The pals battalions of World War I were specially constituted battalions of the British Army comprising men who enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and colleagues, rather than being arbitrarily allocated to battalions.
107-488: The Barnsley Pals were two ' Pals battalions ' formed as part of ' Kitchener's Army ' during World War I . Raised by local initiative in the town of Barnsley in the West Riding of Yorkshire and recruited largely from coalminers, they became the 13th and 14th (Service) Battalions of the local York and Lancaster Regiment (13th and 14th Y&L). After almost two years of training, the battalions suffered heavy casualties in
214-507: A 'blue serge uniform with grass buttons and a little cocked hat', and were worn until khaki uniforms arrived at Easter 1915. A number of retired Regular Army non-commissioned officers (NCOs) were taken on to drill the men. Men from the building and construction trades were sent to work building a hutted camp at New Hall at Silkstone , outside Barnsley. Small batches of obsolete rifles were obtained for training, including Lee–Metfords , Long Lee–Enfields and Canadian Ross rifles . On 10 December
321-569: A 'switch' line north of the River Sensée . Here it was strongly attacked from about 07.00 to 12.00, though the Germans were enfiladed by the Guards Division to the north and were unable to make any progress. Another fierce attack came in at 15.00, but this also broke down, although the rest of 31st Division further south was broken up into groups trying to form a defensive flank. Pressure continued in
428-538: A battalion of men from workers in the City of London to set an example. Sixteen hundred men enlisted in this 10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers , the so-called "Stockbrokers' Battalion", within a week in late August 1914. A few days later, the Earl of Derby decided to raise a battalion of men from Liverpool . Within two days, 1,500 Liverpudlians joined the new battalion. Speaking to these men Lord Derby said: "This should be
535-534: A battalion of pals, a battalion in which friends from the same office will fight shoulder to shoulder for the honour of Britain and the credit of Liverpool." Within the next few days, three more battalions were raised in Liverpool, forming the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Battalions of the King's Regiment (Liverpool) . Encouraged by Lord Derby's success, Kitchener promoted the idea of organising similar recruitment campaigns across
642-642: A company of the 13th Y&L formed a single battalion for one spell of trench duty, until a reinforcement draft arrived for the East Lancs and the Barnsley company could be withdrawn. The Barnsley battalions were each still about 300 men understrength at the end of August. Nevertheless, they took their turns to carry out trench raids. On 16 September the division moved into the Festubert sector, before being withdrawn for rest and training in early October. The Somme Offensive
749-553: A company of the divisional pioneer battalion, the 12th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry . The 14th Y&L were to advance behind the left of the 12th Y&L, opening up the Russian saps to establish a trench line up the rising ground to join the captured German trenches with their own jumping-off trenches, thus forming the division's flank. Having been working so much for the REs, the 13th Y&L had had less time for rehearsal and were assigned
856-543: A deeper penetration. For their part in the Capture of Oppy Wood the 12th, 13th and 14th battalions won the Battle honour 'Oppy' for the York and Lancasters. Afterwards, 31st Division went to rest behind Vimy Ridge. When Canadian Corps moved away, XIII Corps took over defence of the ridge, and 31st Division spent the rest of the year defending this sector, constantly working to improve
963-745: A disastrous attack on the village of Serre on the first day of the Battle of the Somme . They continued to serve on the Western Front , including the Battle of Arras (1917) . Combined into a single battalion in early in 1918, the Barnsley Pals were reduced to a remnant during the German spring offensive , but the battalion was rebuilt to participate in the final victorious Hundred Days Offensive . On 6 August 1914, less than 48 hours after Britain's declaration of war, Parliament sanctioned an increase of 500,000 men for
1070-586: A half-time speech at the football match between Barnsley F.C. and Grimsby Town F.C. at Oakwell football ground on Saturday 19 September, which attracted numerous recruits. Many local miners joined, the men from Houghton Main Colliery arriving from Darfield by motor bus and then marching to the Public Hall to enlist (they formed the bulk of B Company). Hewitt, who had some experience in the Territorial Force ,
1177-407: A long history dating back almost 150 years. In recent times , the band has been very successful, competing for the first time in the championship section , against more famous bands like Grimethorpe and Black Dyke . The band is run without major sponsorship, and is well supported by the villages of Silkstone and Silkstone Common. Silkstone Common has Junior and Infants Schools, a railway station,
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#17328761456501284-461: A partial relief of 34th Division . 34th Division had been forced back to the rear of its Battle Zone, but there was little activity on 23 March. Only two minor attacks were made on the extreme left in the morning and afternoon, and both were repulsed by 13th Y&L. Heavier fighting had been going on further south round Mory , and during the night of 23/24 March 93rd Bde sideslipped about 1,000 yards (910 m) in that direction, taking up position in
1391-471: A planned smokescreen: many did not even reach the German barbed wire . A Company of 14th Y&L on the extreme left also suffered heavy casualties trying to get out of their battered assembly trenches into No man's land. When others of the battalion reached the head of their Russian sap they found themselves isolated beyond the German wire that held up the 12th Y&L. On the right some of the leading two waves of
