East Suffolk Militia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids East Suffolk Militia Suffolk Artillery Militia
Active	1759–1909
Country	Kingdom of Great Britain (1759–1800)  United Kingdom (1801–1909)
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry Artillery (after 1853)
Garrison/HQ	Ipswich (after 1853)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Robert Adair, 1st Baron Waveney (first commanding officer)

The East Suffolk Militia was a special army group from Suffolk, England. It was one of two militia regiments formed in the area. This group started in 1759. Later, in 1853, it changed into an Artillery Militia unit. The unit was eventually closed down in 1909.

History of the Suffolk Militia

How the Militia Started

In 1757, a new law called the Militia Act was created. This law set up militia regiments for each county in Britain. A militia was like a local army that helped defend the country. Each town had to provide a certain number of healthy men. These men had to be between 18 and 50 years old. Later, the age limit changed to 45 in 1762.

Militia regiments like the East Suffolk Militia served only in Britain or Ireland. They did not go to fight in other countries. Men had to serve for three years, but this changed to five years after 1786. Besides the East Suffolk Militia, the county also had another group called the West Suffolk Militia. In 1831, the East Suffolk Militia changed its name slightly. It became known as the East Suffolk Light Infantry Militia.

Becoming an Artillery Unit

In May 1853, the Militia was reorganized. The East Suffolk group changed from an infantry (foot soldier) unit to an artillery (cannon) unit. This new artillery group was called The Suffolk Artillery Militia. Its main base was in Ipswich.

A special building for the artillery unit was built in Ipswich. This building, called the artillery barracks, was finished in 1855. The first leader of this new artillery unit was Colonel Robert A Shafto Adair. He later became a very important person known as Robert Adair, 1st Baron Waveney. Over the years, the unit changed its name several times. In 1882, it became the 3rd Brigade, Eastern Division, Royal Artillery. Then, in 1889, it was called the Suffolk Artillery (Eastern Division), RA.

Later Years and Disbandment

The Suffolk Artillery Militia was called into active service during a few major wars. This meant they were ready to help defend Britain. They were active during the Crimean War (1855-1856), the Indian Mutiny (1859-1860), and the South African War (1900). However, they never left Britain to fight overseas.

By 1893, the War Office had a plan for how to use different army groups. The Suffolk Militia Artillery Volunteers were assigned to help protect the Harwich fixed defences. These were strong defenses built to guard the coast. In 1902, the unit was renamed again. It became The Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia).

Finally, in 1908, the unit was moved to a new group called the Special Reserve Royal Field Artillery. This happened when the Territorial Force was created. The very next year, in 1909, the East Suffolk Militia was officially closed down.