GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country | SHP Talk by Mary Thornton

GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country

Swindon Heritage Preservation is pleased to present GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country, a richly illustrated talk by historian Mary Thornton. This fascinating event explores a lesser-known aspect of Britain’s military and railway history, focusing on the Volunteer Rifle movement and its connection to the Great Western Railway.

The Story Behind the GWR Volunteer Rifles

Mary Thornton’s talk examines the origins of Britain’s Volunteer Rifle movement and explains why it emerged during the nineteenth century. In particular, the talk looks at how railway companies such as the Great Western Railway became involved. For a company built around skilled industrial workers, volunteering brought both opportunity and challenge.

The talk explores what it meant in practice for GWR men to serve as volunteer soldiers. This includes their equipment, training routines, and the expectations placed upon them. In addition, Mary discusses the true “calling” of the Rifle Volunteers and the serious role they were intended to play in national defence.

Attitudes, Humour, and Public Perception

Although the Volunteer Rifles served an important purpose, public attitudes towards them were often mixed. Therefore, the talk also looks at how Rifle Volunteers were portrayed at the time. Satire, humour, and social commentary frequently poked fun at this form of soldiering, even while recognising its patriotic intent. These attitudes reveal much about Victorian society and its views on duty, class, and military service.

Why You Should Attend

GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country will appeal to anyone interested in railway history, military history, and social history. It offers a well-researched and accessible insight into how industry and defence overlapped in Victorian Britain. The illustrated format also helps bring the subject vividly to life.

Event Details

📅 Date: Thursday 30 April 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Venue: Bakers’ Café, 16 Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BN

Bakers’ Café is located in the heart of Swindon’s historic Railway Village. It is easily reached by train and bus, with the Central Bus Station just a short walk away. In addition, several nearby car parks are available, including Bristol Street Car Park, which we recommend for convenience.

Cost and Membership

• SHP Full Members: FREE entry

• Guests: £5.00 entry

Becoming a Swindon Heritage Preservation Full Member gives you free access to this and many other talks throughout the year. Full membership costs just £12 per year and includes a range of additional benefits.

Join us for an evening of history, insight, and illustration. Book your place for GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country today.