1498-406: A reconnaissance party they tried to advance into the gap in daylight. However, the Germans had pushed into Moyenneville and occupied the ridge behind, their machine guns forcing the 13th Y&L and 18th DLI to halt and dig in 1,000 yards (910 m) short of the village. Although the 15th/17th West Yorks carried out a successful counter-attack, forcing the enemy off the ridge and out of Moyenneville,
1605-649: A second battalion. This was accepted by the WO on 30 November with the proviso that a reserve company should first be raised for the 1st Barnsley Battalion. After that was completed, the 2nd Barnsley Pals were officially launched on 9 December with Alderman Raley as CO. The rush of Kitchener recruits had overwhelmed the Army's ability to absorb them, so the Pals Battalions (mainly in the Fifth New Army, 'K5') were left for some time in
1712-631: A service battalion on 8 February 1919 and sent to join the British Army of the Rhine . There it was absorbed into 2/4th Bn, KOYLI, in 1st Midland Infantry Brigade, on 7 April 1919. On 29 November 1915, 31st Division received warning orders to join the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France, and advance parties set out for the embarkation ports of Folkestone and Southampton . At the last minute,
1819-582: A single local shop and the Station Inn . One of the most notable events in the history of the village was the Huskar Pit Disaster, which occurred on 4 July 1838 when a freak storm flooded part of the mine, killing 26 children, the youngest was 7 years, the oldest 17. A historical account of this event has been documented in the book entitled Children of the Dark . Notable buildings include Knabbe's Hall which
1926-472: A while. 31st Division was then scheduled to be reduced to a cadre and its units broken up to provide reinforcements to others, but in the end this was not done and it remained in reserve. Over the following weeks it received reinforcements (though many were under 19), and it began to take its turn holding the line, in front of the Forêt de Nieppe, facing La Becque farm. In May and June the brigades took turns out of
2033-625: Is Old English in origin and is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon man's name Sylc and the suffix tūn meaning a farmstead, giving "Sylc's farmstead". The earliest known written record of Silkstone is the Domesday Book of 1086, when Silkstone is referred to as a part of the manor of Cawthorne : In Calthorne (Cawthorne) Ailric had three carucates of land to be taxed and there may be two ploughs there. The same now has it of Ilbert; himself two ploughs there, and four villanes with two ploughs. There
2140-646: Is a vicor and a church, wood pasture two miles long and two broad; the whole manor three miles long and two broad. Value in King Edward's time forty shillings, now twenty shillings. To this manor belongs Silchestone, one carucate and a half. The church mentioned may be a predecessor of the current Church of All Saints , the parish church in Silkstone. Silkstone parish originally included Cawthorne , West Bretton , Cumberland , Barnsley , Dodworth , Stainborough , Thurgoland , and Hoylandswaine . The Silkstone coal seam
2247-544: Is at its shallowest in the Silkstone area, and mining was an important local industry. In 1809 the Silkstone Waggonway was built through the village by the Barnsley Canal Navigation Company. The waggonway was used to transport coal from collieries in the Silkstone valley to Cawthorne. A memorial commemorating the waggonway stands in the village. The village has sporting facilities, in the shape of
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#17328761456502354-536: Is in Weston Park, Sheffield . It consists of a stone obelisk surmounted by a bronze winged figure of Victory and flanked by bronze figures of an officer and a private. It was unveiled on 7 July 1923 by the regimental colonel , Field Marshal Viscount Plumer . The colours of both battalions are held at St Mary's Church in Barnsley. Pals battalion At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914 Lord Kitchener ,
2461-663: The Arras Offensive developed. However it was not brought into the line until 1 May, and next day the 13th Y&L moved into the reserve trenches and provided working parties. On 3 May, 31st Division attacked towards Oppy in the Third Battle of the Scarpe , but of 94th Bde only the 12th Y&L was engaged. On the night of 4/5 May the Barnsley battalions relieved the Bradford Pals (16th and 18th West Yorkshire Regiment ) of 93rd Bde in
2568-529: The Leeds Pals of 15th/17th West Yorkshire Regiment and the 1st Durham County battalion, the 18th Durham Light Infantry . When the German spring offensive opened on 21 March 1918, 31st Division was in GHQ Reserve and was immediately sent by ex-London buses to assist Third Army . On the night of 22/23 March it reinforced VI Corps and 93rd Bde went up to Boiry-Saint-Martin , south of Arras, where it carried out
2675-577: The Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire , England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines , between the towns of Barnsley and Penistone . The parish includes the village of Silkstone Common . At the 2001 census it had a population of 2,954, increasing to 3,153 at the 2011 Census. Silkstone Parish is twinned with Saint-Florent-des-Bois in France. The name Silkstone
2782-684: The Secretary of State for War , believed that overwhelming manpower was the key to winning the war, and set about looking for ways to encourage men of all classes to join. This initiative was in direct contrast to the British military tradition of employing long serving professional soldiers drawn from the gentry (for officers) or the lower classes (for enlisted men). General Sir Henry Rawlinson suggested that men would be more inclined to enlist if they knew that they were going to serve alongside their friends and colleagues. He appealed to London stockbrokers to raise
