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The Birmingham Pals in the Great War
- Thread starter Steve R
- Start date
maypolebaz
master brummie
I see the Sergeant has managed to be the only one with a sling for his P14, "privilege of rank" they used to call that !
i wonder what that strap across his chest was for ?
Steve R
master brummie
Maypolebaz
Yeh, saw the strap. No idea what that is doesn't seem to be any of the usual 14 pattern equipment and the postcard isn't giving it away I have had another look.
If you are interested in the Birmingham Pals read Terry Carters book if you haven't already both versions are equally as good.
More pictures to follow tomorrow.
Steve R
Yeh, saw the strap. No idea what that is doesn't seem to be any of the usual 14 pattern equipment and the postcard isn't giving it away I have had another look.
If you are interested in the Birmingham Pals read Terry Carters book if you haven't already both versions are equally as good.
More pictures to follow tomorrow.
Steve R
maypolebaz
master brummie
Cheers Steve
I look forward to seeing the next batch of pictures.
Yes, I've read Terry Carter's excellent book, got it on my kindle in fact.
Steve R
master brummie
Two more postcards of the Pals under canvas
View attachment 100898 View attachment 100899
I am not sure where the first picture was taken or which Battalion. The second picture has Wensley written on the back which dates it to June - July 1915. It may be the end of July as the troops prepare to leave for a Musketry Course at Hornsea, I say that as they appear to have packed ready to leave.
Steve R
View attachment 100898 View attachment 100899
I am not sure where the first picture was taken or which Battalion. The second picture has Wensley written on the back which dates it to June - July 1915. It may be the end of July as the troops prepare to leave for a Musketry Course at Hornsea, I say that as they appear to have packed ready to leave.
Steve R
Steve R
master brummie
This next series of picture relate to Private 991 Jim Randle D Company 3rd Birmingham Pals
Jim was born on the 2nd February 1893. He was in a relationship with Ethel Hill who lived at 9 Clissold Street, Hockley. Both during training and when he went to France he sent many letters and cards which have survived although some like this are very delicate. This letter is from the time the 3rd Pals were at 'Wensley'
Steve R
Jim was born on the 2nd February 1893. He was in a relationship with Ethel Hill who lived at 9 Clissold Street, Hockley. Both during training and when he went to France he sent many letters and cards which have survived although some like this are very delicate. This letter is from the time the 3rd Pals were at 'Wensley'
Steve R
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Steve R
master brummie
Reading the letters from Jim he was the Barber of the 3rd Pals as letter state that men are waiting to have their hair cut.
Letter dated 17th October from Codford Camp. It is clear that although the Soldiers wish to know where they will serve when they get posted they still do not know where they will be posted. Some thought they would be posted in England on home service, the letter mentioned serving in In India. The other two picture are also with his letters and I will post more letters from Jim as his and the 1st and 2nd Battalions will move from Codford and over to France on the 21st November.
Steve R
Letter dated 17th October from Codford Camp. It is clear that although the Soldiers wish to know where they will serve when they get posted they still do not know where they will be posted. Some thought they would be posted in England on home service, the letter mentioned serving in In India. The other two picture are also with his letters and I will post more letters from Jim as his and the 1st and 2nd Battalions will move from Codford and over to France on the 21st November.
Steve R
sheldontony
master brummie
Maypole baz, I enjoy reading on my Kindle, where did you find Terry's book, amazon?
maypolebaz
master brummie
Yes mate, it was kindle.
I've always been a bookworm so I find it handy to be able to load up my kindle when I go away instead of shoving a load of paperbacks in my suitcase !
I've always been a bookworm so I find it handy to be able to load up my kindle when I go away instead of shoving a load of paperbacks in my suitcase !
sheldontony
master brummie
Maypoebaz, couldnt agree more. When i pop back to UK I never take a book, I find Kindle meets all my needs, emails, internet, reading material, music. So much more convenient. I find reading material from lots of sources, Book Bub etc.
