Sheffield City Battalion

Puzzle

2010-10-29T20:41:00.003+02:00

Received this photograph from Peter Cattrell who forwarded me a picture of his Great Uncle, William Wyatt Bagshawe who served in A company of the battalion, and died at Serre in the first wave on 1st July 1916. He was good friends with Alexander Robertson the poet, and ES Curwen.

- the group is Alexander Robertson on left, Mr Bailey, WWB, then ES Curwen on the right.

Do you think this is taken at Redmires?

Happy Christmas

2009-12-18T19:31:00.004+01:00

For those interested in military history, I am hoping to offer the WEA at Easter a new course .....

'D Day Operation Overlord ... The Fight for Europe '.

More details to follow.

In the meantime, my very best to all people and friends who have taken the course pals or have a general interest in the Sheffield pals.

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over),"

Redmires Walk

2009-08-18T20:27:00.007+02:00

Hi everyone

Please find below a number of photos taken during the walk at Redmires Saturday 15th August 2009

Summer Walk - Redmires

2009-07-13T13:37:00.007+02:00

Helen Ullathorne who teaches archaeology and history at the university has kindly agreed to lead a walk of the Redmires area. The walk will focus on the recent archeology work on the site and matters relating to the pals and their military training in 1914/15.

The walk will take place on Saturday the 15th August at 11am and we intend to meet at the top car park up at Redmires. The car park is situated on the right hand side and is the furthest point you can travel by car on that road.

The walk is open to all and hopefully the weather will be far kinder than it was in December - fingers crossed!

A stout pair of walking boots is advisable and waterproof - just in case

A number of people have indicated they would be interested in a pint and a bar meal after the walk - The Sportsman have a good variety of ales and bar meals.

Hope to see you there on the 15th

Sheffield City Battalion Display

2009-07-04T18:39:00.004+02:00

Click on the picture to view full size

Great team effort

2009-07-01T18:55:00.003+02:00

Many thanks to Christine, Dave, Margaret and Norman for their ideas and hard work putting together the display in the central library today - well done!. Thanks to Phil for coming along and supporting our efforts today. I think that everyone was pleased with the final display and we certainly had some constructive feedback from members of the Sheffield public as we constructed the display.

This has been a great team effort and we should not forget the contribution of Mark, Yvonne, Mark, David, Mark, Hank, John and many others who have contributed to the display.

The display is a small tribute to the pals who went into combat on the Somme on this day in 1916.

The display will run until the 16th July - I would be grateful if people could upload a few photo's of the display for the blog.

More to follow next week with news of the summer walk.....

Display - Wednesday 1st July

2009-06-29T17:15:00.005+02:00

Can I invite people to the construction of the pals display at Sheffield Central Library on Wednesday 1st July. Could we meet at 9.30 am outside the main entrance on the Weds morning. If you require more details, you can contact me on: 07530331720 or by e mailing ianrobo@gmail.com

Thanks to all the people who took part in sorting the materials at the Attercliffe Learning Centre last week - you did a great job!!

Even if cannot make the Weds to put together materials - pop along if you are in the area and say hi. Appreciate that people have work commitments and therefore I will endeavour to organise a photo session at a later date.

Hope to see you Weds morning

Final Prep Meeting

2009-06-02T17:44:00.006+02:00

Can I invite you to a meeting to finalise the design for the Sheffield City Battalion display.

The final meeting before we put together the display has been arranged for Thursday 25th June at the WEA Attercliffe Learning Centre at 7.15pm. The Learning Centre is the old Vicarage at Attercliffe at the back of the Adelphi Theatre.

Please bring with you all the materials you have collected

I noticed today that The Cocked Hat is back open and perhaps people might want to have a drink afterwards.

Hope to see you on the Thursday evening

Community Display

2009-05-18T21:23:00.008+02:00

Many thanks to all the people who met at the Red Deer last Tuesday.

Well done to all of you for collecting materials from far and wide. Thanks to Christine and Margaret for all the photo's and clippings - you have a treasure trove of materials and these will certainly serve as the 'bedrock' of the display. Thanks to you both for the poster - much appreciated.

Thanks to Mark for the role of honour details and part of the database he has worked so hard to collate.

Norman brought some terrific photographs in - part of the Casey family archive and these should generate some interest on the display. Thanks to Yvonne for some great photographs taken and to Dave for the pics - plus the well written article for the display...well done.

Thanks to Mark for attending and bringing the photographs of the family heirlooms - great pics and a great 'back story' to boot.

We agreed to meet up once again to collate and sort the materials for the display. I am currently trying to book a room for June - 21st or 23rd. I will let you know as soon as something is finalised. By next week, hope to give you a progress report on the artwork that is in progress for the display and some of the final arrangements for the library on the 1st of July. If you have any questions or points or suggestions - please e mail at ianrobo@gmail.com

Raymond

It was with great sadness that we learned that Raymond passed away recently. Raymond brought great knowledge, enthusiasm and a great deal of humour to the first pals course and he will be missed by many of his friends who have also attended the course. We would like to send our very best wishes to Raymond's wife Lynda.

Pals Display Project 2009

2009-04-03T22:47:00.009+02:00

Many thanks to (left to right) Yvonne, Dave, Margaret, Mark, Christine, Hank, John, Norman, and Ron for giving their time on Thursday evening and put forward their ideas and offered their expertise to the project with such enthusiasm. I was really knocked out by all who attended and some of the terrific ideas that were generated.

A number of people volunteered to track down certain materials and visit certain locations. I will post these on the blog but first, I will forward an e mail to summarise the evenings ideas and you can comment on these personally/ add corrections etc.. before I post them on the blog.

We agreed to meet up once again to collate some of our materials - just a reminder that we set the meet for : Tuesday 12th May 7.30pm in the Red Deer.

We may have even more numbers next time, as a number of people sent their apologies for the evening but have promised to make the next meet - that would be great.

Start collecting those materials!!

Lastly, can I take the opportunity to congratulate Ian Duffy, who undertook the pals course in the Autumn - his Pipe Band have been invited by the Chinese Embassy to take part in the Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Sheffield's sister city, Chengdu this summer. Hope to see Ian at the next meet.

Well done to Ian and the band!!

Meeting - 'The Red Deer'

2009-03-30T00:44:00.009+02:00

There will be an informal meeting over a pint to discuss the library pals display set for July. We have arranged to meet this coming Thursday the 2nd of April at 7.30pm.

The Red Deer pub is situated on Pitt Street, Sheffield 3 - just off Mappin Street and West Street in the city centre.

To help with directions - try the new street level maps launched in the UK last week by Google.

Just click on the link below and type, Mappin street into the search box and navigate around the street level maps

http://maps.google.co.uk/

Long Walk Home

2009-03-27T11:41:00.006+01:00

In the last session at Attercliffe we examined the events of the 1st July 1916. We traced the battle along the 12 mile front and focussed on the Sheffield City Battalion in the most northerly sector, as they strove forward to their objective for that day - to capture Serre and provide a defensive screen for the southern sector advances. We detailed, how the original plan began to disintegrate on the battlefield and discussed the often tragic reasons for the failure/successes along the line.

The casualty rate, (originally calculated at 10%) for the Sheffield City Battalion on the 1st July 1916 was a staggering 66% and we examined why the Sheffield and Accrington pals in particular suffered these great losses.

The aftermath of the battle only added to the chaos. Many men were trapped out in No Mans Land - it took many Sheffield pals two days to make their way back to the British line. Two days after the first battle, 50% of the battalion were still officially classified as 'missing in action'.

The scene at the casualty clearing stations was equally chaotic. The medical corp tried their best to tend to the wounded but they were clearly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the casualties. Many men waited to be transferred by train to field hospitals and such was the scale and anger of their lack of medical assistance - Royal Military Police were forced to draw their weapons on the wounded to restore order to the chaos.

The original plan for the battle, to serve as a springboard for pushing back the German line failed.

We discussed the reasons for this failure and examined how the men of the Sheffield City Battalion themselves accounted for their great losses. But it must never be forgot that all the pals did not waver in the battle - they fought with great heroism and carried out their orders to the letter.

As news of the battle slowly emerged back home - there was great shock in Sheffield and all the communities that had raised battalions and companies. The formation of the pals as fighting units from often, very tight knit communities only served to intensify the loss in these communities.

