Accrington Pals
 

Just been looking at various sites that mention the Accrington Pals.
There are some corkers, had a right chuckle.
If all the claims about their Grandad or Great Uncle serving in the Accrington Pals were true, they alone could fought germany to a standstill.
Of the 4255 men who enlisted or served in the 11th East Lancs from Sept 14th 1914 to October 1919, only 1686 were original Accrington Pals, and over 600 of those never went with them to Egypt and France, but had been discharged for one reason or another.
Whats up with these people who suddenly want all their relatives to have been a Pal, sirry iriots.
I wish I had a quid for every one of those false Pals.

Re: Accrington Pals
 

You're so right, Retlaw. When I worked in Accrington Library we had so many enquiries from people claiming to have Pals' relations. I imagine there are even more now with Hyndburn Council's commemorations.
Helen B.