Chester's Military Heritage

The ancient walled city of Chester has an illustrious military history dating back to Roman times when a fort, four times the size of anything else in Britannia, was built here. In this book, local authors Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge chronicle the citys military history across the centuries. Beginning with the impact of the XXth Legion - Legio Vigesima Valeria Victrix - the authors go on to explore the Dark Ages, Viking, Saxon and medieval eras right through to the twentieth century, with both world wars, and beyond. Chapters focus on themes including local, national and foreign conflicts; military personalities, honours and awards; military units; and buildings and memorials. Both lesser and well-known aspects of the citys military heritage are featured to present a balanced perspective. In addition, the authors highlight women, as well as men, on the front line and the home front. Famous Chester military heroes such as Bomber Commands Leonard Cheshire VC and the Korean Wars Kenneth Muir VC feature with lesser-known but equally distinguished local people such as John Dolphin (Head of SOEs Section IX during the Second World War). The Cheshire Regiment looms large in any discussion of Chesters military units. Its origins immediately after the 1688 Glorious Revolution are discussed together with the regiments history up to its modern merger with the Mercian Regiment. Chesters Military Heritage presents a broad and insightful account of this important aspect of the citys history.