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g jones · 02-07-2006, 09:11

As promised....

Mr Mayor I would like to second the motion and contribute a few thoughts of my own if I may.

Mr Mayor, Alderman, Councillors, Distinguished Guests

Today is a very important day. It is day when we remember together our history and recognise the ultimate sacrifice given by our relatives and our community.

To particularly remember the sacrifices of The Accrington Pals and the magnitude of that terrible day the 1st day in July 19 hundred and 16 where between Arras and Albert, 20,000 of our fellow citizens were killed in just one day, with 40,000 left maimed wounded and scarred by the horrors of war.

We are gathered here today to remember Accrington’s historic contribution particularly on that day on the Somme, but not forgetting those in the regimnentwho lost their lives subsequently and those in the regiment who suffered the brutality of the war at the Battle of Arras, La Becque, Ayette, Lys; and that we also remember those who suffered in all wars.

The 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals. A volunteer army of friends who enlisted together, fought together and ultimately died together.

It is often said how with passing of time the memory fades, as generation passes through to generation. So it is with great honour we are here today to never forget.

In remembering our past, it is important to future generations that we not only leave visual reminders but that we also remember the horrific nature. With the distance of time we must not sanitise history and in doing so loosen the ties to our heritage.

For younger generations through the cinematic experience of the first 30 minutes of Enemy at the Gates, Saving Private Ryan, we can connect in some way with the harrowing circumstances endured on the Somme.

In was in that very same 30 minutes that out of some 720 Accrington Pals who took part in the attack on the 1st July 1916, 585 men became casualties, 235 killed and 350 wounded.

That week had begun with a long bombardment of German defences which were heavily fortified, made worse by many of the British shells failing to explode. When the bombardment began, the Germans simply moved underground and waited.

At 7.20am, Captain Tough led the first of the battalion’s four waves.

As the 11 British divisions walked towards the German lines, the machine guns started and the slaughter of the people of Accrington began.

Brigadier-General H. C. Rees, GOC of 94th Brigade wrote in his diaries;

“The result of the shells, shrapnel, machine-gun and rifle fire was such that hardly any of our men reached the German front trench. The lines which advanced in such admirable order, melted away under fire; yet not a man wavered, broke the ranks or attempted to go back. I have never seen, indeed could never have imagined such a magnificent display of gallantry, discipline and determination.”

A Accrington’s Pals battalion signaller, observing from the rear, reported the horrors of what he saw:
“We were able to see our comrades move forward in an attempt to cross No Man’s Land, only to be mown down like meadow grass. I felt sick at the sight of the carnage and remember weeping.”

The losses were hard to bear in our community as with many others. Where nearly everyone had a relative or friend who had been killed or wounded. It is still something my Grandmother talks about today and her story is of the Ambulance Corps moving across the battlefield amongst the cries of the mortally wounded, those of our community who had made the biggest sacrifice of all to this borough, and this country in heinous circumstances, their life. And also my distant Aunt, Alderman Tom, her personal experiences and the losses suffered by her family. Her father was gassed at Ypres. My great Uncle Walter taken prisoner.

Let us never forget what was given by our fellow Accringtonian’s in this war and all wars. And never let us never forget the silent victims; the relatives and families whose scars carried on long beyond the battlefield.

I commend the motion laid out before this Council giving Freedom of the Borough to East Lancs Regiment,

Thank you Mr Mayor.

02-07-2006, 09:11	#11
g jones Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,125 Liked: 14 times Rep Power: 732	Freedom of Borough Speech As promised.... Mr Mayor I would like to second the motion and contribute a few thoughts of my own if I may. Mr Mayor, Alderman, Councillors, Distinguished Guests Today is a very important day. It is day when we remember together our history and recognise the ultimate sacrifice given by our relatives and our community. To particularly remember the sacrifices of The Accrington Pals and the magnitude of that terrible day the 1st day in July 19 hundred and 16 where between Arras and Albert, 20,000 of our fellow citizens were killed in just one day, with 40,000 left maimed wounded and scarred by the horrors of war. We are gathered here today to remember Accrington’s historic contribution particularly on that day on the Somme, but not forgetting those in the regimnentwho lost their lives subsequently and those in the regiment who suffered the brutality of the war at the Battle of Arras, La Becque, Ayette, Lys; and that we also remember those who suffered in all wars. The 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals. A volunteer army of friends who enlisted together, fought together and ultimately died together. It is often said how with passing of time the memory fades, as generation passes through to generation. So it is with great honour we are here today to never forget. In remembering our past, it is important to future generations that we not only leave visual reminders but that we also remember the horrific nature. With the distance of time we must not sanitise history and in doing so loosen the ties to our heritage. For younger generations through the cinematic experience of the first 30 minutes of Enemy at the Gates, Saving Private Ryan, we can connect in some way with the harrowing circumstances endured on the Somme. In was in that very same 30 minutes that out of some 720 Accrington Pals who took part in the attack on the 1st July 1916, 585 men became casualties, 235 killed and 350 wounded. That week had begun with a long bombardment of German defences which were heavily fortified, made worse by many of the British shells failing to explode. When the bombardment began, the Germans simply moved underground and waited. At 7.20am, Captain Tough led the first of the battalion’s four waves. As the 11 British divisions walked towards the German lines, the machine guns started and the slaughter of the people of Accrington began. Brigadier-General H. C. Rees, GOC of 94th Brigade wrote in his diaries; “The result of the shells, shrapnel, machine-gun and rifle fire was such that hardly any of our men reached the German front trench. The lines which advanced in such admirable order, melted away under fire; yet not a man wavered, broke the ranks or attempted to go back. I have never seen, indeed could never have imagined such a magnificent display of gallantry, discipline and determination.” A Accrington’s Pals battalion signaller, observing from the rear, reported the horrors of what he saw: “We were able to see our comrades move forward in an attempt to cross No Man’s Land, only to be mown down like meadow grass. I felt sick at the sight of the carnage and remember weeping.” The losses were hard to bear in our community as with many others. Where nearly everyone had a relative or friend who had been killed or wounded. It is still something my Grandmother talks about today and her story is of the Ambulance Corps moving across the battlefield amongst the cries of the mortally wounded, those of our community who had made the biggest sacrifice of all to this borough, and this country in heinous circumstances, their life. And also my distant Aunt, Alderman Tom, her personal experiences and the losses suffered by her family. Her father was gassed at Ypres. My great Uncle Walter taken prisoner. Let us never forget what was given by our fellow Accringtonian’s in this war and all wars. And never let us never forget the silent victims; the relatives and families whose scars carried on long beyond the battlefield. I commend the motion laid out before this Council giving Freedom of the Borough to East Lancs Regiment, Thank you Mr Mayor. Last edited by g jones; 02-07-2006 at 09:21.