The Sheffield City Battalion was supplemented by reserves from all parts of the country and went on to serve once more with great distinction in the First World War - most notably at Vimy Ridge alongside the Canadians.

The Battalion was officially disbanded after the war in a ceremony at Sheffield Cathedral where the Battalion's colours were passed on - they can still be seen in the transept of the Cathedral.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;

They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,

Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain

Zero Hour

2009-03-24T20:09:00.003+01:00

The plan is now in place, the artillery are pounding the German line and the Sheffield City Battalion move up to the front line copses and take their place in the trenches awaiting zero hour.

The next session details the events of the 1st July 1916.

The next session will be our last at Attercliffe.

There will be the meeting at the Red Deer next Thursday evening at 7.30pm (2nd April) to discuss the pals display at Sheffield Central Library, that will serve as a meeting; plus, we have the guided walk of Redmires by Helen Ullathorne (University of Sheffield Archaeology Department) later in July. I will forward you the details of the guided walk when the arrangements are in hand.

Furthermore, I would be most grateful if people could complete the course evaluation sheets that I will distribute in the session - thanks in advance for this.

I am very much looking forward to the last session - although I have promised Ken that we will be out of the building a bit earlier this week!

Gwen and Phil will miss the last session due to family and holiday committments - I will post out materials to you at Easter. Have a great time on your journey

Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and support on the course. People have brought to the sessions incredible knowledge and insight - well done to all!!

Countdown to Zero Hour

2009-03-15T21:46:00.008+01:00

In the next session we will examine the final countdown to the battle and analyse the advantages/weaknesses of the battle strategy.

The Sheffield Battalion by April 1916 were having periodic duties at the front line but the vast majority of the companies were billeted away and rehearsing their assault of the German front line.

We will examine the battalions place in the grand plan and look at the pals soldier as they prepared for the big push.

We will also examine the crucial role played by the artillery in the lead up to the main infantry assault.

Can I take the opportunity to recommend a couple of 'popular' history accounts of the Somme.

Middlebrook's book is widely available and I cannot think of a better title as a starting point to introduce the main issues surrounding the battle. The book also features the pals and the role of the Shefield City Battalion.

Can I also recommend:

Meeting - Thursday 2nd April

2009-03-06T13:13:00.003+01:00

There will be a meeting in the Red Deer pub (just off West Street) at 7.30pm on Thursday (not Tuesday!) 2nd April to discuss the forthcoming pals display at the Central Library in July. I will forward people more details by e mail shortly.

Hope to see you there

PT Harold Roddis

2009-03-05T21:41:00.002+01:00

Link to the site is at:

http://www.angelfire.com/az/garethknight/redcross/horton.html

The Race to Relieve Verdun

2009-03-05T13:39:00.003+01:00

Battle of Verdun

In December 1915 Chief of Staff of the German army, Erich von Falkenhayn, decided to attack Verdun, a French garrison town. A million German troops attacked 200,000 French soldiers at Verdun on February 21, 1916. By February 24, the French had already retreated to their third line. Henri-Philippie Petain was appointed commander of the Verdun sector, and he gave orders to stop withdrawing. Every spare French soldier was sent to defend Verdun. The Germans were stopped near the end of February, and on March 6, they attacked Verdun again. They were stopped near Mort Homme Hill. Until May 28, the French held Homme Hill; then the Germans secured it. The Germans continued to attack Verdun throughout early autumn. The German attacks were becoming weaker due to the need to transfer troops to defend their front-line. The French used this opportunity to counterattack, and retake the Douaumont and Vaux forts. Verdun was the longest battle of World War I, and ended on December 18. The French army had 550,000 casualties, and the Germans had 434,000 casualties. About half of all casualties were deaths.

There was an urgent need to relieve the French at Verdun, therefore a second front had to be opened up in France.

In the next session we will examine the plans for the Somme offensive

Can I recommend a DVD drama based on the The First World War, 'My Boy Jack'.

Trip to France 2010

2009-03-04T18:44:00.005+01:00

A number of people in the last 6 months have asked me about the possibilty of organising a visit to the battlefields in France. In the next two weeks I am going to forward letters to everyone who has or is taking part in the pals course to see if there is enough interest in pursuing this idea.

Furthermore, I will approach the WEA and Sheffield City Council to ascertain, if any funding exists to help with the costs of such a visit.

If a visit was to take place it would ideally be a long weekend (Friday to Monday) as this will keep the costs down and could be slotted into people's busy schedules. Perhaps a target date for the visit would be July 2010. I think the chances of a July 1st visit have already gone. I know that many places are booked two years in advance for July 1st visits.

Perhaps the second weekend in July? I am guessing at numbers here but with the inclusion of partners or friends - around the 20 mark?

The visit could be with a tour company with an itinerary prescribed by ourselves or we could organise the whole thing.

One idea would be to:

Friday - morning, travel by coach to Leeds Bradford, go over by the new air route with Jet2.com to Albert and then transfer to accomodation. Hire a coach and driver over in France for the weekend.

- settle in accommodation and then leisurely evening in Albert and a meal (plus wine!).

Saturday - Sheffield Memorial Park, Serre, Thiepval.... etc and then a meal in Albert in the evening.

Sunday a trip up to Ypres for the Cloth Hall and then finish with the 'Last Post' at M. Gate. Meal in Ypres - some fine cafes in the main square! (plus wine again!)

Monday - Delville Wood in the morning and lunch later in Albert and then transfer for the flight home.

There would be time for you and your partner/friends to ramble round by yourselves but also have group activities - a combo.

I would welcome any ideas or thoughts about the idea. I can be contacted at:

ianrobo@gmail.com

Session

2009-03-02T16:00:00.011+01:00

Thanks to everyone who are bringing in primary and secondary materials to the sessions.

This week we had a variety of evidence - photographs, shell cases, documents, newspaper articles and original plans brought to the sessions - much appreciated and this enriches all of us on the course.

Well done to everyone on the task set in the session - all of the displays were terrific. You negotiated all the information and synthesised this perfectly on to your designs.

Rugeley - Port Said - Marseilles

2009-03-01T20:52:00.005+01:00

Accompanied by marching bands the pals set off from their Redmires base for further training at Rugeley and Salisbury Plain. Here for the first time they are able to train along side the battalions of 94th Brigade who were to take part in the 'Big Push'.

At Rugeley they were to trade the wooden huts of Redmires to the wooden huts of Cannock Chase.

For those who would like more details about Rugeley Camp during World War 1 take a look at the following link:

http://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/site/HeritageTrail/great_war.html

After training. the battalion are mobilised to Egypt.

Aboard SS Nestor they make their way through Gibraltar, enjoy leave in Valletta, Malta and then push on to Alexandria and upwards to Port Said.

In March 1916, the battalion are stood down in Egypt but mobilised immediately for action. The battalion are to be deployed to the Western theatre of operations.

The pals embark aboard ship bound for France and arrive in the French southern port of Marseilles - like countless thousands of British, French and Commonwealth troops they are heading toward the North West sector of France, the area we now know as, The Somme.

Frederick William Turner

2009-02-17T15:09:00.003+01:00

Thanks to David who brought in a number of items related to his relative, Frederick William Turner (8-2754 Midd. Regt).

Among the great objects were Frederick's medals and the bronze medallion that was given by the Government to all families who had suffered the loss of a loved one during the conflict.

Half Term

2009-02-16T20:21:00.004+01:00

Just a reminder that we break for half term this week and the next session will be held on Thursday 26th Feb.

If anyone would like primary materials posted on the blog - please bring these with you to the next session. We can scan or photograph documents/pics to place on the blogsite.

The New Frontier

2009-02-13T17:47:00.009+01:00

Thursday evening we examined the training of the Battalion via the journal kept by young Casey. This journal can be found online at:

http://www.pals.org.uk/sheffield/casey_diary01.htm

As the pals training continued up at Redmires, across the Channel the French were engaged in hard fought exchanges with the German army on the Somme.

For the first time, we examined the battlefield that ultimately the pals would have to fight on in 1916.

All the French attacks in the Somme region failed their objective - they were unable to dislodge the Germans. In the area around Serre the French suffered over 4000 casualties with only meagre gains of territory and the German front line was solidly held.

Next week we will examine the pals undergoing final training in the UK, before their departure to Egypt and then on to the Western Front.

Points to mention

Thanks to John for bringing in all the artifacts of WW1. John has collected these on his travels around the Somme region. Fascinating to see the bullets, buckles, shells and assorted material.

