Cross Lane drill hall, Salford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cross Lane drill hall |
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| Salford | |
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Cross Lane drill hall
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 Cross Lane drill hall
Location within Greater Manchester
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| Coordinates | 53°28′52″N 2°16′53″W / 53.48105°N 2.28134°W |
| Type | Drill hall |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1899 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1899-1960s |
The Cross Lane drill hall was a special building in Salford, England. It was used by the military for training soldiers. Think of it as a gym and meeting place for soldiers before they went off to serve their country.
Contents
History of Cross Lane Drill Hall
Building a Training Hub
The Cross Lane drill hall was built a long time ago, in 1899. It was designed by a team called John Eaton, Sons, & Cantrell. Edwin Marshall & Sons were the builders. Colonel Lees Knowles officially opened the building in December 1899.
This new building became the main base for a group of soldiers called the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. A "battalion" is a large group of soldiers.
Serving in World War I
Over time, the 3rd Volunteer Battalion changed its name. By 1908, it became the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
When World War I started in August 1914, these soldiers were called into action. They gathered at the Cross Lane drill hall. From there, they were sent to fight in important battles. This included places like Gallipoli and the Western Front. The Western Front was a major battle line in Europe.
Changes and World War II
After World War I, things changed for the battalions. In 1936, the 7th Battalion became a new type of unit. It was called the 39th (The Lancashire Fusiliers) AA Battalion, RE. "AA" stands for Anti-Aircraft, meaning they helped defend against enemy planes.
This new unit stayed at the Cross Lane drill hall for a while. But in the spring of 1940, they moved to Flixton. This was during World War II. The 8th Battalion was no longer needed after the war ended.
The End of an Era
After World War II, the Cross Lane drill hall was not needed anymore. It was "decommissioned," which means it was officially taken out of military service. The building was then taken down, or "demolished," in the 1960s. Today, the drill hall is no longer there.