2889-571: The Somme offensives of 1916. A notable example was the 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington), East Lancashire Regiment , better known as the Accrington Pals . The Accrington Pals were ordered to attack Serre , the most northerly part of the main assault, on the opening day of the battle . The Accrington Pals were accompanied by pals battalions drawn from Sheffield , Leeds , Barnsley , and Bradford . Of an estimated 700 Accrington Pals who took part in
2996-525: The Suez Canal defences, with the Barnsley battalions at El Ferdan. Here the men underwent training as well as providing working parties for the defences. On 26 February orders arrived to reverse the process and the division began re-embarking at Port Said, two companies of 14th Y&L with 12th Y&L aboard HMT Briton on 10 March, the rest of the Barnsley battalions aboard HMT Megantic on 11 March. They unloaded at Marseille on 15–17 March and then joined
3103-562: The 11th East Lancs, followed by two platoons of 13th Y&L as 'moppers-up', got into the German positions, and some of the Accrington men and perhaps of the 12th Y&L may have reached Serre: if this was the case nothing was ever heard from them again, but later in the war bodies of men from the battalions were recovered from this area. The survivors from the leading waves took what shelter they could in shellholes in No man's land and exchanged fire with
3210-410: The 13th Y&R marched out to Silkstone Camp, where more varied training could begin. In January 1915 there were concerns that enlistments to the 2nd Barnsleys were slowing down, and a renewed recruitment drive was undertaken. By Easter the 2nd Bn was close to its full establishment, including a 250-strong reserve company, and had outgrown the accommodation at the Public Hall, so D Company was housed in
3317-566: The Allies launched a coordinated offensive on 8 August (the Hundred Days Offensive ). The division captured Vieux-Berquin on 13 August 1918 and pushed forward until running into serious opposition south of Ploegsteert on 21 August, where fighting continued into September. Second Army carried out a formal attack on the morning of 28 September (the Fifth Battle of Ypres ) and 31st Division
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3424-492: The Ancre Front on 24 February and 31st Division was ordered to send out strong patrols next day to regain touch with them. These patrols entered Serre, and over following days the division's advanced guards continued forwards, skirmishing with German rearguards and dealing with booby-traps. The Barnsley battalions passed Gommecourt Wood, scene of bitter fighting on 1 July 1916, and worked their way to Puisieux by 9 March, engaging
3531-652: The Arras offensive ended. Late in June First Army began a series of feint attacks to draw attention away from the Ypres Salient where the BEF was planning a new offensive. First Army gave the impression of preparing for large-scale attacks on Hill 70 and Oppy. In fact the attack on Oppy and Gavrelle, carried out by 94th Bde and 15th Bde of 5th Division on 28 June was in the nature of a carefully-planned large-scale raid, though with
3638-644: The British front line. The battalion provided three shifts of 100 men each day. The rest of the Barnsleys sent parties forwards from their billets at Mailly-Maillet for instruction in Trench warfare by 48th (South Midland) Division and then took responsibility for their own section of line on 3 April. The battalions spent several periods in April–June holding the line in front of Colincamps , suffering their first battle casualties from enemy shellfire and trench raids . Out of
3745-409: The German wire, but found no fighting going on ahead, while the wounded and unwounded survivors assured them that anyone still in the German trenches was a casualty. During the night those men in No man's land who were able slipped back to their own line; for a time next day, the Germans allowed stretcher-bearers to remove casualties from No man's land. The Sheffield City Battalion and Accrington Pals in
3852-461: The Germans attacked the village again at 12.30 in greater strength and with artillery support. 15th/17th West Yorks fell back to the village edge. The battalion together with 13th Y&L was ordered to launch a counter-attack at 20.30, but the exhausted West Yorks requested a delay. Fresh orders were given for 13th Y&L and 18th DLI to advance under cover of darkness and dig in as close to the village as possible. These orders arrived so late that dawn
3959-398: The Germans threw in all their reserves to try to take Hazebrouck . However, between 07.00 and 08.00, the Germans penetrated between 92nd and 93rd Bdes and inflicted heavy casualties with enfilade fire. About 12.00 the brigades began a slow withdrawal from one hedge to the next. As they fell back towards Merris a 3 miles (4.8 km) gap opened up on their left flank. Luckily, 33rd Division
4066-411: The Germans. Shortly after 08.00, B Company of 13th Y&L crossed the front line but were also badly mauled in trying to reach the 11th East Lancs in the German trenches. C and D Companies of 13th Y&L also left their assembly trenches at 09.00 to support the 11th East Lancs, but most of them did not even reach the front British trench. With heavy shellfire falling on the chaotic jumping-off trenches,
4173-454: The Pavilion. It is host to both a football and cricket team, with both sports being played at junior and senior levels. Silkstone is frequented by ramblers as many walking routes start from the village. The Church of All Saints was constructed in the 12th century (with alterations/renovations in the 15th and 19th centuries), it is a Grade I listed building . It is locally known as the minster of
4280-636: The Regular British Army , and the newly-appointed Secretary of State for War , Earl Kitchener of Khartoum issued his famous call to arms: 'Your King and Country Need You', urging the first 100,000 volunteers to come forward to form the 1st New Army ('K1'). A flood of volunteers poured into the recruiting offices across the country and were formed into 'Service' battalions of the county regiments. However, these were soon joined by groups of men from particular localities or backgrounds who wished to serve together. Starting from Liverpool, Manchester and London,