Many thanks also to David who brought in family heirlooms with regard to the First World War.

I have taken a few photographs of the materials and will post these on the blog in the following week.

I have received very favourable feedback regarding the display. Over 10 people have agreed to volunteer their time for the construction of a display to mark the Battalions attack on the Somme, 1st July 1916.

We intend to hold a short meeting in the city centre next month to discuss plans for the display.

Community Display - Pals - 1st July 2009

2009-02-06T19:46:00.003+01:00

Would you be interested in constructing a display to commemorate the Pals attack on The Somme on July 1st 1916?

Sheffield Central Library have agreed for us to construct a large display, 8' by 3' on the main staircase of the Central Library from the 1st July to the 19th July to commemorate the Sheffield City Battalion.

At this stage, I am seeking people to indicate that they would be willing to take part in the project.

What would this project involve? - A meeting to discuss possible designs for the display. Collating related materials and then constructing the display in the library.

Please e mail ianrobo@gmail.com if you feel that you could take part in the project in some way.

Cancellation of Session

2009-02-04T10:59:00.002+01:00

With the current weather forecast predicting more snow for Weds and Thurs it would seem best that we cancel the session for this week. I realise that a number of people are travelling long distances to attend the course and it would be dangerous to drive in the evening as roads freeze up.

If you read this please inform friends of yours who are travelling to the course

Weather

2009-02-03T12:04:00.002+01:00

I will look at the forecast for this week and post on the blog - if it is feasible to run a session this week in light of all the snow. People will be travelling after 6pm and we will take counsel from the met office.

2009-01-30T12:55:00.002+01:00

The infamous attack on 1 July 1916 made that date the worst day in British military history. I have to say there are some rivals such as the fall of Singapore but I can't think of anything else that comes close.
It's worth looking at the mindset of the commanders and their staffs who share responsibility.
For starters, here are some of the commanders of the City Battalion's formations:

Brig Gen HCB Rees was the brigade GOC. there is a brief biography on another site. He was captured by the Germans during their offensive in April 1918 and there are several photos of him being personally interviewed by the Kaiser himself.

Maj Gen Wanless O'Gowan was the GOC 31 Division. I have been unable to find out virtually anything about this general. In contrast to his superior!

Lieut General Aylmer Hunter Weston was the GOC VIII Corps. aka Hunter Bunter, he was the subject of more absurd stories than any other person in the Army. Hunter Bunter had commanded the 29th Division at Gallipolli, where he was known for his advocacy for the frontal assault in daylight in true Blackadder style.
Later on in the Somme Battle, which he was supposedly fighting, he stood as a Parliamentary candidate in a by election and won handsomely against an anti-war candidate.

Call to Arms

2009-01-23T12:20:00.004+01:00

With the declaration of war on August 4th, there was a mass recruitment drive for the armed forces.

The initial exchanges of the war reinforced the High Commands view that this war would at best last four years.

The early exchanges can be viewed on this simple but highly effective interactive map:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/animations/western_front/index.shtml

The Pals battalions of World War I were specially constituted units of the British Army comprising men who had enlisted together in local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and work colleagues ("pals"), rather than being allocated to regular Army regiments.
At the outbreak of World War I Lord Kitchener (Secretary of State for War) believed that overwhelming manpower was the key to winning the war and he set about looking for ways to encourage men of all classes to enlist. General Sir Henry Rawlinson suggested that men would be more inclined to enlist in the Army if they knew that they were going to serve alongside their friends and work colleagues. He appealed to London stockbrokers to raise a battalion of men from workers in the City of London to set an example. 1600 men enlisted in the 10th (Service) Bn Royal Fusiliers, the so-called "Stockbrokers' Battalion", within a week in late August 1914.
A few days later, Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby decided to organise the formation of a battalion of men from Liverpool. Within two days, 1500 Liverpudlians had joined the new battalion. Speaking to these men Lord Derby said: "This should be a battalion of pals, a battalion in which friends from the same office will fight shoulder to shoulder for the honour of Britain and the credit of Liverpool." Within the next few days three more battalions were raised in Liverpool.
Encouraged by Lord Derby's success, Kitchener promoted the idea of organising similar recruitment campaigns throughout the entire country. By the end of September 1914, over fifty towns had formed Pals battalions, whilst the larger towns and cities were able to form several battalions.
The 'Grimsby Chums' was formed by former schoolboys of Wintringham Secondary School in Grimsby. Many other schools, including some of the leading public schools, also formed battalions. Several sportsmen's battalions were formed, including three battalions of footballers (17th and 23rd (Service) Bn Middlesex Regiment) and 16th (2nd Edinburgh) (Service) Bn Lothian Regiment Royal Scots, the last-mentioned battalion containing the entire first and reserve team players, several boardroom and staff members and sizeable contingent of supporters of Scottish professional club Heart of Midlothian F.C.[1] Out of nearly 1000 battalions raised during the first two years of the war, over two thirds were locally-raised Pals battalions.

The initial formation of the Sheffield City Battalion centred upon the University. The local City Council was empowered by Governement to form a battalion and therefore the shift of emphasis lay with the City rather than the University.

In next weeks session we will investigate initial training of the emerging battalion.

2009-01-19T11:54:00.002+01:00

I've joined the course because I am researching the life of my relative, Jack Harrison.
Jack was my grandmothers cousin. He joined the Sheffield City Battalion in January 1915 aged 16, when it was in training at Redmires. Tragically, he was killed in the infamous attack on 1 July 1916. Jack's body has never been found and he was recorded as missing after the attack, although the family heard " through the grapevine" that he had been last seen in a German trench surrounded by dead Germans. Because he was recorded as missing, the family were not informed that he was officially dead until a year later.
Although the attack at the start of the Somme battle was an ill planned tragedy, I think that every man who went over the top that day displayed the utmost courage, and, as they would put it, gallantry.

Welcome

2009-01-15T23:20:00.003+01:00

Thanks for attending the course this evening.

If you have not logged on yet as an author for the blog, have a go with your computer. If the system still does not allow you to be an author, please let me know by e mail.

If you are able to post and have a bit of free time this coming week - post something about yourself on the blog or say why you are interested in the pals story.

I am hoping for more numbers next week - a few people have agreed to sign up and will attend next week - so we may have the numbers which is great news.

A reminder that a fieldwork walk is planned for the summer of Redmires Training camp - this will be led by the Sheffield University Archaeology Department and there will be an opportunity to contribute toward a community display about the pals at Sheffield Central library in July of this year to mark the Battalions attack on the Somme.

Next week we will begin the story proper and get back to more traditional approaches. We will examine Sheffield at the turn of the 20th century, look at the early exchanges of World War One and account for the formation of the pals battalions.

It's a great story to tell - hope you continue on the pals journey with us

2009-01-02T18:48:00.003+01:00

Many thanks to everyone for their posts in 2008.

The blog has so far received over 600 hits and over 1,500 page views since it started in September 2008.

If you have recently completed the pals course - please keep posting. If you find some new info or a picture - visit the battlefields or have researched some materials or are hoping to get something published - post away!

All the very best to you for 2009.

Redmires Walk Photos 13th December 2008

2008-12-30T21:14:00.015+01:00

Here are some of the photographs that I took on our walk on 13th December. Unfortunately, it was so wet that not many of them turned out that well!

Setting off...

Some of the earth works.

Two of the group trace the ditches.

The group surveys the un-backfilled trench.

One of the traverses can be seen in the foreground as the group move on.

Thoroughly wet...

On Brown Edge, overlooking the Redmires Reservoirs.

A piece of rail and some corrugated iron: date unknown.

New Pals Course - New Year

2008-12-16T18:12:00.002+01:00

'The Sheffield Pals and the First Battle of the Somme' - a ten week WEA course that examines the formation of the Sheffield City Battalion, 12th Yorks and Lancs. Through an exploration of primary and secondary sources we trace Sheffield City from their initial training at Redmires to their action on the Somme in July 1916.

Course begins on Thursday 15th January 7 - 9pm at the WEA Learning Centre, 3 Vicarage Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield. S9 3RH. Telephone 0114 242 3609 for further details.

Pals Displays

2008-12-14T16:14:00.004+01:00

I have placed in the right hand side bar a number of your displays from the last session of the pals course. Please scroll down the blog to view your work.

He's Back.....

