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The 'Pals" battalions were a phenomenon of the Great War, never repeated since. Under Lord Derby's scheme, and in response to Kitchener's famous call for a million volunteers, local communities raised (and initially often paid for) entire battalions for service on the Western Front. Their experience was all too frequently tragic, as men who had known each other all their lives, had worked, volunteered, and trained together, and had shipped to France together, encountered the first full fury of modern battle on the Somme in July 1916. Many of the Pals battalions would not long survive that first brutal baptism, but their spirit and fighting qualities have gone down into history - these were, truly, the cream of Britain's young men, and every single one of them was a volunteer.

This is a comprehensive history of the Tyneside Irish Brigade raised in the North East. It covers their raising, training and active service as well as the aftermath of the war and how it effected the local community. Included is an invaluable nominal roll which will appeal to local, family and military enthusiasts alike.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Sheen has always been a Durham man. He was a regular soldier for 23 years. He is the author of Tyneside Irish and Tyneside Scottish and he writes for historical magazines.

47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS
EMail: enquiries@pen-and-sword.co.uk
Telephone: 01226 734222 Fax: 01226 734438
www.pen-and-sword.co.uk

ISBN: 9781848840935
Price: £ 25.00
Extent: 352
Illustrated:
Book Type: Hardback
Pub Date: January 2010
Author Local Area:

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