4387-518: The Somme and was brought back to strength by October that year only by drafts from diverse areas. With the introduction of conscription in March 1916 , further pals battalions were not sought. Voluntary local recruitment outside the regular army structure, so characteristic of the atmosphere of 1914–15, was not repeated in World War II . Silkstone Silkstone is a village and civil parish in
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4494-570: The UK. By the end of September 1914, more than fifty towns had formed pals battalions. Larger towns and cities were able to form several battalions each; Manchester , for example, raised four battalions in August, and four more in November. From the perspective of the War Office , the pals battalion experiment relieved the heavy strain on the recruiting structure of a suddenly expanded regular army as well as easing
4601-716: The WO converted the Fourth New Army (K4) into reserve units for K1–K3, and the K5 formations took over their numbers: thus 115th Bde became 94th Bde in 31st Division . The new 94th Bde was concentrated in May at Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase , Staffordshire , where it was joined by the Accrington Pals (11th East Lancashire Regiment ) in place of the Grimsby Chums. On 13 May the 13th Y&L marched into Barnsley from Silkstone and then both battalions entrained for Cannock Chase. Training
4708-588: The Y&;L cap badge, with the Bengal tiger (for the original 65th Foot ) surmounted by a Tudor rose (for both counties) and ducal coronet (for the Duchy of Lancaster), both battalions would have worn brass or embroidered 'Y.&L.' titles on the shoulder straps. They also wore the 94th Brigade cloth sign of a square divided red-over-white, worn on the back beneath the collar, with a circle underneath (or possibly on each arm), which
4815-534: The advance was carried out next day as the Germans retired over the Lys near Warneton. This was the Barnsley Pals' last engagement and cost the battalion 12 killed, 49 wounded (including the CO, Lt-Col Wauchope) and 2 missing. Afterwards the battalion went into divisional reserve, where it remained while 31st Division forced a crossing of the Lys on the night of 14/15 October and fought the action of Tieghem on 31 October. The battalion
4922-483: The age of 19 who would not previously have been eligible for active service. However, the rest was brief: the second phase of the he German offensive (the Battles of the Lys ) was about to open against First Army. The bombardment opened on 7 April, and on 11 April the division was called forward in buses to form a defensive line near Estaires through which retreating British and Portuguese troops could withdraw. 93rd Brigade
5029-404: The attack was suspended. At about 10.00 Lt-Col Hulke sent forward reinforcements for the 14th Y&L party opening up the Russian saps, but they found nothing – the saps had been destroyed by shellfire and no survivors could be found. By noon the sector was quiet apart from occasional shelling and sniping at the men pinned down in No man's land. Although a fresh attack was ordered for the afternoon,
5136-559: The attack, 235 were killed and 350 wounded within the space of twenty minutes. Despite repeated attempts, Serre was not taken until February 1917, at which time the German Army had evacuated to the Hindenburg Line . The Battle of the Somme marked a turning point in the pals battalion experiment. Many were disbanded or amalgamated after the scheme effectively came to an end following the summer of 1916. Others retained their titles until
5243-603: The cadre sailed from Dunkirk aboard the SS Moelieff next day, arriving at Southampton on 22 May. The cadre was sent to Catterick Camp for final demobilisation. On 29 May the cadre travelled to Barnsley to deposit the battalion colour in St Mary's Parish Church . Some 900 former members of the Barnsley Pals, many disabled by wounds, paraded on the Queen's Ground and were inspected by Lt-Col Sir Joseph Hewitt and Col William Raley. During
5350-420: The colours of the three Y&L Pals battalions before amalgamation. The original formation sign of 31st Division was a design with triangles and vertical lines ( see picture ). This was replaced in 1917 with overlapping York (white) and Lancaster (red) roses on right and left respectively; Yorkshire-based regiments such as the Y&L wore this with the white overlapping the red. Sheffield Memorial Park outside
5457-433: The defences and losing casualties to German shelling and Mustard gas bombardments, and in raids. In December the division was under orders to move to join the Battle of Cambrai , but the fighting there died down and the order was cancelled. By the beginning of 1918 the BEF was suffering a manpower crisis. Brigades were reduced from four to three battalions each, and the remainder were broken up to provide reinforcements for
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#17328761456505564-463: The depot companies of the regiments to be concentrated, so E and F Companies of the 12th Y&L (Sheffield) moved into the camp at Silkstone, to join those of the 1st and 2nd Barnsley. In July 1915 the depot companies of all three battalions were formed into 15th (Reserve) Bn, York and Lancaster Regiment . It was part of 21st Reserve Brigade , supporting all the Pals battalions of 31st Division. Its first CO
5671-435: The destination was changed to Egypt , the advance parties were recalled, and on 26 December the troops embarked at Devonport , the 13th and 14th Y&L aboard HM Transport Andania , with some men of 14th Y&L working to make up for a shortage of ship's stokers. The Andania reached Port Said on 11 January 1916, where 31st Division had concentrated by 23 January. It then travelled by train to take over No 3 Section of