2008-12-13T19:57:00.003+01:00

'Charlie Peace: Criminal Fall, Cultural Rise' -

The WEA course is a ten week investigation into one of the most notorious criminals of the nineteenth century. Using primary and secondary evidence we examine Peace within the context of nineteenth century Sheffield and against a backdrop of Victorian crime and penal reform.

The second part of the course examines media coverage of Peace through the mediums of film, newspapers, comics, penny dreadful's, museum commemoration and music hall.

Course begins on Weds the 21st January, 7 - 9pm at The Circle , 33 Rockingham Lane , Sheffield, S1 4FW. Telephone:0114 242 3609 for more details.

A course blog can be found at: http://charliepeace.blogspot.com/

Who'll Stop The Rain?

2008-12-13T19:29:00.008+01:00

Well, I hope by now you have had time to dry out!

I have a put a few pics in the right hand side bar - please scroll down to view

What a great turn out but it seems we were beaten by the elements today. Thanks to Helen for leading the walk and thanks for everyone 'sticking with it' - it was increasingly uncomfortable out there but we gained some sense of the archaeology and some sense of the toughness required by the pals up there on the moors.

Please check with the blog over Xmas - we have a number of items to post. Photographs from today plus the pics of the displays you made in the final session. The pals course mark 2, will run after the Xmas break and Helen has kindly agreed to run a further walk to Redmires, perhaps in a more temperate climate - I will post dates and times next year and you are more than welcome to attend - lets hope we have a problem with sunscreen rather than frostbite next year!

Perhaps we should finish with a song? Click on the link!

Singing in the Rain

Forecast

2008-12-12T18:25:00.003+01:00

The weather map for the UK on Saturday above - somewhere under all that rain is Sheffield and Redmires! Max temp is 7c and minimum is 3c. You may need a certain degree of hardiness and a pair of these:

Handout for Redmires Walk

2008-12-11T09:02:00.005+01:00

Ian recently emailed a handout for Saturday's walk at Redmires. If you didn't get a copy,
click here
to go to a page with either the Word version or a smaller PDF if you prefer this type of document.

'Comrades'

2008-12-10T20:32:00.005+01:00

'Redmires Camp on Roper's Hill

Broad expanse of grass for drill

Whip of rain and sweep of wind

Whirls of snow that sting and blind

Nor for the ease of programme set

Parry, point with bayonet

Firing, outposts, many a tramp

Day or night from Redmires Camp

Yet long evening hours we spent

Full of varied merriment

In our huts or when to town

Crowded taxis hastened down'

Can anyone name the poet?

Redmires Report

2008-12-08T17:21:00.003+01:00

I have sent out by e mail the Redmires Report that featured in a previous session, ahead of the walk on Saturday. I have attached the report as a Word document. If you have difficulties opening the document or have not received this today - please let me know.

Just a reminder that my e mail address is:

ianrobo@gmail.com

Put your best foot forward

2008-12-04T17:47:00.004+01:00

Just to set down the details for the walk.

The walk will take place on Saturday the 13th of December and we are to meet Helen Ullathorne from Sheffield Uni at 11pm at the 'top car park'. The walk should last just over two hours. Please ensure a stout pair of walking boots or shoes, warm clothing ("it's parky up there!) and perhaps take a warm drink with you. Afterwards we will retire to the Sportsman pub for a drink and a meal or sandwiches if you prefer.

Would be grateful if anyone could post something about the weather forecast next week.

Well done to all for the display task for the final session. I will digi these and place these on the blog over the Xmas break. The standard of the displays was excellent. I noticed on the feedback forms that a number of people were looking at art or photography courses for the next semester and I can see why.

People will have a further opportunity to try out their digital photographic skills on the walk. We will have 10 cameras on loan and you can snap away during the tour.

Please ensure that the first pic you take is one of yourself - then this will be easier for me to match picture to photographer.

I still have a number of articles and photostats on loan and will return these at the walk - can I thank people for their loan of these materials and they have been photocopied and will be used for further presentations.

To understand the causes of things

2008-12-01T19:06:00.006+01:00

This is my last post before the final session for the WEA course, ' The Sheffield Pals and The First Battle of The Somme.' The picture and title above - this is how we started the blog and the course all those weeks back in September. It seems such a long time ago since we first embarked on the pals story. Underneath is part of the original first post and the aims of the blog, way back in September - do you think we have achieved those stated aims?

'Over the next 10 weeks we hope to add links, pictures and contributions from the people on our course. Later in the week I will add your names to the admissions dashboard and you will be able to post directly on the blog. If you need further guidance on how to post, please let me know.'

As stated previously, this course can only offer a 'snapshot' into the Sheffield City Battalion's history - I hope that you will carry forward your interest and research further. The last session will briefly examine the aftermath of the first battle, the disbandment of the battalion and look at how Sheffield honoured the pals sacrifice within the city and in France.

Finally, I hope that the knowledge we have acquired and our understanding of the pals story will be passed forward; particularly, that we are able to relate the story on to the next generation - the story is important and by recounting and researching the story, we honour the survivors, the relatives who lost their kin and honour the men who didn't make it back home.

See you Wednesday evening

DADS ARMY

2008-11-30T16:21:00.001+01:00

Just a little note about my army picture,if you want to enlarge it just click on the photo.Raymond.

DadsArmy

2008-11-30T16:08:00.005+01:00

This is a picture of when I was in the Army doing my National Service.It shows S Company we were stationed at Dover Castle after returning from Egypt.You can see 2 MMGs and 2 LMGs commonly known as Bren Guns.I am on the back row 5 from the right. Raymond.

Haig

2008-11-27T13:17:00.003+01:00

Douglas Haig and the First World War

J.P. Harris

ISBN: 9780521898027

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

A new publication on Haig was published this month and is already being regarded as one of the most important works written on the controversial figure. From December 1915 until the armistice of November 1918, Sir Douglas Haig was commander-in-chief of the largest army his country had ever put into the field. He has been portrayed as both an incompetent 'butcher and bungler' and a clear-sighted, imperturbable 'architect of victory'. However, in this magisterial new account, J. P. Harris dispels such stereotypes. A dedicated military professional, Haig nevertheless found it difficult to adjust to the unprecedented conditions of the Western Front. His capacity to 'read' battles and broader strategic situations often proved poor and he bears much responsibility for British losses in 1915-17 that were excessive in relation to the results achieved. By late 1917 his own faith in ultimate victory had become so badly shaken that he advocated a compromise peace. However, after surviving the German spring offensives of 1918, he played a vital role in the campaign that finally broke the German army.

Session 9

2008-11-26T23:08:00.012+01:00

Thanks to everyone for session 9.

The readings at the beginning of the session were strong and I was struck by how well people read - it reflected great understanding and a passion for the battalion.

Well done to everyone!!

Thanks to Raymond about the info for direct flights from Leeds Bradford to Albert. If you were visiting the Somme battlefields this would be an ideal route and potentially, quicker and less expensive. The flights begin in April of 2009. You can find flight timetables at the link below

http://www.jet2.com/Timetable.aspx?lang=EN

Can I remind people that if they have taken on loan materials - please ensure return for session 10. This is as much a reminder for myself than others....ahem!

Next session we will firm up the arrangements for the Redmires walk. I know that people have kindly arranged some lifts for people and I know of a few people who are seeking lifts up to Lodge Moor - we can organise this at session 10. We will need a final figure for people attending the walk and some indication if you want a drink or a meal afterwards.

In session 10 you will have an opportunity to make your comments about the course to me and to the WEA. I have also provided a small feedback facility in the sidebar of this blog. I too, have to compile a tutors report regarding the course and I will be interested in people's ideas on how to improve the course for future learners.

The coming week may give you an opportunity to reflect on the pals story and also an opportunity to reflect on your own learning. Is there something from the course that has given you a new goal? Perhaps you would like to research the pals story further, write about it, publish something, plan a visit, plan a follow up course? Has the course interested you in improving existing skills or do you want to learn a new skill? Perhaps you want to plan a vacation in France or visit a museum or place in Britain?

I know that you can achieve the goal or targets you set for yourself - go for it!!

