Puzzled by service number

[Benn2509]

I'm trying to trace the whereabouts of my great grandfather during WW1, I now know he served with the 16th battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, (2nd salford pals), and that he died on 01/04/1917. But after reading the Salford Pals by Michael Stedman, I noticed most of the 2nd pals service numbers began 1...., However my G.Grandfathers number began 3...., Does this mean he didnt serve with them from the beginning?
I hope someone can shed some light,
Many thanks, Benn.

[manmack]

hiya benn,your g/father was sent as a replacement later on,those in stedmans book are the original pals,he probably attested in 1914 or early 1915 but there was no room for him,so he would have been still working,and when the time came,he would have been sent for training and then off to the front as a replacement,hes still a salford pal though,stedman based his book on the first 1000-1400 men,mack

[willow2670]

Out of interest, my Great Uncle was also in the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers.
He volunteered Nov 1914 & was drafted about a year later to France.

Can you please tell me why the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers was also
named the 2nd salford pals, or would it be wiser to read the book Benn
refers to?

Many thanks
Sue

[Benn2509]

Hi Sue,
           I can tell you what I think, and that is that the 16th lancashire fusiliers, or 2nd salford pals, weren't regular soldiers. Pals battalions were called that because they were made up of friends, workmates, social clubs etc, then obviously given military status.
Thats my view on it, but I think ManMack is the person to explain it better!
Out of interest, what was your great uncles name? and how much do you know about his time in the war? I highly recommend reading the salford pals by michael steadman. I learnt alot from it, and I'm now able to start creating a memorial page to my great grandfather.
Good luck, Regards, Benn.

[willow2670]

Hi Benn
I only found this info yesterday, hence why I'm so vague.
I did hunt for the book, but found it was not being published now   
 
BURTON H.S Corpl, Lancashire Fusiliers
12 Stowell Street, Weaste
Volunteering in Nov 1914 was drafted a year
later to France and took part in the fighting at,
Loos, Vermells, Vimy Ridge, the Somme, and
Arras, where he was wounded.
He rejoined his unit and was in action at Ypres
and cambrai and was again wounded in 1918
at the Somme and invalided home.
He was demobilised in Feb 1919 and holds the
1914-15 Star, General Service and Victory medals.
Ref: Z4341

All the best

Sue

[harribobs]

Can you please tell me why the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers was also
named the 2nd salford pals

there was a patriotic rush to join the armed forces after war was declared. many of the big cities (and towns)  wanted to show their enthusiasm for the war by raising their own battalions (the Pals/chums/comrades battalions). they found sponsors amongst the local business's and promised pensions and support to their families.

They advertised ( sometimes in their own companies) and men who worked and played together flocked to join up, many thinking it would be much better to fight along side men they knew and trusted

These battalions were then adopted by the local regiments, the salfords pals battalions became part of the lancs fusillers, the manchester ( and oldham) pals became part of the Manchester Regiment etc etc

So when the battalion was first raised they given a number that related to the city where they were raised ( Manchester raised 8 and Oldham 1) and when they officially became part of the regiment they were given an appropriate battalion number, this had to lead on from battalions already numbered within the regiment

i hope that made sense 

[Benn2509]

Hi Sue,
            I tried everywhere to find the book, but in the end ordered it through my local library, it took two weeks to arrive, but was well worth it. It goes into each battle in great detail, really quite shocking what those men went through!!
I've also seen it on the internet for sale, I think if you do a search for 'salford pals' or michael steadman, it'll show you where you can purchase the book.
Regards, Benn

[harribobs]

as Benny says..great book, Mike Stedman also wrote a superb book on the Manchester Pals as well

[willow2670]

Thanks Harribobs & Benn,

This all makes sense, & will pursue with finding
the "Salford Pals" by Michael Steadman.

I note on Google search there is also a book named
"Gods own: 1st Salford Pals, 1914-1918" by Neil Drum & Roger Dowson.
Have you guys ever read this also?


Regards to you both

Sue