5778-605: The division concentrating in the Somme area. They remained on the Western Front for the rest of the war. 31st Division was part of the BEF's concentration of troops in the Somme sector preparing for that summer's 'Big Push', the Battle of the Somme . The ex-miners of the 13th Y&L were employed in assisting the RE tunnelling companies, both in deep mining under the German lines and in digging ' Russian saps ' out under No man's land . These were shallow tunnels that could be unroofed to provide ready-made communication trenches forwards from
5885-502: The division fired their General Musketry Course. In September the division moved to Hurdcott Camp where it carried out final intensive battle training on Salisbury Plain . In November, Lt-Col Hewitt of 13th Y&R resigned, having been graded medically unfit for overseas service. He was replaced by Lt-Col Edmund Wilford, formerly of 30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse) of the Indian Army . Both battalions formed bands before they left Hurdcott,
5992-483: The divisional commander and the commanders of 93rd and 94th Bdes concluded that neither brigade was fit for any further offensive operation. C and D Companies of 14th Y&L took over defence of the front line from the survivors of the 12th Y&L. There were persistent reports that men of 12th Y&L were still holding out in the German front line and during the night the battalion borrowed some men from 14th Y&L to go out on patrol from Mark Copse. They got as far as
6099-509: The early 19th century when coal mining was booming, and the wagonway was used until the 20th century. The stones can still be seen from the Ring O Bells pub to Pot House Hamlet. Today, the Wagonway is a scenic route ideal for country walks, with story boards, and is preserved as a historic route as part of the village's history. The village is also home to "Old Silkstone Band" brass band . The band has
6206-595: The end of the war but with recruitment dependent upon drafts from a common pool of conscripts rather than from those with regional or other common ties. The practice of drawing recruits from a particular region or group meant that, when a pals battalion suffered heavy casualties, the impact on individual towns, villages, neighbourhoods and communities back in Britain could be immediate and devastating. As an example, The Sheffield City Battalion (12th York and Lancaster Regiment ) lost 495 dead and wounded in one day (1 July 1916) on
6313-479: The enemy in patrol actions until 12 March, when 31st Division was squeezed out as British units converged on the shorter Hindenburg Line. It was then held in readiness for an operation but was not called upon, and on 19 March the division began a six-day march to join First Army north of Arras . On 9 April First Army captured Vimy Ridge , and next day 31st Division moved up in case it was required for exploitation as
6420-433: The enemy withdrew methodically. In the darkness the leading battalion found itself advancing with German units about 500 yards (460 m) away on both flanks, marching in the same direction. The brigade was halted on the Warneton – Comines road at about 05.00 on 29 September. In the afternoon 31st Division was ordered to move up to the line of the River Lys , but 93rd Bde was judged to be too tired after its night march and
6527-532: The enemy. Two companies of 13th Y&L were taken out of the line on 22 June to practise for the attack, then they used the cover of the forest to seize Ankle Farm on the night of 26/27 June. On 28 June the 13th Y&L and 18th DLI held the line while 15th/17th West Yorks carried out a surprise attack that took the German positions with only light casualties. Individual units continued to make small advances through aggressive patrolling and seizing strongpoints (so-called 'peaceful penetration') and this accelerated when
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#17328761456506634-640: The evening mist. 93rd Brigade conformed, and though both were under fire for the first 500 yards (460 m)the retirement was made in good order through 4th Guards Bde . The remnant of 15th/17th West Yorks was taken out of action while the 13th Y&L and part of 18th DLI went into the line alongside 4th Gds Bde, which was now well-entrenched. Three final attacks by the Germans next day (28 March) were repelled from these trenches with heavy casualties. The Germans advanced in full marching order with little artillery support and were simply shot down: later they were seen fleeing in all directions. Although fighting continued,
6741-497: The financial strain. In September 1914 Kitchener announced that the organizers of locally raised units would have to meet the initial accommodation and other costs involved, until the War Office took over their management. Accordingly, many recruits for the new pals battalions were initially able to live at home while reporting for daily basic training. The " Grimsby Chums " was formed by former schoolboys of Wintringham Secondary School in Grimsby . Many other schools, including some of
6848-452: The first two years of the war, 145 Service and seventy Reserve infantry units were locally raised pals battalions. Some pals battalions were trade/social-background linked rather than area linked, such as artists' battalions and sportsmen's battalions. Professional golfers Albert Tingey, Sr. , Charles Mayo , and James Bradbeer joined pals battalions. The 17th and 32nd Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers were almost entirely created from
6955-407: The front line involved a great deal of dangerous work. The battalions were rotated between front, support and reserve trenches until 19 May when they were pulled out for rest, 14th Y&R having lost nearly 150 men. At the beginning of June Lt-Col G.B. Wauhope arrived to take over command of 13th Y&L, while Maj Courtenay-Hood went to command 12th Y&L. 31st Division remained in the area after
7062-430: The hands of the recruiting committees. The men of the 1st Barnsleys were billeted at the Public and Arcade Halls and Harvey Institute in town or in their own homes, and food was supplied by the Barnsley British Co-operative Society. Each day the men paraded in the square in Regent Street, then marched to the Queen's Ground for drill, still in civilian dress until temporary uniforms could be obtained. These were described as
