Borough pauses in poignant tribute to Pals
THE people of Hyndburn gathered together to pay poignant respects to sons of the borough who fell on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
July 1 marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the bloodiest battle in British military history, and nowhere were the losses felt more keenly than in Accrington.
Members of the armed forces – serving and retired – dignitaries, guests, descendants of the Pals and members of the public gathered at the Accrington Pals Memorial Garden on Church Street at 7am on Friday, July 1 for a commemorative service.
At 7.30am, a clear, sharp whistle shattered the reserved silence, signifying the moment the order was given to go ’over the top’ in France.
Within 20 minutes of the order being given on July 1, 1916, 585 Pals lay dead or wounded, shattering the whole community back home. So many lost husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, friends and neighbours.
Reverend Ian Enticott, vicar of the United Benefice of Accrington St James and St Paul, led the service.
He said: “At 7.20am, whistles blew and men climbed from the trenches, as the bombardment of the German lines began.
“But the attack turned into carnage at 7.30, as the men began to advance into No Man’s Land, and walked in line towards the German positions.
“Machine gun and rifle fire immediately tore into the advancing lines of infantry.”
Corporal Oliver Gillibrand, of the 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, read the poem A Soldier’s Cemetery, by John William Streets, who was killed in the battle aged 31.
Trevor Dawson, chairman of the Accrington Branch of the Royal British Legion, spoke from a piece entitled For The Fallen.
He said: “They shall not grow 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.”
The Lancashire Artillery band played the Last Post, as flags were lowered and a moment of silence was observed and wreaths laid.
On Broadway, crowds gathered to pay their respects throughout the day as a roll call of every soldier who served with the Accrington Pals was read out in alphabetical order.
Deputy Mayor Coun Peter Britcliffe, who read the first part of the roll call, said: “This was the saddest ever day in the history of our townships a century ago. Everyone was affected by the huge loss of life, which shattered a whole community. It’s been so touching and emotional to come together at these events in remembrance of those brave lads and all who fell in the Great War and conflicts since. We must never forget their enormous sacrifice.”
The previous day, residents came together for a commemoration at the cenotaph in Oakhill Park to remember those from Great Harwood, Oswaldtwistle, Baxenden, Accrington, Church, and Huncoat who gave their lives during the Battle of the Somme.
Community walks also took place from the borough’s townships, meeting
in the park to replicate the march to the front of the Accrington Pals on June 30, 1916. The event culminated in a stunning performance theatre piece in the park entitled ‘Falling’.
Director Sophie Fitzpatrick said it had been a “huge honour” to work on the project.
She said: “It was a very powerful and thought provoking performance. It has been amazing to see our community come together to not only commemorate those who fell, but also the men that came home and the women that later helped to re-build the Lancashire we know today.
“A huge thank you must go to those who gave up so much of their time to take part in the “Falling”. You really honoured the men that went over the top and I’m sure you’re as proud as I was to remember them.”
A candlelit vigil was held at the Pals Memorial on Church Street where the Royal British Legion was joined by members of Accrington Pipe Band and Royal Artillery Band.
There was also a vigil at All Saints Church in Clayton-le-Moors, followed by a wreath laying at the war memorial in Mercer Park.
A First World War exhibition also launched this week at Accrington’s Haworth Art Gallery and will run until September 21. An official launch event, open to the public will be held at 11am this Saturday, July 9.