Accrington Pals

Accrington Pals

The Accrington Pals

Introduction

Britain entered the war against Germany on august 4th 1914. It quickly became clear that Britain needed to rapidly increase her fighting strength. Lord Derby, a Lancashire man, suggested to Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War, that men would more willingly enlist if they could be certain of serving with their friends, neighbours and workmates. Lord Kitchener immediately sanctioned the raising, by the major towns and cities throughout the country of what became known as “Pals Battalions”.

Early in September the Mayor of Accrington, Councillor John Harwood J.P. offered to raise a full battalion of 1,000 men for the East Lancashire Regiment. As soon as the offer was accepted by the War Office he opened recruiting offices in Accrington, Burnley and Chorley and the smaller townships of Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton. Thirty six officers and 1,076 men enlisted over a period of ten days. The formal name was the 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment, but they immediately became known as the “Accrington Pals”.

Training

There were four companies in the “Pals”. They were informally known as the “Accrington”, the “District” (made up of men from the smaller townships), the “Burnley” and “Chorley” Companies. The “Accrington” and “District” companies trained together in Accrington. The “Burnley” and “Chorley” Companies trained in their respective home towns. For five months all were billeted at home, drilling and marching before the approving gaze of large crowds.

On February 23rd 1915, the "Pals" left Accrington for Caernarfon, North Wales, with over 16,000 people lining the streets to watch them go. In December of the same year they sailed to Egypt to guard the Suez Canal. Early in March 1916 the "Pals" were sent to France.

The Battle of the Somme

At 7.30am in the bright sunshine of July 1st 1916 over 700 “Accington Pals” advanced from their trenches before the fortified village of Serre. Seven days of British artillery fire was supposed to have obliterated the German defences. As the “Pals” came slowly across the 300 yard No Man’s Land, the German troops came up from deep dug-outs untouched by the shelling and swept the advancing “Pals” with machine gun and rifle fire. In less than twenty minutes 235 “Pals” died and 350 lay wounded. Not a man wavered or turned back. The Regimental History states: “The Battalion for whose efficiency all had worked so long had been broken in an impossible task, but it carried out its duty in a manner worthy of the highest traditions of the Regiment”.

On July 1st 1916 over 100,000 British troops advanced on a fifteen mile front and suffered almost 60,000 casualties in men killed, wounded and missing. It was the blackest day in the history of the British Army.

The “Accrington Pals” were withdrawn from the battlefield and reformed with fresh troops. They went on to serve with honour in other battles throughout 1917 and 1918 again suffering heavy casualties.

In February 1919, whilst still in France, the “Pals” were presented with their Regimental Colours. The Battalion was finally disbanded in October 1919 – five years and one month after their formation.

Click here to visit Andrew Jackson's superb Accrington Pals website
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