{"id":4717,"date":"2018-08-13T20:47:32","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T20:47:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/?page_id=4717"},"modified":"2026-05-31T17:48:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T17:48:04","slug":"bradford-pals-at-war","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/world-history\/first-world-war\/bradford-pals-at-war\/","title":{"rendered":"Bradford Pals at War"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 1st July 1916 the Bradford Pals (16\/18 West Yorkshire Regiment) were at the heart of the assault on the Somme. Drawn from the mill city of Bradford they were tasked with taking objectives in and around the fortified village of Serre. The West Yorkshire Regiment suffered the highest casualty rates of any sent into battle on the first day of the Somme. The men of the area also fought elsewhere with detachments seeing action in the Middle East. This page provides a brief overview of their involvement in the First World War.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bradford Pals at War<\/h2>\n

1914<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Upon the outbreak of war<\/a>, Walter Stead, a Leeds Solicitor and council member, asks Lord Kitchener for permission to raise a \u2018Pals Battalion\u2019 in Leeds. Edward Brotherton, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, pays for the cost of raising and equipping the battalion.\u00a0Evidence Link<\/a><\/p>\n

By\u00a0September 8th<\/sup>, 1914<\/strong>, the Leeds Pals had recruited 1275 men. Many others had been rejected on\u00a0medical\u00a0grounds.<\/p>\n

The Leeds Pals included several \u2018famous\u2019 names:<\/p>\n

Evelyn Lintott \u2013 Leeds \/ Bradford City footballer.\u00a0England International.<\/p>\n

Morris Flemming.\u00a0Footballer.<\/p>\n

Major Booth \u2013 Yorkshire County Cricket Club \/ England Cricket team.<\/p>\n

Arthur Dolphin \u2013 Yorkshire County Cricket Club<\/p>\n

Roy Kilner \u2013 Yorkshire County Cricket Club<\/p>\n

\"Leeds<\/a>
Leeds Pals 1914<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20th<\/sup>\u00a0September<\/strong>. Bradford is granted permission to form a \u2018Citizens Army League\u2019 (Pals Battalion). It is formed with headquarters at 23 Bridge Street.<\/p>\n

Arthur Wadsworth is rejected by the Bradford pals due to his age (16). Disgusted at his rejection, he walks to Leeds, tells them he is 19 and is accepted into the Leeds Pals.<\/p>\n

A man describes the medical examination he underwent prior to enlisting and how he had to do exercises to expand his chest before he was accepted –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(1:40)<\/p>\n

September \/ October<\/strong>.\u00a0Former members of the Bradford Grammar School Officer Cadet Corps are recruited as officers for the Bradford Pals. Many had no military experience beyond brief afternoon training sessions at the school. They were expected to purchase their own\u00a0uniforms\u00a0from Pope and Bradley at a cost of \u00a32.12s 6d (Breeches)\u00a0and\u00a0\u00a0a\u00a0tunic at the cost of \u00a33.\u00a07s 6d.<\/p>\n

AUDIO<\/strong>\u00a0Joining up on Manningham Lane is recalled –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(0:27)<\/p>\n

Pay for recruits to the Bradford Pals in 1914: Lodgings allowance of 21 shillings per week and pay of 7 shillings per week (Of which half was to be given to the soldiers\u2019 next of kin.) From the remaining money, the soldier was expected to purchase buttons, boot polish, cap badges etc.)<\/p>\n

AUDIO<\/strong>\u00a0– An ex-Bradford Pals soldier (Second Battalion) recalls enlisting for a pound a week –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(1:33) (External Link to\u00a0Bradford Libraries<\/a>\u00a0Heritage Recording Unit sound file)<\/p>\n

22nd<\/sup>\u00a0September 1914<\/strong>. The first group of Leeds Pals leave for the training camp in North Yorkshire. On 25th<\/sup>\u00a0September an estimated 20000 wave off the remainder of the battalion as they leave Leeds Railway station for Masham.<\/p>\n

1915<\/h3>\n

14th<\/sup>\u00a0January<\/strong>. The First Battalion of the Bradford Pals march from Bradford city centre to training facilities in Skipton.<\/p>\n

A dual purpose Battalion is recruited across West Yorkshire. The 21st<\/sup>\u00a0Service (Pioneers) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, was to combine infantry duties with Pioneer duties.<\/p>\n

AUDIO<\/strong>: A soldier recalls being sent to Bradford in 1915 to recruit local men –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(1:15)<\/p>\n

February<\/strong>.\u00a0A second Pals Battalion is raised in Bradford.\u00a0(18th<\/sup>\u00a0Service Battalion, Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment).<\/p>\n