Z Day - Zero Hour Approaches

2008-11-24T21:05:00.002+01:00

The Somme Norfolk Cemetery

2008-11-23T18:58:00.004+01:00

Here are some pictures that we took on my second visit to France, it is of the Norfolk Cemetery. A beautiful little spot. This Cemetery had in it marked and unmarked graves of the 10th Battalion of the KOYLI's which was my grandfather's Battalion,so there was a possibility that the remains of my grandfather could have been in one of the unmarked graves.I took some names of men in the marked graves and found out that these men were in the 10th Battalion possibly friends of my grandfather,they came from Barnsley,Sheffield and the surrounding districts.Raymond.

Preparing for Battle

2008-11-19T14:43:00.002+01:00

From Marseilles the pals travel by train up toward the western front. Thousands of British and French troops are making the same journey. The pals arrive in the Somme region and are billeted away from the front line.

In the next session we examine the final countdown to the battle...The 'Big Push' is on.

A Soldiers’ Cemetery

2008-11-15T21:57:00.005+01:00

The now peaceful Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, near Serre. Here lie 29 City Battalion soldiers who were killed in action or died of wounds from 4 April to 27 May 1916.

Is this the place described by battalion soldier poet, Sgt. 12/525 John William Streets in A Soldiers’ Cemetery?

A Soldiers’ Cemetery

Behind that long and lonely trenchèd line
To which men come and go, where brave men die,
There is a yet unmarked and unknown shrine,
A broken plot, a soldiers’ cemet’ry.

There lie the flower of youth, the men who scorned
To live (so died) when languished liberty:
Across their graves, flowerless and unadorned,
Still scream the shells of each artillery.

When war shall cease this lonely, unknown spot
Of many a pilgrimage will be the end,
And flowers will bloom in this now barren plot
And fame upon it through the years descend-
But many a heart upon each simple cross
Will hang the grief, the memory of its loss.

Sgt. Streets was killed during the attack at Serre on 1 July 1916. Although the exact position of his grave is unknown, he is believed to be buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps.

The additional inscription reads:

I FELL: BUT YIELDED NOT

MY ENGLISH SOUL

THAT LIVES OUT HERE

BENEATH THE BATTLE'S ROLL

Course Feedback

2008-11-14T17:54:00.005+01:00

We have three sessions to run on the course and I am beginning to review materials, learning activities and would welcome your thoughts. This is the first time this course has run and any suggestions on how to improve the learning experience will be gratefully received. You can feedback by the WEA form that I will distribute in the last session, e mail or alternatively

I have placed a poll of four questions and button responses in the sidebar underneath 'The Somme' video bar. Directly below and on the right hand side

The poll will run until 21st December.

Thanks

Classes

2008-11-13T19:40:00.002+01:00

Hello My name is Raymond and I have been going to Ian's classes,I am enjoying them very much.My wife and I went to France to visit where my grandfather was killed on the Somme,I have lots of photographs so we will find some of them out at the weekend and post them in this blog.

The Big Push

2008-11-13T12:52:00.006+01:00

Well done on the exercise for session 7 - you made it seem easy.

As we saw, the plan was large scale and meticulous in detail. A massive artillery campaign would be proceeded with a massive infantry assault involving 120, 000 soldiers.

Although there were troops immediately above the Sheffield Pals, the battalion constituted the most northerly advance. It was the pivot for the attack along the British/French line and it's aim was to provide a screen of defence for the southern advances and gains.

Thanks once again for the books that people so kindly brought to the session.

Thanks to Dave for the great Somme books - keep going with the writing and perhaps you would like to post an extract on the blog?

Thanks to Margaret for the souvenirs and books - great stuff!!

Thanks to Howard for the video - which has now gone on to DVD

Thanks also goes to Lynda - Raymond's wife who sent an edited Powerpoint presentation of their recent visit to the battlefields

RH Tawney - The Attack

2008-11-12T01:55:00.006+01:00

It was brought to my attention by Graham Marsh and Jol Miskin of the WEA that RH Tawney took part in the Battle of The Somme. One of Tawney's experiences at the Somme were written in a short article entitled

'The Attack', this can be found online at:

http://leoklein.com/itp/somme/texts/tawney_1916.html

Tawney's links with the WEA are briefly summarised in the following article

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/tawney.htm

Walter's War - i Player

2008-11-12T01:15:00.004+01:00

Walter Tull who, after years in an orphanage, went on to become a professional footballer and then the first black commissioned officer to lead British troops during WW1 is the subject of a new BBC dramatisation of his life, available on the BBC's i Player.

download at BBC iPlayer

Also available are the programmes in the excellent series, 'Family at War'.

Check out the i player - you can watch online or save the programme to your computer or DVD

Blog tutorial

2008-11-10T10:57:00.000+01:00

Killed in Action Tour

2008-11-10T01:53:00.003+01:00

I went along to the General Cemetery “Killed in Action” tour last Sunday, really interesting. I took some photos - they are really easy to add (thanks Ian!). We visited a number of graves and memorials of war dead.

The first was a memorial to Privates Harold and Rowland Norris. Harold was posted missing in France on 1st July 1916, aged 26. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website (http://www.cwgc.org/) tells us he was a member of the Yorks and Lancs, and he was in the 12th Battalion. He was the son of Mr. James Norris, of 11, Ward Place, Highfields, Sheffield. His brother was also reported missing in Salonika, on 18th September 1918, aged 21. He was in the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. The CWGC site records his death as the 19th September.

We broke for a two minute silence at 11 o’clock at a memorial to Harold Brooke Forsdike, of the 2nd Barnsley Pals Battalion. Harold was killed on 1st July 1916. CWGC says he was the son of W. D. Forsdike, of Parkfield House, Sheffield. You can see the poppy attached - someone does this each year but the Friends do not know who it is.

I also saw the memorial to 2nd Lieutenant Ernest Shuttleworth, again decorated at this time of year with a poppy. The CWGC site tells us he was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and that he was the son of T. E. and Mary Edith Shuttleworth, of 5, Park Avenue, Riverdale Rd., Sheffield.

There are about 30 WWI soldiers interred in the cemetery but none of the Somme victims are actually buried there. A few are listed as being from the Yorks and Lancs regiment. I spoke to a couple of the Friends of the General Cemetery staff, and they helped me find two more from the 12th. Their memorials were unfortunately amongst those removed in the “clearances” that took place in the mid 70s. However, before their removal they were catalogued and I looked at records for memorials to Frank Johnson and Noel Wilcock.

Noel was killed on 1st July 1916, and is shown in the Cemetery records as having lived at 5 Priory Road, Sharrow. He was 22, and the memorial shows he was a Lance Corporal, and the youngest son of John Thomas and May Anne Wilcock. May herself is shown as having passed away on 3rd July 1933 aged 80.

Frank Johnson was killed on 27th June 1917, and the Cemetery records show he lived at 83 Riverdale Road, Sheffield. The tragic memorial lists his elder brother dying on 31st December 1913, Frank being listed next, and his mother Charlotte May as passing away on February 17th 1921. His father George isn’t listed on the memorial but presumably survived them all.

The Friends of the General Cemetery have a booklet “Into the Valley of Death” which details the more interesting graves and memorials to the war dead. Their website is at www.gencem.org

The Plan

2008-11-09T15:25:00.009+01:00

Everyone knew a huge attack was coming. For Kitchener's battalions of Pals it was why they had joined up - what they had been training for for two years. What few people knew was exactly where and when the offensive would take place.

The average British soldier in June, 1916 knew that a large scale offensive had been planned for some time - that there was a real need to break the stalemate of the last two years. They also would have known that all their training had been to prepare them for such an effort. Many, too, will have been aware through rumour of the precarious position of their allies, the French Army, which had been forced to fight a vicious and immensely costly battle for the symbolic fortress city of Verdun which was causing an almost intolerable strain on their resources, not least in manpower. Indeed, the declared main aim of the German attack there had been to "bleed France dry" and it was succeeding.

The Battle of the Somme, or to use it's official nomenclature of The First Battle of Albert, was to be a joint Anglo-French effort aimed at breaking the stalemate of the previous two years. In effect, it was intended to have the same impact on the First World War as D-Day had in the Second - the beginning of the end. The location was astride the River Somme where the two Allied armies met, a region that had seen over the previous two years - the Germans building considerable defensive positions consisting of well positioned trenches almost universally on higher ground and with numerous strong points, machine gun nests and deep dug-outs, impervious to the worst that the Allied artillery could throw at them. We will follow the Sheffield City Battalion as they disembark at Marseilles at head up the line toward the Somme.