7169-456: The instruments being supplied by the Raising Committee. A fifth, reserve or depot company (E Company), was formed in December 1914 to provide reinforcements for the 1st Battalion; this continued to share the crowded Public Hall with the men gathering for the 2nd Bn. The 2nd Bn also formed a depot company, and after the battalions moved to Cannock Chase in April 1915 each formed a second depot company at Silkstone. On 9 June Northern Command ordered
7276-457: The intention of retaining the limited objectives set for it. As a feint it was important that the enemy should be expecting the attack, and they bombarded the packed jumping-off trenches at 17.30. Despite the 200 casualties they had suffered, the two brigades waited until the British barrage came down suddenly at Zero (19.10) then advanced so quickly across No man's land that the German defensive barrage fell behind them. The British covering artillery
7383-490: The lead had suffered most severely, but of the 1442 men of the two Barnsley battalions that had gone over the top in their support, 175 officers and men had been killed outright and 392 wounded, of whom 35 later died of their wounds. (The 1st Barnsley Pals suffered 275 casualties on 1 July 1916 while the 2nd Barnsley Pals suffered 270.) The shattered 31st Division was pulled out and sent to the quiet Neuve-Chapelle sector for rest and refit. Both Barnsley battalions went back into
7490-525: The leading public schools, also formed battalions. Several sportsmen's battalions were formed, including three battalions of footballers : 17th and 23rd (Service) Battalions, Middlesex Regiment , and 16th (2nd Edinburgh) (Service) Battalion , Royal Scots , the last-mentioned battalion containing the entire first and reserve team players, several boardroom and staff members, and a sizable contingent of supporters of Scottish professional club Heart of Midlothian F.C. Out of nearly 1,000 battalions raised during
7597-420: The line in front of Colincamps and in John Copse, now thick with mud. For the Battle of the Ancre , which was to be the last big operation of the year, 31st Division made another attempt to capture Serre on 13 November, but 94th Bde was still not fit for active operations and although standing by it was not employed except to rescue the wounded. The battalions continued to hold the trenches in front of Serre during
7704-410: The line on 15 July, but were short of men: the 13th Y&L mustered 15 officers and 469 other ranks (ORs) when it arrived at Neuve-Chappelle, and suffered another 48 casualties during a 12-day spell in the trenches. 94th Brigade organised composite companies from the battalions out of the line to reinforce the one holding the line up to adequate strength. The 11th East Lancs and 12th Y&L combined with
7811-471: The line they provided working parties to repair damaged trenches and to dig new assembly and communication trenches for the forthcoming offensive. On 5 June the battalions moved to Gézaincourt for training, including practice assaults by the whole brigade over a mock-up of the German trenches. Despite all the preparation and high hopes, the First day on the Somme (1 July) was a disaster for 31st Division. Its task
7918-511: The line training for offensive operations. 31st and 5th Divisions took part in Operation Borderland, a limited attack on La Becque and other fortified farms in front of the Forest of Nieppe on 28 June, in what was described as 'a model operation' for artillery cooperation. The forest screened the assembly of troops and material, and the artillery fired practice barrages each morning to mislead
8025-411: The main weight of the German offensive had switched to the Arras sector, and 31st Division could be relieved during the nights of 30/31 March and 31 March/1 April. By then 13th Y&L's casualties amounted to some 400 men. 31st Division was then sent north to the quiet sector behind First Army where it went into reserve. It received large numbers of reinforcements, but these were mainly CategoryA4: under
8132-591: The moors. The Grade II listed Noblethorpe Hall near the village was built in the early 19th century for the Clarke family (local colliery owners). During the Second World War it was used as an army camp. Pot House Hamlet is located below Silkstone Church and was the site of an 18th-century pottery and 17th century glassworks. English Heritage have deemed this an underground national ancient monument. Pot House Hamlet today houses many independent retail outlets. One of
8239-495: The others. In fact, in 31st Division 94th Bde was broken up entirely. Between 11 and 17 February the two Barnsley Pals battalions were combined as the 13th Y&L, and also absorbed 15 officers and 300 ORs from the disbanded Sheffield City Battalion. Remaining men from the 14th Y&L went to the 4th Entrenching Battalion or the Hallamshire Battalion (1/5th Y&L). The reconstituted 13th Y&L joined 93rd Bde, alongside
8346-463: The phenomenon of ' Pals battalions ' quickly spread across the country, as local recruiting committees offered complete units to the War Office (WO). After a series of public meetings, the Mayor of Barnsley offered to raise a battalion of 1100 men from the town and its surrounding district: this offer was accepted by the WO and recruitment opened on 17 September 1914. Joseph Hewitt , a local solicitor, made
8453-415: The raising of forty-eight companies of engineers, forty-two batteries of field artillery and eleven ammunition columns, drawn mainly from groups with common occupational backgrounds. The relatively high skills and educational levels of many pals battalions meant an outflow of potential officers for commissioning elsewhere, from 1915 on. Many of these locally raised battalions suffered heavy casualties during
