Bridge constructed by the Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia), 1905 (c)

Glass negative, 1905 (c).

Garrison Artillery units were trained in bridge building to enable them to move large artillery pieces across difficult terrain or into forts and batteries. This bridge is being built as a training exercise during the Regiment's annual camp.

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).