Steve R
master brummie
A selection of Birmingham Pals, all appear to be from the 2nd Birmingham Pals
I think many pictures were taken by Birmingham Studios. The first picture has 'Aston Photographers and Picture framers Royal Town Studio Birmingham Road Sutton Coldfield as does the second. The fourth has Walter Wooten 39 High Street Quarry Bank. Making the names out on the front however is a little more difficult.
Steve R
Steve R
I think many pictures were taken by Birmingham Studios. The first picture has 'Aston Photographers and Picture framers Royal Town Studio Birmingham Road Sutton Coldfield as does the second. The fourth has Walter Wooten 39 High Street Quarry Bank. Making the names out on the front however is a little more difficult.
Steve R
Steve R
terry carter
Birmingham Pals
Excellent pictures Steve.
I have just returned from the Somme and you have been busy while I've been away!
Thank you for mentioning my book "Birmingham Pals". I have been informed it can be found in "The Works" for about 12 pounds, which is a lot cheaper than I get them from the publisher.
Regards
Terry Carter
If there are any queries regarding the Birmingham Pals no doubt myself and Steve would find the answer
I have just returned from the Somme and you have been busy while I've been away!
Thank you for mentioning my book "Birmingham Pals". I have been informed it can be found in "The Works" for about 12 pounds, which is a lot cheaper than I get them from the publisher.
Regards
Terry Carter
If there are any queries regarding the Birmingham Pals no doubt myself and Steve would find the answer
maypolebaz
master brummie
The soldier in the fourth picture, ("S.Tate" ?), was he in a Pals Bn ? His cap badge would suggest that he wasn't.
terry carter
Birmingham Pals
Within a couple of weeks of being raised the Birmingham Pals started to lose men due to them being commissioned the 1st Birmingham Battalion had over 400 men commissioned thus their replacements even though they wore the Blue uniform sometimes were issued with the standard Royal Warwickshire Regiment cap badge.
maypolebaz
master brummie
Thanks for clearing that up Terry
terry carter
Birmingham Pals
Post No.5 This is 1st Birmingham Battalion
terry carter
Birmingham Pals
Hi Steve
I recognise a couple of faces that were definitely 1st Birmingham Battalion.
Regards
Terry
I recognise a couple of faces that were definitely 1st Birmingham Battalion.
Regards
Terry
Steve R
master brummie
Very nice picture of five officers from D Company 2nd Birmingham Pals
Officer left to right
Captain F H Timings XIII D Company
2nd Lieut Broughton in the coat
2nd Lieut Slade in the centre second in command.
2nd Lieut Tatlow
2nd Lieut R I Gough
This is how they are listed on the rear of the postcard but some achieved promotion. There appear to be having a little lunch and very relaxed. Two of them have their hip flask so obviously liked a tipple with their sandwiches.
Steve R
Officer left to right
Captain F H Timings XIII D Company
2nd Lieut Broughton in the coat
2nd Lieut Slade in the centre second in command.
2nd Lieut Tatlow
2nd Lieut R I Gough
This is how they are listed on the rear of the postcard but some achieved promotion. There appear to be having a little lunch and very relaxed. Two of them have their hip flask so obviously liked a tipple with their sandwiches.
Steve R
Steve R
master brummie
A couple of picture concerning physical fitness a key part of the training to make these men fit fighting soldiers.
