The Somme 1916: And Other Experiences of the Salford Pals

by Stedman, Michael

• ISBN13: 9781844153947
• ISBN10: 1844153940
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-18
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

Salford was late in recruiting for its Pals battalions, with many of its men already joining Territorial units and a new Pals battalion in Manchester. Yet within a year it had raised four Pals battalions and a reserve battalion. Raised mainly from Lancashire's most notorious slums, the men trained together in Wales, North East England and on Salisbury Plain, they had great expectations of success. On the 1st of July 1916 the Somme offensive was launched and in the very epicenter of that cauldron the first three of Salford's battalions were thrown at the massive defenses of Thiepval - the men were decimated, Salford was shattered.Michael Stedman records the impact of the war from the start on Salford and follows the difficulties and triumphs. Whether the actions small or great the author writes graphically about them all.Unusual photographs and a variety of sources make this both a readable and a scholarly account.

Table of Contents

Introduction & acknowledgements	p. 6
A Quart From a Pint Pot	p. 9
Them Bloomin' Hills	p. 43
That Village	p. 79
The First Days of Battle	p. 105
Life Must Go On	p. 143
Journey's End	p. 215
Honours and Awards	p. 231
Battalion Rolls 1915 - The Lancashire Fusiliers, Salford Brigade Roll 1915	p. 251
90 Years On	p. 295
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