Wigan Album
5th Battn. Manchester Regt. (Wigan Territorials)
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Photo: Graham Taylor
Item #: 17896
For anyone interested in a history lesson.
On the top of the shield is a terrestial globe, signifying Manchester's world trade and covered by a swarm of flying bees. The bee was adopted in the 19th century as a symbol of industrial Manchester being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
On the upper shield is a ship at sea in full sail. This is a reference to the city's trading past.
On the left is an antelope wearing a chain attached to a gold collar representing enginering industries, on its shoulder is the red rose of Lancshire.
On the right is a lion crowned with a symbol of a castle (not a crown). This is a reference to the Roman fort at Castlefield from which the city originated. It also is wearing the red rose of Lancashire.
As previously mentioned the motto of Manchester is "Concilio Et Labore" which means "By Wisdom and Effort" or "By Counsel and Hard Work" .
The 5th VB were based at Ardwick in Manchester. The Wigan Battalion was the 1st Volunteer Bn until 1908 when it became the 5th Territorial Force Battalion and adopted the same badge as the regular battalions. This badge is also a modern fake.