Sunday

2008-11-09T13:35:00.006+01:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved,

and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep,

though poppies grow

Queens Cemetery

2008-11-08T21:20:00.003+01:00

Queens Cemetery, looking towards the German front line (about 50 yards away) and Serre. The cemetery contains mainly the bodies of Accrington pals who advanced to the right of the Sheffield pals.

Remembrance Parade Dore Village Sheffield

2008-11-06T19:59:00.002+01:00

The annual Remembrance Parade through Dore village in Sheffield, to the war memorial outside the church, will take place on Sunday 9th November at approx. 10.30am. The parade will again be supported by the local scouts and the ATC corps. The parade will again be led by The City of Sheffield Pipe band.
For anyone who may be interested, the pipe band will be performing again on Sunday at the the Winter Gardens in the city centre, from approx 1.00pm.

Set Sail

2008-11-06T11:41:00.008+01:00

The Pals set sail on the Nestor and visit Gibraltar, Valetta and Egypt on their journey.

Thanks for setting up all the digital cameras last night and we will use these

again for the Redmires Walk later in December.

Thanks to Phil for bringing in shots of SS Nestor and the shell casings - it is great to see primary sources.

Firstly, thanks to Carole for her help this evening and it was great to see how welcoming the group were to Carole and her work

Margaret brought in a couple of interesting books. The 'War Illustrated' printed in 1916 gave a great insight into how the Britsh media portrayed the First Word War. The pocket book of French language for British soldiers is a tremendous little book - fascinating

Thanks to Raymond for the powerpoint presentation disc - I will have a look at this and see if some of the material can be featured on the blog

If you are thinking of a trip out to Serre and need some accommodation - ask Peter and Raymond, they have details of an affordable bed and breakfast place to use as your base in France.

The blog is now being used by most of the group and I have to say thanks to Mark and Dave for their posts this week. A few people have said that they do not have an e mail address. I will bring in a laptop in the next few weeks and if anyone wants an e mail account we can quickly set up a google or hotmail account for them.

In March 1916 the pals arrive in Marseilles and travel to the Western Front.

Sheffield General Cemetery - Killed in Action

2008-11-05T02:10:00.004+01:00

Found this on Sheffield Forum (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=416588)

I seem to recall there are several Somme gravestones / memorials there. Hope this is of interest to you. From a visit there a few years ago I also recall being told that someone unknown visits the cemetery around Remembrance Sunday and fastens a poppy to each military gravestone.

Sheffield General Cemetery:Killed in Action - A Military Tour for Armistice Day

Sunday 9 November 10.30 am

The yearly Armistice Day tour takes place in the General Cemetery on Sunday. From the battle of Waterloo to the Sheffield Blitz the cemetery has a number of military residents as well as others killed in wartime. The 2 minutes silence will be observed. The tour is free but donations are welcome.

Meet at the Gatehouse at the top of Cemetery Avenue (off the Café Rouge corner of Ecclesall Rd) at 10.30 am.

For further information Tel. 01142 68 3486 or o1142 335 1853

Extract from the book, Lest we Forget

2008-11-04T16:40:00.005+01:00

I saw this extract in the book Lest We Forget by Max Arthur. Its by Private F.B Vaughan from the Sheffield Pals, very interesting as it reflects on the early part of our course.

Private F.B Vaughan
---------
12th Battalion, Yorks and Lancs, 1914

I said to the boss, “I want to join the Army, I want to be released from my job.” So he said to me, “Here in the steel-works you are doing just as much for the nation, as though you were in the Army.” Well I couldn’t see myself catching the 8.40 to Brightside every morning and leaving for home in the afternoon, doing little jobs in the evening, and all the time my pals were suffering – probably dying somewhere – they were serving their Country. I couldn’t see myself carrying on in that particular way, so I said “I’m awfully sorry but I have made up my mind, I must go.”
And he saw that I was determined and he said “Well then, go to the wages office and they will pay you whatever is due to you. But we shall not save your job for you when you come back and we shall not pay you anything while you are away.” I said “Alright, I accept those conditions.” My mind was made up, the die was cast, and when I finally joined the Sheffield Battalion, as 256 Private F.B. Vaughan, Sheffield Battalion Yorks and Lancasters - all at a bob a day – you know I was a very happy man.

It was not just a sudden decision that I made to join the Army. My pals were going, chaps I had kicked about with in the street, kicking tin cans or a football, and chaps I knew very well in the city. And then if you looked in the newspapers we saw that Canadians were coming, Australians were coming, South Africans were coming – they were catching the first available boat to England to get there before the war was over.
Then when you went to the pictures you’d be shown crowds of young men drilling in Hyde Park or crowding round the recruiting office, or it might be a band playing “Tipperary”. The whole thing was exciting, and even in the pulpits – although it started rather shakily at first – they eventually decided to come down on the side of the angels and blessed our little mission.

I don’t know whether patriotism entered in to it or not, possibly so. We were stirred, I know, by the atrocities, or the alleged atrocities, when the Germans invaded Belgium and France. The other great factor was that the womenfolk, fifty percent of the population, were very keen on the war. Before long they were wearing regimental badges, regimental buttons, little favours in their hats or coats and they were offering to do the jobs men had done in civil life, so that men could be released. Some of them would stop us in the street and say “Well, why aren’t you in Khaki?” In other words the whole effect was cumulative, but we were not pressed, we made our own decisions

2008-11-04T00:30:00.006+01:00

If you managed to catch 'Family at War' Monday evening; a website was advertised at the end of the first programme. The website below details all the media events marked for the 90th anniversary by the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance

Notes from the Blogosphere

2008-11-03T19:53:00.006+01:00

The Yorkshire and Humberside WEA have asked me to post a few thoughts on their regional website about the course blog we have established. Below are a few quick thoughts for their web site.

If you would like to offer your thoughts then please e mail David at: dpittaway@wea.org.uk.

Why blog?

Easy really.

No set up fee, no hosting fees, accessible to all, user friendly, no prior knowledge of HTML needed plus with the inputs of a few e mails you can create a multi author media source...perfect for a small local history course.

The blog we set up for the Sheffield Battalion course ticked so many boxes. We could use the blog as a virtual notebook. Learners are able to post photographs, text and other multi media sources that reflect their interests and their areas of expertise. It is an online journal recording our achievements and experiences on the course and a means of providing an online resource for future learners. Via the links we can direct learners to further research and all the up to date news items. For those interested in the teaching benefits of using blogs they may wish read the following article by Julie Hughes:

http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2006/timetable/abstract.php?abstract_id=815

The blog: http://sheffieldpals.blogspot.com/ is a mere five weeks old and a further blog; http://charliepeace.blogspot.com/ is just under construction for a course to be offered at a future date. It will be interesting to monitor the progress of the blogs as time passes. If you access the blog, we would welcome you leaving a post in one of the comments boxes.

If the blog has any success it will be due to the learners on the course who have contributed posts and accessed the blog for learning or reflection.

It is our contribution to 'The Invisible College'.

Ian Robertson

My Family At War

2008-11-01T02:50:00.005+01:00

Dan Snow, the TV historian, belongs to one of Britain's most distinguished broadcasting families. When he began looking into the past of a little-known ancestor, however, he was shocked to uncover a deeply uncomfortable family secret. Sir Thomas D'Oyly Snow, the grandfather of TV journalists Peter and Jon Snow, was a general at the Battle of the Somme who sent thousands of men to their deaths.
Dan came close to tears as he stood in the graveyards of northern France, contemplating his great-grandfather's central role in the biggest disaster in British military history. On the first day at the Somme, 1 July 1916, the army suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead. Popular history would judge that these men were 'lions' led by 'donkeys' such as Douglas Haig and Thomas Snow. 'That is the darkest day in British military history, arguably British history, and my great-grandpa was one of the key guys in the planning and execution of that attack,' Dan Snow told The Observer last week. 'That was a huge surprise. It's fascinating to be descended from one of the most maligned men in British history.'
Dan is the son of Peter Snow, the former Newsnight presenter famed for the election night 'swingometer', and together they presented the TV series Battlefield Britain. Peter is a cousin of Jon Snow, the main presenter of Channel 4 News. Dan's grandfathers both fought in the Second World War, one in the army in India, the other in the Canadian navy. But despite being a professional historian Dan had not examined his own family history. He grew up aware of Thomas from a portrait on the living-room wall and his father's joking description of him as 'a bit rubbish'. 'He had a very stern face and this big moustache,' said Dan. 'He used to stare down at us from the wall as we ate.'
So the historian seized the BBC's offer to take part in My Family at War, a series in which celebrities trace ancestors connected with the First World War to mark next month's 90th anniversary of the Armistice. But unlike many of the other participants, who include Rolf Harris and Kirsty Wark, Dan did not find a straightforward story of lost innocence.

