Kit inspection, Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia), Ipswich, 1905 (c)

Glass negative, 1905 (c).

Regular inspections were undertaken to ensure the men had the right clothing and equipment, and that everything was in good repair. They formed an important part of military routine. The men are pictured in front of their headquarters in Ipswich, wearing service dress with Brodrick caps.

Militia Regiments in Suffolk had been raised since 1757. In 1853 the East Suffolk Militia was converted into an Artillery unit - the Suffolk Artillery Militia. The building in this picture shows its purpose-built headquarters, which was completed in Ipswich in 1855. Although embodied for service during the Crimean War (1854-1856), Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa, the unit never served overseas. For home defence it was allocated to the Harwich defences.

The unit was re-titled as the Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia) in 1902 and conducted annual training every year until 1908 when it was transferred to the Special Reserve on the creation of the Territorial Force. it was disbanded the following year.

One of 24 glass negatives probably relating to the Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia), 1902-1905 (c).