N Midland Divisional Telegraph Coy RE
B and I Cos. 1st Volunteer Battalion Prince of Wales's North Staffordshire
Rifle Volunteers
The Drill Hall, College Rd, Hanley was opened by Lord Methuen on
March 21st 1903, according to a report in The Times.
*The Drill Hall at Hanley was also home to B Squadron Staffs Yeomanry,
2 N Midland Brigade RFA, 2 North Midland Bde Ammunition Column,
N Midland Divisional Telegraph Coy RE (listed as Victoria Rd / Victoria
Park). It was also referred to as The Barracks, Victoria Square,
Shelton
Kelly, 1904, gives B and I Cos. 1st Volunteer Battalion, Prince
of Wales's North Staffordshire Rifle Volunteers, who 'have their
headquarters in the town [at Town Hall yard, and Market place (Stoke)]'
but 'the Drill hall is in Victoria road, Hanley' where they are
listed as B, K and O Cos. Also, he lists 'Shropshire & Staffordshire
Royal Garrison Artillery (Heavy Artillery), Barracks, Victoria square,
Hanley.'
Kelly, 1912, states that, 'The Territorial Force stationed in Hanley
comprises the B Squadron Staffordshire Yeomanry, the 2nd North Midland
Brigade Royal Field Artillery, the North Midland Divisional Telegraph
Co. Royal Engineers, and 5th Battalion Prince of Wales's (North
Staffordshire Regiment), the latter having their head quarters and
drill hall in Victoria road.' This also lists Staffs Yeomanry at
24 Howard place, Shelton, and the Artillery 'head quarters, Barracks,
Victoria square'
There is a reference to the Drill Hall in the 1907 Staffordshire
Sentinel, 'Business Reference Guide to The Potteries, Newcastle
& District':
'The Temperance Hall in High-street
is much used for public meetings, which are also sometimes held
at the Volunteer Drill Hall, a commodious building in Victoria-road,
Shelton. This hall is the headquarters of the 1st V.B. North Staffordshire
Regiment, which is commanded by Colonel Dobson. Captain A. E.
Blizzard is the commander of the Hanley detachment ("B," " K,"
and " 0 " Companies).
The Artillery Barracks are close by in Victoria-square. Lieutenant-Colonel
Favell commands this corps, and Major H. E. Bishop is the headquarters
staff officer.'