The research made for a harrowing journey for Dan, 29, who confessed to feeling a mixture of pride and shame in his ancestor. Thomas, a soldier since 1879, was a veteran of the Zulu War in South Africa and the doomed attempt to relieve Charles Gordon in Khartoum during the war against the Mahdi. When conflict broke out in 1914 he was a divisional commander and saw action at the Marne and Ypres, suffering a serious injury after falling from his horse. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, he commanded VII Corps in an attack on Gommecourt which ended in failure.
Dan retraced his great-grandfather's movements in the programme, to be shown on BBC1 at 10.35pm on 3 November. 'It was quite jarring,' he recalled. 'I went to the château he was in on the first day of the Somme. The sun was pouring in through the window and I was sitting at his desk. He said when the wind was right he could just about hear the artillery; a few miles away from him the most bloody slaughter in British history was going on. Obviously it was very disturbing, but it's too easy to make trite conclusions and say he was a complete scoundrel for not sharing the dangers with his men. That's not why he was being paid. He was actually being paid to try to work out what the hell was going on and how he was going to overcome these problems.' But in one of his least edifying acts, Thomas Snow apparently sought to pass blame for his part in the debacle to one of his subordinates.
He wrote to headquarters: 'I regret to have to report that the 46th Division in yesterday's operation showed a lack of offensive spirit. I can only attribute this to the fact that its commander, Maj Gen the Hon E J Stuart-Wortley, is not of an age, neither has he the constitution, to allow him to be as much among his men in the front lines as is necessary to imbue all ranks with confidence and spirit. I therefore recommend that a younger man, and one more physically capable of energy, should be appointed to command the division.'
Stuart-Wortley was consequently sacked by Haig and spent the next eight years striving to clear his name. Dan described his great-grandfather's behaviour in the incident as 'unacceptable'. He said: 'You can imagine the upper echelons of the British army, everybody blaming each other. It was chaos. Everyone was trying to save their skin and he blamed the group that couldn't answer back and that was the dead. That was a very difficult moment for me.'
Yet Dan, who has studied the First World War, refused to condemn Thomas and his peers unequivocally. 'I think the lions led by donkeys thing is untrue. Obviously there were total duds among the generals, but on the whole they were a very bright group of men struggling with some of the biggest challenges ever posed in warfare. The rulebook had been ripped up and thrown away, and they were dealing with an entirely different kind of warfare, technologies and world. It was incredibly difficult and they adapted to the industrial warfare of the First World War quicker than the Americans adapted to guerrilla warfare in Iraq.' He added: 'It's such an interesting story that it's impossible to have one overwhelming emotion. You feel a huge mixture of a bit of pride, on one or two occasions shame when he had made big mistakes, and on a lot of other occasions simply pity. It's difficult for us to judge.'

Have Your Say

2008-10-29T18:47:00.008+01:00

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch will be held on

Tuesday, 11th November at 7pm at The Circle , 33 Rockingham Lane (off Division Street)

Please let me know by Monday 3rd. November if you have any items for the agenda , or any nominations for officers . ( Please include the names of a proposer and seconder for any nominations, and obtain the nominee’s consent to the nomination )

The following have been nominated by the Branch Committee , and are willing to stand:-

Chair : Charlotte Ratcliffe
Vice- Chair : Ian Horsfield
Treasurer : Alan Wilkinson
Secretary : John Wills

We hope that the meeting will provide the opportunity to review the
good things which have happened in the last year, and to talk about our
hopes for the future.

Any further enquiries: 0114 272 6009 / johnwills@callnetuk.com

Tell your story

2008-10-28T19:32:00.003+01:00

Details are available at: www.callcampaign.org.uk.

Have you had a great experience of adult education? Has life-long learning changed your life? Have you been effected by cuts or changes to the provision in your area?
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The Last Day of World War One, Sat 1 Nov 8.15pm

2008-10-24T00:17:00.008+02:00

In the week before Remembrance Day, Michael Palin tells the story of how the First World War ended on 11 November 1918 and reveals the shocking truth that soldiers continued to be killed in battle for many hours after the Armistice had been signed. Michael Palin's Great Uncle Harry died at the Somme. Like so many families, his was scarred by the "war to end all wars". Recounting the events of the days and hours leading up to that last morning, Palin tells the personal stories of the last soldiers to die as the minutes and seconds ticked away to the 11am ceasefire

The First Battle of The Somme

2008-10-23T00:41:00.010+02:00

Well done to everyone's input into Session 5 and thanks for all your kind comments that were passed on to Jol...appreciated.

More books came in last night - Christine brought in what can only desribed as the best private collection of books related to the Sheffield pals I have seen outside of the archives. We looked briefly at a collection of letters written by a pal to his parents - thanks to Christine for bringing in the photosets of these letters

Peter brought in 2 articles regarding the training camps in Staffordshire

Raymond brought in battle orders for KOYLI and with Christine's letters these were great examples of materials that are the 'glue' for researchers and historians.

Ian brought in DVD's that documented his pipe bands' journey to the Somme in May of this year

Can I thank everyone for their contributions to the session in this way!

Redmires Report - if you would like the full copy of the report then please leave a message on the blog or e mail and I will forward you a copy by e mail.

Redmires Walk - Phil is planning to enquire on behalf of the group regarding meals at The Sportsman. If anyone wanted a hot meal after the walk, it maybe possible to pre book a meal at a group rate price (?)...many thanks to Phil for this. We have 25 who have expressed an interest in the walk. I will post and hand out further details regarding the meeting point for the walk at a later date. If you need a lift up to Lodge Moor then as Ian suggested we surely can arrange lifts for everyone at a later group meeting.

Sheffield Memorial Park and Sheffield Monument Serre

2008-10-21T00:05:00.011+02:00

These are some photos taken during my visit to Serre in May 2008. They include the monuments to the Barnsley and Accrington Pals as well as the Sheffield Pals.

Photographs overlooking Redmires Reservoirs

2008-10-20T23:02:00.003+02:00

Following discussions of the walk on 13th December, I thought the attached photographs might be of interest. They were taken in June 2007 (just before the floods) on a walk organised by the Peak District Rangers. I believe that the walk was entitled "From Bronze Age Settlements to Tommy Atkins Trenches" or similar.

The photos were both taken on Brown Edge, overlooking Redmires Reservoirs. According to the Rangers, this was the spoil heap created when the reservoirs were originally excavated. One of the photographs shows what is apparently the traces of a practice trench, and the other is a view over Redmires Reservoirs.

Session 5

2008-10-20T08:03:00.004+02:00

In most accounts of 'pals' battalions and the Somme there is scant regard for the French and German exchanges prior to July 1st 1916. In the first part of session 5 we will examine the French and German battles in and around Serre - the destination for the Sheffield City Battalion in the Summer of 1916.

For those who regularly visit the battlefields, the main site for French commemoration is the Ossuaire Douaumont. Here is a link:

http://www.verdun-douaumont.com/

In the second part of the session we will examine the final stages of training for Sheffield City and the divisional mobilisation to Egypt.

Walk Details

2008-10-19T19:25:00.005+02:00

A few more details regarding the walk that Helen will lead up to Redmires.

The walk takes place on Saturday 13 th December and we are planning to meet at the top car park at 11am. The walk should last around 2 hours. It is a well defined path although some off-track walking will be done. There is a sharp incline (especially for those who prefer not to climb over the stile) to arrive at the site.

You will need to bring a picnic/warm drinks and to wear extra warm clothes. It is anticipated that from the 'Hill', we will then venture to the camp (adjacent to The Sportsman). 'Tha Sportsman' club hut is possibly one of the original huts, but had not explored the now wooded area that was once the POW/Redmires Camp. Difficult to assess if any of the hut platforms related to the earlier camp, but you do get some sense of the spatial organisation of the camp.

We will also need a pub to retire to after the walk for those interested - any thoughts here?

Redmires Training

2008-10-18T15:10:00.004+02:00

Trench building, defending and attacking were one of the main activities at Redmires for the Sheffield City Battalion and the Barnsley Pals.