8560-619: The ranks of the North Eastern Railway . For members who joined the battalions, the North Eastern Railway gave some offers including; provisions for wives and dependants; to keep men's positions open; to pay their contribution to the Superannuation and Pensions and to provide accommodation for the families who were occupying company houses. While the majority of pals units were infantry battalions, local initiatives resulted in
8667-509: The role of support behind the 11th East Lancs, A and B Companies to 'mop up' and consolidate the gains, C and D as reserves. Both battalions suffered under the enemy counter-bombardment of the copses and assembly trenches. The leading waves of 12th Y&L and 11th East Lancs left their trenches at 07.20 when the nearby Hawthorn Ridge mine was exploded, 10 minutes before Zero. They then laid down in No man's land about 100 yards (91 m) in front of
8774-595: The schoolroom of the Regent Street Congregational Church. In late February 1915 about 50 former coal miners from the 1st Barnsley were seconded to form a nucleus for the new Tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers (RE), including 171st and 173rd Tunnelling Companies ,. These dug the Hill 60 mines near Ypres , fired on 17 April in the first major British mining operation of the war. In April 1915
8881-443: The south during 25 March, but an attack on 93rd Bde about 13.00 was broken up by artillery and no Germans got near the line. However, the German breakthrough to the south forced VI Corps to wheel 31st Division back to a new switch line that night. At daybreak on 26 March it was discovered that a 1,500 yards (1,400 m) gap had opened up between 31st and Guards Divisions: 13th Y&L and 18th DLI of 93rd Bde, which should have occupied
8988-509: The space, had been ordered to fall further back by the acting Brigade major , who had been disorientated by the effects of a near-miss by a shell. The two missing battalions had gone back 2 miles (3.2 km) to the Purple Line, and Moyenneville was left undefended. While the Guards and 15th/17th West Yorks extended their lines to cover part of the gap, the two battalions were recalled. Preceded by
9095-398: The starting point at 21.00, and the main body at 10.30. As it came over Hill 63 the brigade came under heavy and accurate shellfire and had to open out. After a halt of about an hour, it resumed its advance and met no opposition for 2 miles (3.2 km). It then met Germans rearguards at Ash Crater and its advance was slowed by machine gun fire, but after a little resistance in some pillboxes
9202-547: The support trenches near Gavrelle Windmill, and began digging a communication trench up the Windmill Spur to the chain of shellholes that constituted the new front line. Shelling was continuous and casualties mounted. Lieutenant-Col Wilford of 13th Y&L was wounded when a shell hit the Battalion HQ dugout , and Maj F.J. Courtenay-Hood of 14th Y&L took temporary command. The task of getting supplies, particularly water, to
9309-514: The trenches while the final intensive bombardment of the enemy positions was fired. Thus alerted, the enemy put down their own artillery barrage on the British line and their machine gun teams came out of their dugouts. When the two leading waves set off at 07.30, followed by the third and fourth emerging from the trenches, they were almost annihilated by German fire. The 12th Y&L was hit in its left flank from German trenches that were not being attacked, and which had not been adequately screened by
9416-584: The two battalions were designated the 13th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment (1st Barnsley) and 14th (S) Bn Y&L Regiment (2nd Barnsley) . The WO assigned them to 115th Brigade of 38th Division, formed of Pals Battalions from across Northern England: the other battalions in the brigade were the Grimsby Chums (10th (S) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment ) and the Sheffield City Battalion , (12th (S) Bn, Y&L Regiment). On 20 December
9523-507: The village of Serre was opened in 1936. It comprises the woodland of the 'Mark', 'Luke' and 'John' copses from which the 94th Bde 'jumped off' on 1 July 1916, and retains outlines of trenches and shellholes. As well as the memorial to the Sheffield City Battalion, others have been added, including one to the Barnsley Pals. It comprises a black stone monument that was unveiled in 1998. The York & Lancaster Regiment War Memorial
9630-508: The village's famous sons was John Charles Brooke , Esq, FSA (1748–1794) who became Somerset Herald in 1777. He was crushed to death in a crowd at the Haymarket Theatre in London on 3 February 1794. The Wagonway runs through Silkstone to the neighbouring village Cawthorne, and was used as a route for the transportation of coal from the nearby mines. The sleeper stones were originally laid in
9737-462: The war 31st Division's casualties amounted to 30,091 killed, wounded, and missing, of which the Barnsley battalions had suffered the following fatal casualties (other ranks only): The following served as commanding officers of the Barnsley Pals: 13th York & Lancasters (1st Barnsley) 14th York & Lancasters (2nd Barnsley) 15th (Reserve) Bn, York & Lancasters As well as
9844-446: The winter, carrying out occasional raids, and having many men evacuated to hospital suffering from Trench foot . However fresh drafts kept them up to a strength: the 13th Y&L numbered 26 officers and 946 ORs at New Year. The division was rested from 12 January to 7 February 1917, and the troops underwent training. In late February 1917 the Germans began withdrawing to the Hindenburg Line ( Operation Alberich ). They disappeared from
9951-726: Was Lt-Col Raley, formerly of 14th Y&R. On 1 September 1916 the Local Reserve battalions were transferred to the Training Reserve (TR) and the battalion absorbed 15th (Reserve) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment , (reserve to the Hull Pals ) to form 91st Training Reserve Battalion , though the training staff retained their regimental badges. This was still in 21st Reserve Bde. It was redesignated 270th (Infantry) Bn, Training Reserve , on 1 July 1917 and joined 219th Bde of 73rd Division at Danbury, Essex , on 9 July. On 1 November 1917 it