An interesting postcard of the 17th reserve battalion formed from the men remaining from the volunteers. Look closely and there are several things of note. Clearly 'fencing' was practiced as there are two Lee Enfield Rifles with bayonets on and face masks, something I have not seen before. Also, sadly several of the men have numbers. The rear of the cards say:
No 1 Sgt Luckman
No 2 Sgt C Smith
No 3 Sgt Walters (Killed) Terry's book shows a Sgt W Walters 1540 killed on the 3rd September 1916 and does not have a known Grave
No 4 Sgt Philpot
No 5 Sgt Hiley
No 6 isn't name
Steve R
An interesting postcard of the 17th reserve battalion formed from the men remaining from the volunteers. Look closely and there are several things of note. Clearly 'fencing' was practiced as there are two Lee Enfield Rifles with bayonets on and face masks, something I have not seen before. Also, sadly several of the men have numbers. The rear of the cards say:
No 1 Sgt Luckman
No 2 Sgt C Smith
No 3 Sgt Walters (Killed) Terry's book shows a Sgt W Walters 1540 killed on the 3rd September 1916 and does not have a known Grave
No 4 Sgt Philpot
No 5 Sgt Hiley
No 6 isn't name
Steve R
Steve R
master brummie
This next postcard has a nice date for use of February 1915. No 5 class under CSM North
Hopefully the picture will show that several of the men are named. Similar the previous picture I posted but this one states it is the 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire regiment meaning the 1st Birmingham Pals.
Steve R
Hopefully the picture will show that several of the men are named. Similar the previous picture I posted but this one states it is the 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire regiment meaning the 1st Birmingham Pals.
Steve R
Steve R
master brummie
Interesting picture of the reserve 17th Battalion. Looking at this picture it has some similarities of pictures taken of the 14th Battalion (1st B'ham Pals) that were taken in Sutton Park.
This postcard is interesting for a couple of reasons. There are four soldiers at the very front and four name on the rear of the card.
Lt Col Bowhill (Commanding officer) Major Hocks (I think) 2nd in charge, Capt Riley officer commanding B Company and 2lt Ayre as Adjutant.
Also looking in the back ground I think that may be the Crystal Palace once the head quarters of the 1st B'ham Pals who had moved on when this picture would have been taken. Perhaps Terry could confirm or put me right. I believe the Crystal palace was burnt down some years later.
I think the 17 Reserve can often be over looked as they didn't go out to France with the original Pals as such but were used to replace soldiers lost by the other three battalions, but make no mistake many of the reserve soldiers were killed in future battles, being replacements didn't keep them much safer for long
Steve R
This postcard is interesting for a couple of reasons. There are four soldiers at the very front and four name on the rear of the card.
Lt Col Bowhill (Commanding officer) Major Hocks (I think) 2nd in charge, Capt Riley officer commanding B Company and 2lt Ayre as Adjutant.
Also looking in the back ground I think that may be the Crystal Palace once the head quarters of the 1st B'ham Pals who had moved on when this picture would have been taken. Perhaps Terry could confirm or put me right. I believe the Crystal palace was burnt down some years later.
I think the 17 Reserve can often be over looked as they didn't go out to France with the original Pals as such but were used to replace soldiers lost by the other three battalions, but make no mistake many of the reserve soldiers were killed in future battles, being replacements didn't keep them much safer for long
Steve R
terry carter
Birmingham Pals
Hello Steve
Due to men being commissioned from the three battalions during their training period, each battalion raised a reserve "E" Company. When the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Birmingham Pals left Birmingham in June 1915 to continue their training in Yorkshire each reserve company remained and amalgamated to become the 17th Reserve Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt.
Terry
Due to men being commissioned from the three battalions during their training period, each battalion raised a reserve "E" Company. When the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Birmingham Pals left Birmingham in June 1915 to continue their training in Yorkshire each reserve company remained and amalgamated to become the 17th Reserve Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt.
Terry
terry carter
Birmingham Pals
Steve R
master brummie
Terry
Great picture that. It would be nice to post as many Pals picture as members have as don't have that many left to post without posting similar ones to those posted already. But I haven't run out yet! I have a few to post before I leave for the Somme next week.
Almost certainly the 1st or 2nd Pals pictured outside one of there huts from what I can tell. Unfortunately no name on the back of this one
Steve R
Great picture that. It would be nice to post as many Pals picture as members have as don't have that many left to post without posting similar ones to those posted already. But I haven't run out yet! I have a few to post before I leave for the Somme next week.
Almost certainly the 1st or 2nd Pals pictured outside one of there huts from what I can tell. Unfortunately no name on the back of this one
Steve R