By 1915 the Battalion were building trenches on the moorland according to pre designed standards set down by the army. The trenches would have been like the one posted in the drawing below:

Fragments of War

2008-10-16T12:53:00.007+02:00

Sheffield Popular Arts are performing, 'Fragments of War' a drama about the First World War with reference to the Sheffield Pals. The drama includes poetry, songs and original writing.

Timings and venues are set out below

Redmires Update

2008-10-15T23:17:00.009+02:00

At present we do not have any timings for the 13 th December walk but if you can indicate your interest for the next session. Hopefully, I can give you an idea regarding timings next Wednesday. I know a number of people who wanted to bring friends on the walk - no worries!

We are hoping to take 10 digital cameras to record your visit to Redmires. I will bring the cameras to a future session for people to shoot a few pics of the group and get a feel for the camera and their editing features.

Thanks goes to Yvonne for bringing two interesting books to Session 4, relating to the Yorks and Lancs register plus a very interesting publication related to Burngreave and WW1.

Raymond brought a number of interesting artefacts to the session - water bottle, shrapnel, rifle/machine gun rounds, shell caps and cap badges, most of items were found by Raymond on his numerous battlefield trips. Excellent!

Thanks to Howard for an interesting article on trench warfare conservation and his offer to construct an extended reading list for the course.

Well done to everyone who were able to put names to the faces quiz - we shall look at a few more individual people in Session 5.

Christine is preparing a few materials for Session 5 in relation to Pals writing home from Egypt. Look forward to Christine's contribution next week and keep churning the words out!!

Well done to Dave - our first blogger!

Redmires visit

2008-10-12T15:56:00.002+02:00

I will definately be there, sounds like a good idea. I will give those of us who haven't been before, the chance to see where the camp was, size etc

Walking Tour of Redmires?

2008-10-10T13:56:00.005+02:00

Sheffield University has generously offered to lead a tour up to Redmires on Saturday 13th December for our group.

Would any members of our group be interested in a visit to Redmires?

This will be certainly be an item for discussion at our next meeting

Memories of Work

2008-10-09T17:15:00.008+02:00

Just a quick plug for a meeting and a new publication published by the WEA.

The book is entitled:

‘Earning aliving, memories of work in and around the Sheffield area’

A meeting is planned to discuss the book and its themes. Although the meeting is scheduled during our course time, you may know people who might be interested in attending. The details of the meeting and a contact point for further info is set out below:

Wednesday 29 October at 2.30pm
at the Quaker Meeting House, St James Street, Sheffield
(near the Cathedral, disabled access)

c/o SOHAS, 3rd floor, 55 Queen St, S1 2DX
Email, memories@sohas.co.uk

Rememberance of Things Past

2008-10-09T14:43:00.006+02:00

As we find ourselves pushing toward mid October, we are reminded that November 11th is not too far away. The Royal British Legion each year sell red poppies to raise money for ex servicemen and women. If you are interested in the origins of the red poppy, interested in the work of the Legion or would like to become involved in their work, you can find further information at:

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

An alternative to the red poppy is the wearing of a white poppy. You can find the origins of the white poppy and various peace organisations via the following website:

http://www.ppu.org.uk/poppy/

Update

2008-10-09T13:30:00.016+02:00

Now enabled the blog to accept posts from members of the group. You can post a few pics or post interesting links or perhaps offer some further insights on the previous session. In the next few days I will post a range of links - hopefully of use to the many diverse interests and expertise of group members.

If you experience any problems in posting on the blog, this maybe due to e mail addresses. I had a number of difficulties transcribing e mail addresses, especially in relation to upper/lower case sensitive addresses. If you simply cannot post,then send off an e mail to my address at ianrobo@gmail.com and I can correct this immediately.

Thanks to Margaret and Christine for bringing in their file of materials on the pals. I would be grateful if Margaret and Christine could bring this to further sessions for the benefit of the group?! Christine and Margaret have amassed a treasure trove of primary historical records and archaeological evidence relating to the pals. There are copies of original letters from pals at various stages of their journey, maps and photos of Redmires and a whole host of important primary materials. Ask Margaret and Christine about their research on the pals. Christine and Margaret are hoping to publish a report on the pals shortly and are currently exploring various avenues to make these materials available to the general public. Well done!

Thanks also go to Peter and Raymond who have volunteered to bring in WW1 military artifacts for later sessions. The offer of 'high explosives', I had to gracefully decline on flimsy health and safety grounds.

Thanks goes to Howard for two interesting books related to the First World War. Firstly, an anthropological study of trench warfare, detailing the interrelationships of the men in the trenches and a book published around the outbreak of the war that detailed the 'British' reasons for the conflict - ask Howard about these two publications.

Can I bring to your attention a few events.

The National Mining Museum in Wakefield are having an open day on Monday 27 th October, 1-4pm. They are currently seeking out volunteers with historical skills to help with their archives. If you are interested in attending the open session, volunteering your skills or wish to support the museum with a visit, they can be contacted on 01924 848806:

http://www.ncm.org.uk/

The Sheffield Lit and Reading Festival is now underway and there are a number of courses, workshops and events relating to 20 th century conflict and to local history. There are a number of events running in the Central Library, mostly free or a nominal charge related to local history and a full itinerary can be found at:

http://www.offtheshelf.org.uk/

For those wanting a little extra help with putting names to faces for the photographs, check out Andrew Jackson's brilliant Internet site on the pals at:

http://www.pals.org.uk/

You will find links to all the major avenues of available research on the pals.

If you have not already visited the Yorks and Lancs Museum in Rotherham, it is well worth a visit. The opening times and points of contact are detailed on their site at:

http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/index.htm

In recent years a number of films and television programmes have been made and placed on the net in respect of WW1. You can find a number of film and documentary clips about the Somme on Youtube. Just simply type 'Somme' into their search facility at:

http://www.uk.youtube.com/

Chris, Phil, Ian, Nick and a number of significant others call for a drink after the sessions. If you would like a drink after the course, you can find people in the Red Deer, just off Mappin Street - a great little pub with real ale.

Rerum cognoscere causas ("to discover the causes of things")

2008-09-22T15:20:00.002+02:00

This is the first posting for the WEA course, ' The Sheffield Pals and The First Battle of The Somme.'

Over the next 10 weeks we hope to add links, pictures and contributions from the people on our course.

Thanks for everyone's input this evening for the first session. Later in the week I will add your names to the admissions dashboard and you will be able to post directly on the blog. If you need further guidance on how to post, please let me know.

Six Young Men

The celluloid of a photograph holds them well -

Six young men, familiar to their friends.

Four decades that have faded and ochre-tinged

This photograph have not wrinkled the faces or the hands.

Though their cocked hats are not now fashionable, Their shoes shine.

One imparts an intimate smile, One chews a grass, one lowers his eyes, bashful, One is ridiculous with cocky pride -

Six months after this picture they were all dead.

All are trimmed for a Sunday jaunt.

I know That bilberried bank, that thick tree, that black wall, Which are there yet and not changed.

From where these sit You hear the water of seven streams fall

To the roarer in the bottom, and through all The leafy valley a rumouring of air go.

Pictured here, their expressions listen yet,

And still that valley has not changed its sound

Though their faces are four decades under the ground.

This one was shot in an attack and layCalling in the wire,

then this one, his best friend,Went out to bring him in and was shot too;

And this one, the very moment he was warned From potting at tin-cans in no-man's land,

Fell back dead with his rifle-sights shot away.

The rest, nobody knows what they came to, But come to the worst they must have done, and held it Closer than their hope; all were killed.
Here see a man's photograph,

The locket of a smile, turned overnight Into the hospital of his mangled last Agony and hours; see bundled in it His mightier-than-a-man dead bulk and weight:

And on this one place which keeps him alive (In his Sunday best) see fall war's worst Thinkable flash and rending, onto his smile Forty years rotting into soil.

That man's not more alive whom you confront

And shake by the hand, see hale, hear speak loud,

Than any of these six celluloid smiles are,

Nor prehistoric or, fabulous beast more dead;

No thought so vivid as their smoking-blood:

To regard this photograph might well dement, S

uch contradictory permanent horrors here

Smile from the single exposure and shoulder out One's own body from its instant and heat.

Ted Hughes

Hughes based his poem on a photograph he saw. If you are interested in further detail then click on the link below:

http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/news/news07/102.html