Which regiment?

[lalkav]

This is a photo of recruits leaving Heckmondwike, W Yorks sometime during WW1. I would like to know which regiment the soldiers belong to.  Does anyone know if it is the Honourable Artillery Company as there was a 6th Heckmondwike battery? Many thanks.

[John915]

Good evening,

The Honorable Artillery Company were a territorial unit with 3 batteries in WW1. But they also formed 3 Field Batteries and 1 siege battery for the RFA and RGA respectively.

The picture looks like field artillery so possibly one of those 3 batteries.

John915

[mmm45]

No HAC in Heckmondwike just the TF Battery from West Riding Divisional Artillery.
If you are local to Heckmondwike they have a few booklets in the library with great war photos.

Ady

[ainslie]

The HAC was based in London and would have no link with Heckmondwike.  The uniforms look like earlier period than WW1, possibly 1908 when the Territorial Force was formed, replacing the old Volunteer movement.
The Heckmondwike artillery unit was the 6th West Riding Battery, part of the 2nd West Riding Brigade, which in 1914 became part of 49th Division, TF.  Their headquarters were in, surprise!, Artillery Street.
An expert may be able to identify the artillery pieces and date the photo more accurately.

A

[lalkav]

Many thanks for your replies, they've been really helpful.

[Radlad]

That photo was taken well before WW1. The uniforms are pre 1900, possibly as early as the 1880's