Records of the Old Isle of Man Volunteers Comrades' Association

The content consists of a minute book, an account book, a member booklet, an address book, correspondence and material relating to reunion meetings/dinners. Other material includes a company roll book, copies of the 1st Manx Service Company Roll of Honour, list of names if the platoons in the 1st Manx Service Company, Isle of Man Volunteers scoring card (November 1918), remembrance cards and material relating to the history of the 1st Manx Service Company. A copy of Mona Douglas’ poem ‘Manx Call to Arms (specifically composed for Lady Raglan’s tea, 19 August 1916), a plate of a photo of the 1st Manx Service Company Roll of Honour (March 1959), a photo of Captain Gateley’s grave, a map of Braddan cemetery and grave plots (including a list of names of soldiers buried), newspaper cuttings (including photocopies) and The Oak Tree: Journal of the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment are present within the deposit.

The Old Isle of Man Volunteers Comrades' Association was a group formed after the First World War by members of the 1st Manx Service Company. In 1914 the only military unit in the Isle of Man (except for King William’s College Officers’ Training Corps) was one company of the Isle of Man Volunteers (formerly 7th Volunteers Battalion Kings Regiment, Liverpool). A second and third company of the Volunteers were formed in August and December 1914 and it was from these three companies that the 1st Manx Service Company was formed. In March 1915 the newly formed company was posted to the 16th Battalion King’s Regiment (Liverpool) and by October 1915 transferred to the 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment. The 1st Manx Service Company embarked on campaigns in Salonika (and upon arrival the company became ‘A’ Company of the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment; a regular battalion which formed part of the 84th Brigade, 28th Division) from 1915 to 1918. After Armistice (November 1918) the Manx Company was stationed at Gallipoli doing garrison duty and it was from here the men were gradually demobilized. Demobilization meant an end to the 1st Manx Service Company as a military unit; however its members formed the Old Isle of Man Volunteers Comrades' Association to keep its members together by socializing, holding annual reunions and re-telling the stories of their time in action.

No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material.

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The biographical information was gathered from the Manx newspaper Mona's Herald (23 February 1965). Isle of Man newspapers available online at http://www.newspapers.gov.im/Default/Skins/IOMDemo/Client.asp?skin=IOMDemo&enter=true&AppName=2.

Fonds-level description created by Eleanor Williams (MNH Project Archivist), January 2016.