Pals Battalions and the Price of Loyalty: Accrington at the Somme

In this powerful episode, we uncover the tragic story of the Accrington Pals — a battalion of friends, neighbors, and co-workers who volunteered together to serve King and Country in World War I. As part of the British Army’s unique "Pals Battalions" initiative, the men of Accrington marched off to war side by side — and on July 1, 1916, many of them died side by side on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

We’ll explore: The origin and purpose of the Pals Battalions

The recruitment and training of the Accrington Pals

What happened when they went "over the top" at Serre

The devastating consequences for their town back home

Through historical analysis, personal letters, and eyewitness accounts, this video honors their memory while asking hard questions about sacrifice, loyalty, and the human cost of war.