Pal's Gals
 

Hi there,

I'm conducting some research into the Accrington Pals (its all absolutely fascinating!) - but what I'd love to know more about though is how life was on the homefront during the First World War - about the experiences and changes happening for the families and friends of the Pals.

I read somewhere that over 3000 women started working in Accrington making shells and hand grenades - is this true??

Any info or advice on good books/sources about what life would have been like for those left behind during 1914-1918 (and how life would have changed for them after the disaster of the first day of the Somme) would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Victoria

Re: Pal's Gals
 

Not particularly the Accrington Pals ( more Chorley Pals), but last year we had a lecture, with the History Society, from Steve Williams entitled 'A Mother's Tears' which was a mother's feelings and fears for her son as he was serving with the army, linked with correspondence between them.

Don't know whether he would answer any questions as appears to make a small income out of his lectures, but this is him anyway:

http://www.stevewilliamstalks.co.uk/...HURE-2011-.pdf


My gran worked at Howard & Bulloughs during this war, but have no stories to relate. Why didn't we ask them more, eh ?

Re: Pal's Gals
 

I know what you mean about not asking them ... didn't seem important at the time, did it? I know my gran, Sarah "Sally" Ashton, worked making munitions in the War; my mum told me that. But that's all I know ... she died in '62 after working in the mills most of her life. She had to; my granddad could'nt work because of wounds he picked up in '17. What amazing people they were ... no wimping, no complaining; they just got going and did what had to be done. Not much of that going on these days is there?