Sunday, 5 June 2022

Skating on thin ice

 Saw part of this picture on A Gentleman’s War on Facebook but here is the full picture, evidently from the Illustrated London News-


Please click on the above to make it bigger and note the caption at the bottom of the page. It reads-

The First Lincolnshire Rifle Volunteers taking a march down the River Witham on skates.

This is new to me and really interesting, rifle volunteers on skates,wow! Anyone can any further examples of such winter warfare preparations in Great Britain?
P.s just watched the Platinum Party at the Palace on BBC 1 , terrific entertainment and a most enjoyable three hours smorgasbord of acts. Anyone else watched its? 
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9 comments:

  1. Anonymous5 June 2022 at 05:28

    Great picture Alan. Any idea what year it was? The hats look like the Austrians’ of the 1860s-1900 period. With a feathery nod to the Bersaglieri.
    Chris/Nundanket

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    1. Anonymous5 June 2022 at 07:07

      The publication date was 1861.
      Alan

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  2. Old Nick5 June 2022 at 08:34

    Well, that's something you don't see everyday!

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    1. Anonymous6 June 2022 at 07:12

      Which is more the pity. Just imagine throwing those curtains wide and hearing the sound of marching,sorry skating, volunteers. Whatever it might sound like…
      Alan

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  3. joppy5 June 2022 at 12:09

    There is a history of skating on the frozen fens in southern Lincolnshire as they froze quite thickly frequently in those days. There is an episode describing a trip in 'Tom's Midnight Garden' by Phillipa Pearce (?). At least the volunteers may not have needed to break step as if crossing a bridge (or is that apocryphal?).

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  4. Anonymous6 June 2022 at 07:13

    Most interesting Joppy. Any idea where I might find more on military skating?
    Alan

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    1. joppy6 June 2022 at 21:27

      Sorry but I have no idea where to look. If I had the time I'd start with the Illustrated london News as that looks like where the illustration came from. Then the Lincolnshire Regiment, whatever it's called today; Lincolnshire Archives, and then from there. It could be an interesting journey for anyone who really wanted to look research the subject.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous11 June 2022 at 06:53

    I wonder if I am talking myself into a autumn/ winter research project…
    Alan

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  6. joppy13 June 2022 at 09:32

    Why not? I don't think it's a subject that has had much coverage and could provide an interesting little article in SOTQ ?

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