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 city's 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 city's 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 Command's Leonard Cheshire VC and
the Korean War's Kenneth Muir VC feature with lesser-known but equally
distinguished local people such as John Dolphin (Head of SOE's Section
IX during the Second World War). The Cheshire Regiment looms large in
any discussion of Chester's military units. Its origins immediately
after the 1688 Glorious Revolution are discussed together with the
regiment's history up to its modern merger with the Mercian Regiment.
Chester's Military Heritage presents a broad and insightful account of
this important aspect of the city's history.