May.<\/strong>\u00a016th<\/sup>\u00a0and 18th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalions (First and Second Bradford pals) transfer to Ripon. Here they are integrated into the main army and are given Khaki uniforms \u2013 they had previously worn blue uniforms, made in Bradford of worsted wool.<\/p>\n

AUDIO\u00a0<\/strong>A man remembers how the 1st Pals wore blue uniforms but his battalion wore khaki. He recalls marching to Ripon from Bradford, the songs the marchers sang and the state of his feet! –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(2:08)<\/p>\n

Jack Hobbs signs for Idle Cricket Club. He plays for them in the Bradford League for the duration of the war, winning the League Title in his first season with the club.<\/p>\n

July.<\/strong>\u00a0The reserves of the First and Second Bradford pals are transferred to Colstersdale (home of the Leeds pals training camp) to merge with the 2 reserve battalions of the Leeds pals and form the 19th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion (Local Reserve) West Yorkshire Regiment. The group was too large though and was later split into 2 groups, the 19th<\/sup>\u00a0and 20th<\/sup>\u00a0reserve Battalions, the latter being transferred to Nottinghamshire.<\/p>\n

5th<\/sup>\u00a0July<\/strong>. Donald Bell<\/strong>, footballer for Bradford (Park Avenue) attacks an enemy trench armed with grenades. He clears the trench single-handedly. His actions result in the awarding of the Victoria Cross<\/strong>. Bell is the only professional footballer to have ever received this honour.<\/p>\n

6th<\/sup>\u00a0December<\/strong>. The Transport section of the Leeds Pals boards HMS Shropshire and set sail for Port Said, Egypt. They are followed by the remainder of the Leeds Pals and the rest of the division on December 7th, who sail on \u2018The Empress of Britain.\u2019 The Empress also carries the 16th<\/sup>\u00a0and 18th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalions (West Yorks \u2013 Bradford pals) and the 18th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Durham pals) who collectively formed the 93rd<\/sup>\u00a0Brigade.<\/p>\n

Note: only the officers knew the destination of the Empress. The \u2018ordinary\u2019 men were left to Speculate as to where they were going: Gallipoli or India\u00a0were\u00a0popular rumours.<\/p>\n

AUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0Troop movements around England and a confrontation with an Italian ship off the coast of Malta are remembered –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(1:43)<\/p>\n

AUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0A man recalls spending his birthday in Egypt in 1915 –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(1:02)<\/p>\n

22nd<\/sup>\u00a0December<\/strong>. The Leeds Pals disembark at Port Said and march 32 miles up the Suez Canal. They are assigned a number of defensive positions which they guard until March 1st\u00a0<\/sup>1916 when they are withdrawn due to the likelihood of a major Turkish assault.\u00a0Evidence link<\/a><\/p>\n

1916<\/h3>\n

13th<\/sup>\u00a0January<\/strong>.\u00a05th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion transfer to Salisbury Plain for training.<\/p>\n

February<\/strong>.\u00a0An example of censorship gone badly wrong!\u00a0In the Yorkshire Observer on\u00a018th February<\/strong>\u00a0appeared a photograph of several Bradfordian officers. The caption reads, \u201cOff duty Bradford officers, \u201cSomewhere in the East\u201d.\u00a0Understandable that the location isn\u2019t going to be given away.\u00a0A quick glance at the Pyramid and Sphinx in the background might help the enemy to locate them though!<\/p>\n

\"Bradford<\/a><\/p>\n

March 1916<\/strong>. The Leeds Pals board HMS Asconia and sail from Port Said to France. In France they are assigned a position on the Somme front. They are initially billeted at merelassat (16th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion, 1st<\/sup>\u00a0Bradford pals) and Citerne (18th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion, 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0Bradford Pals)<\/p>\n

AUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0A soldier remembers travelling on the ship Empress of Britain and landing at Marseilles –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(0:24)<\/p>\n

AUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0Travelling across France in a cattle truck –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(1:42)<\/p>\n

March \/ April<\/strong>.\u00a0\u2018Half companies\u2019 of the Leeds and Bradford pals are attached to the Durham Light Infantry who are in the front line, in order for them to gain experience of fighting conditions. A number of officers and NCO\u2019s were also temporarily assigned to the Durham LI to gain experience.<\/p>\n

AUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0A man recalls his first time in the trenches –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(2.28)<\/p>\n

22nd<\/sup>\u00a0April<\/strong>.\u00a0First Casualty for the Bradford Pals<\/strong>.\u00a0Private E MacKay is seriously wounded by shrapnel. The following day brought the first fatalities, Privates Smith, Slingsby and Bannister<\/strong> being killed by shelling.<\/p>\n

June 4th<\/sup><\/strong>.\u00a0First officers to be killed.\u00a0Lieutenant Laxton is killed immediately as shells hit C company HQ and Captain H Russell dies after being buried as a result of the shelling.<\/p>\n

