Photo above: Rifle Volunteer circa 1946. Credit: John Zienteck.
Stood on the corner of Wharf Street and Wheat Street.
The Wharf Street cricket ground would stretch in some parts from Humberstone Road to Wheat Street. After the ground was sold, circa 1860, for development the Leicestershire Rifle Volunteers Corps – which had been formed only a year previously – used some of the area as a parade ground. We can safely assume that the beerhouse name derives from that.
In 1875, 47 Wharf Street (described as a shop), was auctioned together with numbers 49, 51, 53 and 55 Wharf Street, also 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Wheat Street.
Thomas Gilbert from Oadby was licensee from late 1870s. From circa 1882, his son, Frank – described as a musician – would take on the licence.
Frank was still there early 1900s; Thomas Tilson, 1906; William Turner, 1916.
William (Billy) Turner was a Leicester Fosse footballer. Born in the city as Richard William Turner, he was on the Fosse books circa 1906-1910. Billy ran the Rifle Volunteer from a period during the First World War until circa 1928.
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