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The Great War and West Yorkshire

Index - 1914 - 1915 - 1916 - 1917 - 1918 - Links - Local Soldiers - Men of Worth Project - Keighley History

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1914

Upon the outbreak of war, Walter Stead, a Leeds Solicitor and council member, asks Lord Kitchener for permission to raise a ‘Pals Battalion’ in Leeds. Edward Brotherton, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, pays for the cost of raising and equipping the battalion. Evidence Link

By September 8^th, 1914, the Leeds Pals had recruited 1275 men. Many others had been rejected on medical grounds.

The Leeds Pals included several ‘famous’ names:

Evelyn Lintott – Leeds / Bradford City footballer. England International.

Morris Flemming. Footballer.

Major Booth – Yorkshire County Cricket Club / England Cricket team.

Arthur Dolphin – Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Roy Kilner – Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Evidence Link

20^th September. Bradford is granted permission to form a ‘Citizens Army League’ (Pals Battalion). It is formed with headquarters at 23 Bridge Street. Evidence Link (pdf file)

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. Evidence link (pdf file)

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 - play clip (1:40)

September / October. Former 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 uniforms from Pope and Bradley at a cost of £2.12s 6d (Breeches) and  a tunic at the cost of £3. 7s 6d. Evidence Link (pdf file)

AUDIO Joining up on Manningham Lane is recalled - play clip (0:27)

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’ next of kin.) From the remaining money, the soldier was expected to purchase buttons, boot polish, cap badges etc.) Evidence link (pdf file)

AUDIO - An ex-Bradford Pals soldier (Second Battalion) recalls enlisting for a pound a week - play clip (1:33) (External Link to Bradford Libraries Heritage Recording Unit sound file)

22^nd September 1914. The first group of Leeds Pals leave for the training camp in North Yorkshire. On 25^th September an estimated 20000 wave off the remainder of the battalion as they leave Leeds Railway station for Masham. Evidence Link

28^th September. Formation of 5^th (Reserve) Battalion (West Yorkshire Regiment). Based at Stensall Camp, York.