June 8th<\/sup><\/strong>. 5th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion placed on Coastal Defence duties at Lowestoft.<\/p>\n

Local soldier, Noel Hodgson, wrote a poem, \u2018Before Action\u2019 towards the end of\u00a0June 1916<\/strong>. The poem\u00a0can be found on this webpage.<\/a>\u00a0It was published 2 days before he was killed in action.<\/p>\n

Bradford Pals: Carnage on The Somme<\/h3>\n

07.39am July 1st<\/sup>\u00a01916<\/strong>. The Pals go \u2018over the top\u2019 as part of the Somme Offensive. They attack the village of Serre<\/strong>. 13 officers of the Leeds Pals are killed on the day. 2 more later die of wounds sustained in the attack. 209 other ranks are killed on the day, with a further 24 later dying of wounds.<\/p>\n

The Battle of the Somme<\/a><\/p>\n

ORDERS AND OBJECTIVES<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First Objective – 15th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion (Leeds pals) objective \u2013 German trench K30c 2.6 to K30c 1.9 (Green Line)<\/p>\n

Second Objective – 16th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion (Leeds pals) objective \u2013 \u2018Leap Frog\u2019 the 15th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion and reach and take K36a 8.7 (Red Line)<\/p>\n

Remainder of 15th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion \u2013 consolidate Red Line.<\/p>\n

Third Objective \u2013 16th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion to take line between orchard and a copse (L25a 7.4 to L23a 2.6) (Brown Line)<\/p>\n

Fourth Objective \u2013 18th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion (Bradford pals) objective \u2013 take and garrison German trenches between L25a 7.4 to L26a 5.6 (Blue Line)<\/p>\n

To see the geography of these references, see the Somme chapter in\u00a0this document.<\/a><\/p>\n

A detailed account, including many stories as told by survivors of the battle, can be found in\u00a0this document.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

AUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0A man describes his fear at the front –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(0.27)
\nAUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0The way in which a soldier might be recommended for a commission –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(0.21)
\nAUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0The trench positions of the Bradford Pals –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(0.52)
\nAUDIO:<\/strong>\u00a0A man talks of his feelings during the Battle of the Somme –\u00a0play clip<\/a>\u00a0(0.26)<\/p>\n

\"Map<\/a><\/p>\n

July 6th<\/sup><\/strong>. Bradford Pals withdrawn from the Somme.<\/p>\n

27th<\/sup>\u00a0July<\/strong>. Bradford Pals take up position in front lines at Neuve Chappelle. That evening a German raid on the trench is successful and results in a number of prisoners being taken. This included several officers and Dickie Bond, the England footballer. (6 killed, 42 wounded of whom 4 later died of wounds and 36 missing assumed taken prisoner)<\/p>\n

21st<\/sup>\u00a0August<\/strong>.\u00a0LOW MOOR EXPLOSION<\/strong>.\u00a0The Low Moor Munitions factory exploded killing 34 and injuring 60 more workers and fire-fighters. Many others were injured in the local area. Buildings upto 2 miles away were damaged by the blast. Over 30 railway wagons were destroyed and a further 100 badly damaged.<\/p>\n

September 5th<\/sup><\/strong>. Private H Crimmins and Private A Wild, 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0Bradford pals, are executed after a court martial<\/strong> finds them guilty of desertion.<\/p>\n

Mid September.\u00a0Bradford Pals on front line at Givenchy.<\/p>\n

25\/26 September<\/strong>:\u00a0ZEPPELIN RAID<\/strong>\u00a0on York and Leeds.\u00a0Evidence Link<\/a><\/p>\n

October 21st<\/sup><\/strong>. 93rd<\/sup>\u00a0Brigade (Includes Leeds \/ Bradford Pals) moved to Hebuturne sector.<\/p>\n

October 23rd<\/sup><\/strong>. \u2018Winkling\u2019 parties begin. This involves small patrols attempting to find isolated German sentries, capture them and then \u2018winkle\u2019 out prisoners from dug-outs behind the sentry post.<\/p>\n

December 31st<\/sup><\/strong>. Brigade relieved.\u00a018th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion remain in front lines until\u00a0January 10th<\/sup><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1917<\/h3>\n

5th<\/sup>\u00a0January<\/strong>. 5th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion leave Southampon for Le Havre. From here they travel to Fortel for training.<\/p>\n

January 10th<\/sup><\/strong>. 93rd<\/sup>\u00a0Brigade\u00a0begin\u00a0training in newly introduced platoon tactics. They do so in the Doullens-Bernaville area.<\/p>\n

February 14th<\/sup><\/strong>. 5th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion moved into the front lines for the first time at Ten Tree Alley.<\/p>\n

