The Chorley Pals Memorial Trust was represented at the annual Accrington Pals service earlier today (Sunday, 16th February) by Co-Founder & Trustee Steve Williams.
The service in St. John’s Church, Accrington is held annually to commemorate when the Accrington Pals (11th Battalion, East Lancs.) came together for the first time on the 23rd February 1915, departing for Caernarvon in North Wales to start their training.
The two Accrington and District company’s (W & X) went ahead, whilst the train carrying the Burnley Company (Z) called at Chorley Station at 11.50 a.m. to collect the Chorley Pals (Y Company).
A list of all the original members of the 11th East Lancs. (“The Accrington Pals”) was published in the Accrington Observer & Times on the 23rd February 1915 [click the picture above for a full-sized image].
The Chorley Pals Memorial are planning a number of commemoration events later this year, in February 2015 and in July 2016; more details soon.
