Special report

Accrington Pals

ON 1ST July 1916, more than 230 members of the East Lancashire Regiment died less than 20 minutes into an advance near the French village of Serre, part of the notorious Battle of the Somme. They and their comrades became known as the Accrington Pals, and - 90 years on - we look back at their bravery and their legacy, and how they are being remembered today.

 

Observer launches appeal to save Pals' chapel

TODAY the Observer launches a major fund-raising appeal to save a memorial to Accrington's greatest heroes and the beautiful historic church in which it is housed.

Carnage as 235 Pals died in 20 minutes

THE First of July 1916 dawned as a bright sunny day.

 

Heroic Pal joined up at 14, lost leg at 17

ANTHONY BATTERSBY recalls the astonishing wartime exploits of his father who later became a Church of England vicar ...

Conspicuous bravery won nation's top honour

Foremost Pals historian BILL TURNER recounts the story of the Pal who won the VC, the nation's top honour for gallantry ...

 

Faces of the Pals

THESE rare archive photographs show the faces of some of the Accrington Pals ...

Roll of honour

THE 11th Battalion East Lancs - those killed or died of wounds in July 1916 …

 

More articles…

Roll of honour Pupils bring the First World War back to life Mosaics created in memory
Keeping alive the memory of those brave soldiers Lest we forget Ordinary men showed extraordinary courage
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