10058-422: Was able to fill the gap, mainly with machine gunners, pioneers, engineers and cyclists. Next day (13 April) a mixed force covered Hazebrouck, with 93rd Bde in reserve at Méteren . Although weak, these troops covered the detrainment at Hazebrouck of 1st Australian Division , who took over the line and drove back the enemy attacks on 14 April. By now 13th Y&L consisted of just 6 officers and 134 ORs. By now 31st
10165-606: Was appointed commanding officer (CO) with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel . The other officers were nominated by the mayor, including Alderman William Raley as acting Major and second-in command. Battalion Headquarters (HQ) was established at the Harvey Institute . By 3 October the Barnsley Battalion had enrolled 1043 men of all ranks, and with recruits still coming in on 27 November the Borough Council offered to raise
10272-438: Was breaking as the two battalions approached the village, and they fell back to their position of the previous morning, while 15th/17th West Yorks reinforced by a company of 2nd Irish Guards clung on round the west of Moyenneville. From 11.00 on 27 March the Germans 'dribbled' infantry forward to maintain a continuous attack against 31st Division. Fighting with grenade and bayonet went on for over 5 hours until 92nd Bde withdrew in
10379-403: Was decided to dispense with any artillery preparation and deliver a surprise attack. Delivered by 13th Y&L and 18th DLI at dusk (19.00) this was entirely successful, not only recapturing La Becque but regaining 40th Division's line and re-establishing touch with the formations on either flank. Next day the adjacent formations were able to pivot back on the firmly established 31st Division, while
10486-460: Was one of the weakest divisions in the BEF. On 16 April 92nd and 93rd Bdes were temporarily amalgamated as '92nd Composite Bde' under the command of Brig-Gen O. de L. Williams of 92nd Bde, with the 13th Y&L and 11th East Lancs forming '94th Composite Bn'. However, the brigades and battalions resumed their separate identities on 18 April, before going back into the line alongside the Australians for
10593-420: Was ordered forward from its position at Outtersteene to support 40th Division , but patrols brought back word that the enemy had penetrated 40th Division's thin line and were at La Becque. 93rd Brigade's orders were cancelled, and it was instead ordered to counter-attack La Becque. Although the brigade was supported by one and a half companies of 31st Machine Gun Bn there was virtually no artillery available, so it
10700-453: Was ordered to watch for opportunities and take advantage of enemy weakening. 92nd Brigade attacked at 15.00. Although there was no surprise and considerable enemy shelling of the back areas, the operation went well. 93rd Brigade was then ordered to cross the Douve stream accompanied by artillery and engineers. With the onset of darkness and the congestion. of the roads, the advanced guard only reached
10807-455: Was so powerful that the assaulting troops met little resistance, taking Gavrelle Mill and Oppy Wood with very few casualties. The leading waves of 13th Y&L were into the German front line within 5 minutes of going 'over the top'. The troops then dug in. and consolidated through the night, 14th Y&L being well established in 'Cairo Alley' by 01.00. There was no counter-attack: in fact the Germans fell back almost 1 mile (1.6 km), expecting
10914-459: Was stepped up at Penkridge. While there Lt-Col Raley's health broke down, and after a spell under Maj T. Carter Clough of the Sheffield City Battalion, 14th Y&R came under the command of Lt-Col Walter Hulke, a former Regular officer of the Lincolns. The 31st Division concentrated at South Camp, Ripon , at the end of July 1915, where the Barnsley ex-miners built the rifle range on which the men of
11021-469: Was still continuing when 31st Division returned to the sector on 8 October. 13th Y&L was billeted in Sarton , 14th Y&L returned to Gezaincourt. Between 13 and 21 October they received large drafts of ' Derby men – 169 to the 13th, 249 to the 14th. Although these men strengthened the units numerically, they diluted the Barnsley character of the battalions. From 18 October the battalions took their places in
11128-584: Was still in reserve at Renaix when the Armistice with Germany came into effect on 11 November 1918. The division began to pull back on 13 November, and by the end of the month was established in camps south of St-Omer and engaged in road repair. Demobilisation (chiefly of coal miners) began on 11 December and proceeded at a steadily increasing rate during early 1919. By May the battalions had been reduced to cadres : 13th Y&L consisted of 4 officers and 36 ORs on 9 May. The division ceased to exist on 20 May and
11235-399: Was to take the village of Serre and form a defensive flank for the rest of Fourth Army . 94th Brigade moved into its assembly trenches in a line of copses (named 'Matthew', 'Mark', 'Luke' and 'John') in front of Colincamps on 30 June. Positioned on the division's left, 94th Bde was to attack on a two-battalion front with the 12th Y&L (left) and 11th East Lancs (right) leading, followed by
11342-516: Was transferred to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) as 52nd (Graduated) Bn. In January 1918 it moved to 208th Bde in 69th Division at Doncaster in West Yorkshire. By May 1918 it was at Welbeck in Nottinghamshire in 207th Bde of 69th Division, and about August 1918 it moved to Clipstone Camp where it remained until the end of the war. After the war it was converted into
11449-486: Was yellow for the 13th Bn, mid-blue for the 14th Bn. Some members of 13th Bn also wore these signs painted on their helmets. After 31st Division was reorganised in February 1918, 13th Bn moved to 93rd Bde, whose sign was a square divided diagonally, white upper right, red lower left, worn on the back beneath the collar. In addition, all ranks wore a horizontal rectangle on both arms divided green over yellow over blue, those being
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