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Pals Battalions

Many famous people served in the "Pals Battalions" in the First World War and their Medal cards are now available to view on DocumentsOnline.

Introduction

Men about to enlist (Catalogue reference RAIL 253/516)

When war broke out in August 1914 most people in Britain expected it to be "over by Christmas". In those early days there was no shortage of volunteers; half a million men joined up within weeks. However, some expected the war would last longer. General Henry Rawlinson, the Commander of the 4th Army, devised a recruitment scheme to maintain the momentum. He saw that patriotism alone would not be enough and sensed that men might join up if they were able to serve alongside their relatives, friends, neighbours, workmates or colleagues. These regiments became known as "Pals Battalions".

One of the first Pals Battalions raised was the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers which was later referred to as the "Stockbrokers' Battalion". That August a recruiting office was set up on Throgmorton Street in the City of London. Within hours 210 men had enlisted and within days this had risen to 1,600 men. Lord Derby coined the phrase "battalion of pals" and he was inspired to raise a battalion in Liverpool. 1,500 men enlisted over the course of one day and after a few days, enough volunteers for four battalions.

Cities, towns, workplaces and sporting teams across Britain and Ireland rallied to the cause. From September 1914 to June 1916, 643 battalions were raised locally (traditional recruitment methods raised 351 infantry battalions). Volunteers for the Pals Battalions came forward from all walks of life, for example:

The Leeds Pals

The 15th (service) Battalion (1st Leeds) The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) was known as "The Leeds Pals". Amongst its ranks were sportsmen such as Yorkshire County Cricket Club players, athletes and footballers.

All-rounder Major William Booth ("Major" was his first name) was a rising star at Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) who played in two test matches before joining up. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.

Left-handed batsman, Roy Kilner's wounded wrist ensured that he did not take part in the Battle of the Somme. He returned to county cricket emerging as a true all-rounder and one of YCCC's key players in the 1920s. Although Kilner spent the winter of 1927-1928 coaching in India, he died from Enteric fever the following April.

Evelyn Lintott was a teacher who became a footballer, appearing for Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Bradford City and Leeds City. He was also active in the Players Union and became head of the Professional Footballers' Assocation (PFA). He was the first professional footballer to gain a commission. He died in action at the Somme.

Click on the images below to see the medal cards of Major Booth, Roy Kilner and Evelyn Lintott.

The Footballers' Battalion

The 17th Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment was known as the "Footballers' Battalion". Clapton Orient (now Leyton Orient) was the first English Football League club to enlist together. Following the example of club captain, Fred Parker, around 40 players and staff volunteered. Leading goal-scorers Richard McFadden and William Jonas were amongst those killed during the Battle of the Somme. You can see their medal cards here:

McCrae's Own

The 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Edinburgh) was known variously as Sir George McCrae's Battalion or "McCrae's Own" or, locally, as "Hearts Battalion". The entire Heart of Midlothian first team joined up in November 1914. Hearts were top of the Scottish League at the time.

McCrae's Own also found volunteers from the squads of Raith Rovers, Dunfermline and Falkirk, along with amateur players from Dalkeith Thistle, Linlithgow Rose, Newtongrange Star, Pumpherston Rangers and West End Athletic, as well as other sportsmen and Edinburgh's many Hearts and Hibernian supporters. McCrae's Own suffered enormous losses in "The Big Push" of July 1916. In spite of this they still managed to penetrate deeper into the enemy line than any other regiment.

Click on the images below to see the medal cards of Hearts players Alfie Briggs, wounded so badly at the Somme that he was discharged, and E M ("Ted") M'Guire. Sometimes Ted M'Guire's surname is written "McGuire", as on his medal index card.

The Dublin Pals

Despite the complex and divisive political situation at home, Irishmen signed up to serve alongside each other. "D" Company of the 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers drew from both the professional and labouring classes. It was known with affection as the "Toffs among the Toughs". 450 students from University College Dublin and 869 from Trinity College, interrupted their studies to enlist with "The Dubs" or "The Dublin Pals". Trinity graduates also volunteered including Belfast-born dramatist and novelist St John Ervine. Former students of Clongowes Wood College enlisted, including the poet and national economist Tom Kettle who died at the Battle of Ginchy in September 1916. You can see the medal cards of Ervine and Kettle below:

Further information