HBC: Accrington Pals room at Town Hall unveiled

A room has been created in Accrington Town Hall dedicated to the memory of the Accrington Pals, with the walls featuring famous images of the Pals, along with interpretation boards telling their poignant story and a range of artefacts on display.

The Mayor, Cllr Marlene Haworth, officially opened the Accrington Pals Room, on Saturday 1st August, helped by Mrs Ruth Turner, wife of the late Bill Turner, celebrated Pals historian and author of many books about the Pals. Five year old Luke Holmes, great, great nephew of Walter Holmes, one of the last original Accrington Pals to be killed in action, was also on hand to cut the ribbon.

The Mayor spoke at the launch of “the terrible shock, horror and grief which was to consume the relatives of the Pals, as the earth shattering news of the fate of their loved ones on that devastating first day of the battle of the Somme filtered through. I’ve heard it said that almost every home in Accrington had their blinds down, or their curtains drawn and the bell at Christ Church tolled all day.”

Cllr Haworth added, "The Pals huge bravery and sacrifice and that of their comrades who fought and fell in World War One, must never be forgotten. It’s our duty to make sure their legacy lives on and the unveiling of this room here today is just a part of that.”

Cllr Haworth also paid tribute to the late Bill Turner saying, “All of us here in Hyndburn owe Ruth’s late husband Bill a huge debt of gratitude, for the way he worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the Accrington Pals, and therefore Accrington and Hyndburn, on the local and national stage. We are indebted to Ruth for all her input and her kind permission to use photos from Bill’s collection and text from his work.”

The Mayor added; “I also want to say a big thanks to Walter Holmes, knowledgeable Pals researcher and historian, who worked closely with Bill and carries on their work."

Leader of the Council, Miles Parkinson, said, "One hundred years ago, the smallest borough in the country raised a battalion which marched past the Town Hall and was cheered on by thousands who turned out to see them off. Then on 1st July 1916 came the Battle of the Somme in which our troops fought bravely, not a single one of them breaking ranks - the rest is history."

He added, "This room will complement the ongoing work to commemorate the Pals, including the area in front of the Town Hall, and a stained glass window will also be fitted once discussions with local groups are completed as to what it should depict."

The Accrington Pals Room will be open during normal Town Hall opening hours and more displays and information are available at Accrington Library and Hyndburn Heritage Museum in the Arndale Centre.