 1908.

Men served for three years (pre-1786) or five years (1786 onwards). In peace time their committment could be only a few weeks per year, but during a war they could be based anywhere in Britain or Ireland for many months. Conscription ended in 1831 and consequently the militia after this was made up of volunteers.
Date1767-1950
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