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Atarah · 15-02-2010, 20:14

Bit of local history here that is interesting. Are you sitting comfortably?????

ACCRINGTON BARRACKS.

We used to have an old workhouse in Union Street. (lower end). After it was abandoned, it was taken over by the military and became a barracks. This was at the time of the Power Loom Riots of 1826, when Dragoons of the Queen's Bays were quartered in Accrington, followed by the 17th Regiment of Foot, until they were drafted to Chorley on October 16th, 1826. The 5th Regiment of Foot occupied the barracks for several years. Accrington being then a garrison town.
The Black Bull was the scene of many quarrels between the soldiers and civilians who assembled there, as it was the social centre of Old Accrington (this was the old pub that stood facing Hyndburn Road and was demolished when the new car park was made behind the Arndale). On one memorable occasion, the soldiers after breaking pots and windows at the Inn, turned into the barracks for their bayonets, and rushing wildly into Union Street, attacked every civilian in their way. Mr Hepple, the miller at the Old Corn Mill, was quietly walking down the street, when one of the infuriated soldiers attacked him with the bayonet. Mr Hepple warded off the attack with his stick. The Sergeant Major came on the scene in the nick of time for the miller's safety. (the mill used to be on Hyndburn Road, where the garage is now, and was demolished approx 1989). This disturbance resulted in a number of the soldiers concerned being sentenced to be flogged.

This sentence was carried out in the barracks yard in Union Street, in the presence of the whole garrison - a revolting spectacle long remembered by people who witnessed it from the Barracks wall, while the cries of those being lashed could be heard about Union Street.

The only evidence to be seen at the present time of those days is the tombstone of a soldier who died in the Union Street barracks. This is in St James Churchyard, a short distance from the north-west corner of the Church. A simple round headed stone about three feet eight inches, inscribed:-
"Sacred to the memory of Thomas Markham, late Private in the Third Company of the 5th Regiment of Foot, who was born in the parish ot Louth, in the County of Lincoln, and departed this life on the 13th June 1827 aged 21 years. This stone was erected by the fellow solders of his Company".

A memorial of Accrington's garrison being present in the town in 1827.

So next time you are in Union Street, just stop and look towards the bottom of the street. Instead of seeing people walking and taxis, just remember this story! It was written by Mr Ainsworth, the newspaper reported, but .. I HAVE FAITH IN HIM RETLAW! Mr Ainsworth could NOT have made this up!

15-02-2010, 20:14	#1
Atarah Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ACCRINGTON Posts: 2,358 Liked: 95 times Rep Power: 11531	Old Accrington. Bit of local history here that is interesting. Are you sitting comfortably????? ACCRINGTON BARRACKS. We used to have an old workhouse in Union Street. (lower end). After it was abandoned, it was taken over by the military and became a barracks. This was at the time of the Power Loom Riots of 1826, when Dragoons of the Queen's Bays were quartered in Accrington, followed by the 17th Regiment of Foot, until they were drafted to Chorley on October 16th, 1826. The 5th Regiment of Foot occupied the barracks for several years. Accrington being then a garrison town. The Black Bull was the scene of many quarrels between the soldiers and civilians who assembled there, as it was the social centre of Old Accrington (this was the old pub that stood facing Hyndburn Road and was demolished when the new car park was made behind the Arndale). On one memorable occasion, the soldiers after breaking pots and windows at the Inn, turned into the barracks for their bayonets, and rushing wildly into Union Street, attacked every civilian in their way. Mr Hepple, the miller at the Old Corn Mill, was quietly walking down the street, when one of the infuriated soldiers attacked him with the bayonet. Mr Hepple warded off the attack with his stick. The Sergeant Major came on the scene in the nick of time for the miller's safety. (the mill used to be on Hyndburn Road, where the garage is now, and was demolished approx 1989). This disturbance resulted in a number of the soldiers concerned being sentenced to be flogged. This sentence was carried out in the barracks yard in Union Street, in the presence of the whole garrison - a revolting spectacle long remembered by people who witnessed it from the Barracks wall, while the cries of those being lashed could be heard about Union Street. The only evidence to be seen at the present time of those days is the tombstone of a soldier who died in the Union Street barracks. This is in St James Churchyard, a short distance from the north-west corner of the Church. A simple round headed stone about three feet eight inches, inscribed:- "Sacred to the memory of Thomas Markham, late Private in the Third Company of the 5th Regiment of Foot, who was born in the parish ot Louth, in the County of Lincoln, and departed this life on the 13th June 1827 aged 21 years. This stone was erected by the fellow solders of his Company". A memorial of Accrington's garrison being present in the town in 1827. So next time you are in Union Street, just stop and look towards the bottom of the street. Instead of seeing people walking and taxis, just remember this story! It was written by Mr Ainsworth, the newspaper reported, but .. I HAVE FAITH IN HIM RETLAW! Mr Ainsworth could NOT have made this up!