On the 2nd August 1915, one of the most recognised photographs of the Accrington Pals was taken, showing Lieutenant Colonel A.W. Rickman, astride his horse Ben, proudly leading the Pals marching past Accrington Town Hall, watched and cheered by the Mayor of Accrington, John Harwood and a huge crowd of well-wishers.
A room has now been created in Accrington Town Hall dedicated to the memory of the Accrington Pals, with the walls featuring this famous image and many more pictures of the Pals, along with interpretation boards telling their poignant story and a range of artefacts on display.
As we approached the centenary of the day this iconic photograph was taken, I was honoured to officially open the Accrington Pals Room, on Saturday 1st August. I was
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 and what a great job he did!
It was a deeply poignant occasion and everyone was moved as I spoke 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.
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 the Accrington Pals Room is just a part of that.
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.
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.
There have been many others involved in this project, including staff from the Council, the Library, the Hyndburn Heritage Museum, the Royal British Legion and the members of the Accrington Pals Group - a big thanks to them all too.
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.
Looking ahead, commemorations are planned in Accrington and France on 1 July 2016, with an early morning special Council meeting and a maroon flare at 7.30am in Accrington, to mark one hundred years since the Pals went 'over the top' and books of honour presentations and wreaths will be laid at the Accrington Pals memorial in France.
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