February 21st<\/sup><\/strong>.\u00a0The 93rd<\/sup>\u00a0Brigade return to the front lines.\u00a0They are put in the line at Gommersal Park in the Hebuturne Sector. Upon arriving at the front, it appears that the germans have withdrawn from their front line positions and withdrawn to the Hindenburg Line. Patrols are followed by a stronger force\u00a0who\u00a0infiltrate the first and second lines of the now deserted German lines. However once these forces reach the second line, they are hit hard by German counter attacks, snipers and Bombardments. Ongoing fighting continues until\u00a0March 4th<\/sup><\/strong>\u00a0when the 93rd<\/sup>\u00a0Brigade\u00a0are\u00a0relieved by the York and Lancasters. The non stop fighting had resulted in several units being decimated; many men being stranded in no-mans land and a large number of fatalities and injuries being inflicted upon the Bradford Pals.<\/p>\n

A detailed account of the fighting at Gommersal Park can be found in Chapter 6 of \u201cThe Bradford Pals\u201d available\u00a0online in this pdf file.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

2nd<\/sup>\u00a0May<\/strong>.\u00a05th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion move up for attack on Bullecourt.<\/p>\n

July 20th<\/sup><\/strong>. The Bradford Pals are posted into the front lines at Neuville St. Vaast. Action seen by the West Yorkshire Battalion whilst in this area can be read in detail in Chapter 7 of \u201cThe Bradford Pals\u201d which can be\u00a0found in this pdf file.<\/a>\u00a0Action on this part of the front lasted throughout\u00a0Autumn\u00a0and Winter. It included day and night patrols, resisting of enemy attacks and included liaison with British Aircraft.<\/p>\n

Bradford Textile Mills are producing 250,000 yards of Khaki per week for the army.\u00a0Link.<\/a><\/p>\n

30th<\/sup>\u00a0October to 12th<\/sup>\u00a0November<\/strong>.\u00a05th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion train for the Cambrai offensive.<\/p>\n

20th<\/sup>\u00a0November<\/strong>. 5th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion attack and capture Havrincourt.<\/p>\n

1918<\/h3>\n

31st<\/sup>\u00a0January<\/strong>.\u00a0orders\u00a0received to disband the 18th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (2nd<\/sup>\u00a0Bradford pals). 16th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion posted to Arleux Sector.<\/p>\n

11th<\/sup>\u00a0February<\/strong>. 16th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalion relieved from the front lines.<\/p>\n

February 28th<\/sup><\/strong>. Officers and men transferred to 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0Entrenching Battalion as the Bradford Pals are disbanded.<\/p>\n

20th<\/sup>\u00a0July<\/strong>. 5th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion attack Marfaux. 80 men of 2\/5th<\/sup>\u00a0are killed. In the week that followed, 2\/3rds of the 2\/5th<\/sup>\u00a0Battalions fighting strength is killed or wounded.<\/p>\n

18th<\/sup>\u00a0August<\/strong>. 2\/5th<\/sup>\u00a0(Reserve) Battalion formally disbanded.<\/p>\n

Post War<\/h3>\n

1922. Memorial to the Bradford Pals who died on the First day of the Somme unveiled.\u00a0Link<\/a>,\u00a0Link 2<\/a><\/p>\n

1935. Memorial Cairn placed at Colstersdale, the site of the Leeds Pals first training camp.<\/p>\n

2002. Memorial to the Bradford Pals unveiled at Hebuterne.\u00a0Link<\/a><\/p>\n

November 2007<\/strong>. JB Priestley\u2019s unpublished letters from the First World War are donated to the University of Bradford and made available for public viewing.\u00a0Link<\/a>.\u00a0Further information about Priestley\u2019s wartime experience can be found on\u00a0firstworldwar.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

2nd Lieutenant Donald Bell<\/a><\/p>\n

Jimmy Speirs<\/a><\/p>\n

Robert Torrance<\/a><\/p>\n

Evelyn Lintott<\/a><\/p>\n

Gerarld Kirk<\/a><\/p>\n

James Comrie<\/a><\/p>\n

Jimmy Conlin<\/a><\/p>\n

Ernest Goodwin<\/a><\/p>\n

George Draycott<\/a><\/p>\n

Harry Potter<\/a><\/p>\n

Dickie Bond<\/a><\/p>\n

Harold Clayton<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On 1st July 1916 the Bradford Pals (16\/18 West Yorkshire Regiment) were at the heart of the assault on the Somme. Drawn from the mill city of Bradford they were tasked with taking objectives in and around the fortified village of Serre. The West Yorkshire Regiment suffered the highest casualty rates of any sent into… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4719,"parent":144,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4717","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t