Khaki Posted 1 August , 2014 Share Posted 1 August , 2014 If a volunteer came from Cradley Heath what would have been his Pals choices near where he lived. This is a non specific person question, as I don't have an individual in mind. My mothers family came from there and the family names were and are well represented locally, I have seen a number (for the region) on the CWGC site and I am just interested in what would have been the local animation of the "Pals" concept. I know that the area was a hard working industrial region but I don't know or can't imagine what sporting associations or similar that area held. thank you khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John(txic) Posted 1 August , 2014 Share Posted 1 August , 2014 Cradley Heath is in the Black Country; "Pals" Battalions were a Northern phenomenon, and there were no "Pals" battalions raised as such in this area. A word of caution: do not confuse Cradley and Cradley Heath: although adjacent, they belonged to different counties! I can recommend this website on Cradley and the Great War: http://www.cradleylinks.com/cradley_war_memorial.html - but I am unaware of anything similar for Cradley Heath. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 1 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 August , 2014 Thanks John, khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin kenf48 Posted 1 August , 2014 Admin Share Posted 1 August , 2014 This earlier thread discussed recruiting in the Black Country many recruits went into the TF Battalions of the South Staffs and Worcestershire Regiment although there was an attempt to raise a new army 'Walsall Battalion' http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=214426&hl=%2Bblack+%2Bcountry Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 1 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 August , 2014 Thanks Ken, Some good reading there ! khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoch beard Posted 12 August , 2014 Share Posted 12 August , 2014 the rowley regis company (enlisted old hill) of the 5th south staffordshire regiment is you best bet! started enlisting october 1914, men mostly chainmakers, strikers, coal miners etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 13 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 13 August , 2014 the rowley regis company (enlisted old hill) of the 5th south staffordshire regiment is you best bet! started enlisting october 1914, men mostly chainmakers, strikers, coal miners etc Excellent, thank you, I will see what I can find. khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alantwo Posted 13 August , 2014 Share Posted 13 August , 2014 Khahi There is a list of Pals Battalions in the UK, admittedly on Wikipedia, but see the link below. They appear to be taken from 'British Regiments 1914-18' by Brigadier E A James. There were three Birmingham Pals Battalions within the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Link: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pals_battalions There is a book by Terry Carter 'Birmingham Pals: History of the 14th, 15th and 16th (Service) Battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment' available via Amazon. Regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 13 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 13 August , 2014 Thanks Alan, I will check those out as well khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alantwo Posted 13 August , 2014 Share Posted 13 August , 2014 Khaki I'm not sure whether this television programme is available on the internet but I've just watched a recording of an ITV production of 'Brothers in Arms' which I believe was originally broadcast a couple of weeks ago in the UK. Primarily about the 'Pals' who joined up together. Ted Francis of the Birmingham Pals recited a poem about his friend 'Spotty', very moving. Regards Alan Edit: There is a version of 'Spotty' with Ted Francis on you tube, just found it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 21 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 21 August , 2014 Sorry to be so long getting back to you Alan, I did watch Ted Francis recite 'So Long Spotty', you are right, it is VERY moving and I highly recommend it to those who wish to understand that the loss of pal's 'gone west' never faded away. khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 21 August , 2014 Share Posted 21 August , 2014 I visited Ted Francis a few times and had the pleasure of listening to him do his "Spotty"recital a couple of times. He even let me film him. I have it somewhere on a vhs tape. He was a true gentleman Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now