Lancaster Priory

King's Own Royal Regiment
Memorial Chapel

The King's Own Regimental Memorial Chapel in Lancaster Priory was constructed in 1903 - 1904 in memory of the members of the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment who lost their lives in the South African (Boer) War 1899 - 1902. The existing North Nave wall was moved outwards and the Chapel separated from the Nave by an open wooden screen. Hung from the ceiling of the Chapel is the largest and most nearly complete set of regimental colours (flags) to be found under any one roof in this country. Except for four, it is a complete collection from 1680 to 1980.

All the furnishings in the Chapel are memorials. There is a Roll of Honour covering the First and Second World Wars. A page is turned every Sunday. Members of the Regiment take part in the annual Service of Remembrance held in the Priory on the Sunday nearest to November 11th.

In Abyssinia [now Ethiopia] in 1868 the Regiment recovered four Coptic Crosses from a heap of scrap brass awaiting recycling into guns at an arsenal at Magdala. The crosses probably date from the 4th or 5th century. The largest of these is used as a processional cross. The only [known] other one used for this purpose is in Westminster Abbey. Two smaller crosses are on display in this Chapel. Illustrations on the crosses are simple engravings of Gospel stories, including the Nativity, Crucifiction, the Deposition and Resurrection.

The Regimental Collect

This plaque is on the north wall near the Altar.
It describes the events surrounding the foundation of the Chapel.

The west window is in memory of those of the Regiment killed in the First World War.

The left light depicts Roger de Poitou, the benefactor of the Benedictine Lancaster Priory in 1094.

The right light depicts John of Gaunt [Ghent], Duke of Lancaster
and the power behind the English throne in the late 14th century.



Here is the text of a short history, produced by the Regiment for Lancaster Priory.
It is available printed on card, in the Priory Book & Gift Shop.

Here is a link to the Museum Web Site : www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com

If you prefer, you can write to the Museum, (not forgetting to include your own postal address) at
King's Own Royal Regiment Museum,
Market Square,
Lancaster,
Lancashire,
L A 1 . 1 H T

or you may telephone : 0 1 5 2 4 - 6 4 6 3 7 . . . (+44 - 1524 - 64637 from outside the U.K.)

or fax : 0 1 5 2 4 - 8 4 1 6 9 2 . . . (+44 - 1524 - 841692 from outside the U.K.)

For other related links, please see our Links page.

If you are able to come to Lancaster, why not visit both Lancaster Priory and the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum together. Admission to both is FREE. You'll find the Regimental Museum inside Lancaster City Museum on the West side of Market Square in the old Town Hall - look for the clock tower. See the local map and the How to Find Lancaster Priory page for details.

For further information, or to find somewhere to stay in the area, please contact Lancaster Tourist Information Centre from the Civic and Tourism Information section of our Links page; or write to Lancaster Tourism, 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN, UK., or telephone: 01524-32878, fax: 01524-847472. From outside the UK telephone: (+)44-1524-32878, fax: (+)44-1524-847472.

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