Manchester Regiment - Inter War Years

Inter War Years

In 1919, the 1st Manchesters returned to Britain for a year, later reinforcing the garrison in Ireland. In 1922 it garrisoned the Channel Islands before joining the British Army of the Rhine in Germany. It returned to Britain in 1927 and, in 1933, departed for the West Indies. After being posted to Egypt in 1936, the 1st Manchesters were converted into a Vickers machine-gun battalion. The battalion had to be rushed to the Mandate of Palestine when the Arab populace erupted in revolt. In difficult conditions, the battalion suffered four killed and contributed a number of men to the counter-insurgency Special Night Squads. In 1937, a company on detachment in Cyprus provided a special guard for the Coronation parade. In 1938 the battalion moved to Singapore.

Meanwhile, in 1920 the 2nd Manchesters became part of the garrison in Mesopotamia, which had been acquired by Britain as a mandate territory under the auspices of the League of Nations. During an action near Hillah, Captain Henderson reorganised his company who were wavering in the face of a large force of tribesmen, then led the company in three attacks against the tribesmen, being severely wounded in the second attack, though carrying on for the third and final counter-attack. He carried on fighting until he succumbed to a loss of blood and collapsed. Aided by one of his men, who helped him to stand, Henderson told his company, "I'm done now, don't let them beat you." He was shot again, killing him. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.

The battalion departed for India in 1922, where it remained until 1932. At the beginning of the Second World War, it was stationed in Britain.

Jack Churchill also served in this regiment.

On 31 October 1938, during the period of rearmament preceding the Second World War, the Territorial Army 10th Battalion was converted to armour, becoming 41st Battalion Royal Tank Corps, later 41st (Oldham) Royal Tank Regiment. A 'second line' battalion formed at Oldham in 1939 became 47th (Oldham) Royal Tank Regiment.