I have been interested in my family history for some time, my initial interest being sparked by the picture below. I discovered that the men served in "C" Battery of 286 (2nd West Lancashire) Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. Since uncovering information about the people in the photo and the period in which it was taken, I have developed a greater interest in military and social aspects of the First World War, both as regards my family members and also the location they lived in - Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall, adjoining villages south of the River Ribble in Lancashire.  This site is dedicated to the men who served in the West Lancashire Brigades of the Royal Field Artilery.

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For information about Bamber Bridge in the First World War, click here

For information about Lostock Hall in the First World War, click here.

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For information about men with the Brierley family name, click here.

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The photograph shows my great-grandfather, Jack Brierley (1857-1924), seated with four of his sons just after they enlisted at Bamber Bridge in the Royal Field Artillery, in May 1915. His sons, left to right, are Bill (1887-1954, my grandfather), Tom (1880-1940), Matt (1895-1953) and Jack (1890-1919).  They all served together for most of the War, in the RFA West Lancashire Brigade.  They all survived except for Jack who died of flu whilst still serving in Germany after the War had ended.