100 Stories > The Pals (1915)

Formed at the start of the war, the 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals, was the product of the rush to arms when friends and colleagues joined in the “great adventure.”

Burnley contributed about a quarter of its strength.

Taken at Penkridge Bank camp in 1915, the group photograph includes (front row, starting second left) Sid Edwards, Harry Platt, Harry Proctor and Fred Ashworth. John Davies is standing far right. All saw action 1st July, 1916, at the Battle of the Somme.