Description:Military Association in Hanley Shelton and Stoke
Revolutionary France had declared war with Great Britain in 1793.
Fears of a French invasion had been growing.
Resolved Unanimously
This notice reports the resolutions of a meeting at the Swan Inn, Hanley, where the formation of an armed association was discussed.
Details of the proposed organisation and structure of the corps are included in the report.
These details include the minimum and maximum amount of men in the corps, how to enroll, the criterion for membership, the command structure, the name of the association, the way it would be paid for, some initial rules for the organisation and even the design of the uniform.
Joining forces with other local military groups was also discussed at the meeting.
An invitation for musicians to join the military band is at the bottom of the notice.
Nationwide
These kinds of organisations were being created all over the country in anticipation of a French attack.
Men who were members of a military association such as this one were exempt from the militia ballot, which was obligatory.
About this document
This document was printed by Chester and mort in Hanley. It was collected by local industrialist Enoch Wood and is now among the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.