The York and Lancaster Regiment’s archive collection contains almost 16,000 items relating to the 210 year history of the Regiment and its forbears, the 65th and 84th Regiments of Foot (1758-1968). It consists of material that was used by the Regiment in an official capacity and items collected by soldiers during their military career or saved by the families of those on active service.
The official records include histories, digests of service, reports and narrative accounts describing the Regiment’s actions around the world, principally in India, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe. Operational records, such as trench maps, war diaries, orders and plans, cover various military engagements, the most detailed being for the Somme Offensive of 1916. Other records include the Tiger and Rose Regimental Journal, recruitment and training materials, sporting ephemera and the Regimental Library books.
The collection contains a large quantity of photographic material which includes campaign albums, individual portraits and formal group photographs. There are also over 900 sets of soldiers' personal papers which typically contain personal and official letters, diaries, postcards, family photographs and Army papers. Most date from the two World Wars, with some more recent material such as newspaper articles.
Access to the Regimental archive collection is via Rotherham Archives and Local Studies at Clifton Park Museum. They are open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday, and every alternate Saturday.
If you would like to book a slot, please email archives@rotherham.gov.uk or telephone 01709 336632.
Alternatively, if you would like to search for archives in the online catalogue, it is available at: Rotherham Archive and Local Studies.