Salford Pals Memorial Authuile

[barrie]

Hi Guys,
I'm new to the forum, but not new to Salford (born and bred). A couple of weeks ago I accompanied three old schoolfriends to the Somme and Ypres following the final steps of other Salford Grammar School Old Boys named on the memorial that is now in the Peel Building, Salford university.

The trip has given me memories that I will never lose, not least the staggering enormity of the human loss on the Western Front in WW1. We deliberately visited Authuile to view the Salford Pals memorial. A number of things shocked me about this - particularly the state, size and location of the memorial - little more that a 4ft brick wall with a bronze plaque. Compared to the memorial, for example, afforded the Accrington Pals, I was deeply disappointed. I have been told that this memorial was provided by the Western Front Association and is similar to about half a dozen others. At first I though the bick was in some way an attempt to be symbolic - but have been informed this is not the case.

Are we not able to raise enough funds to provide something more fitting? If it is to be a small wall, then why not out of the same sandstone as the headstones and memorials across the Western Front?

Barrie

[shred]

Hi Barrie,

Thank you for joining us.

Your recent trip must have been both rewarding and emotional. I have yet to visit any of the WW1 battlefields/cemeteries, a gap which I hope to fill soon. I have been lucky enough to visit quite a few of the WW2 cemeteries and sites of note in France, so I can appreciate the impact that your visit had on you and your school pals. A walk round any of the CWGC cemetery does bring the enormity of the human sacrifice home.

For any readers who are unfamiliar with the memorial being discussed (pictures courtesy of forum member tonyrod)

"To the eternal memory of three battalions of the 'Salford Pals', the 15th, 16th and 19th Lancashire Fusiliers of 32nd Division, who held the trenches in Authuille from early 1916 and who valiantly attacked the redoubts of Thiepval on 1st July 1916". The plaque was erected by the Lancashire & Cheshire Branch of the Western Front Association.

I do understand your feelings with regards to the Authuille memorial to our Salford Pals, but would say that size, design etc., are not the true measure of a memorial. I say this as I have seen memorials here in Salford that have been hand made, one WW2 memorial being made from a copper plate has had the names inscribed by indenting the plate with a nail. Whilst it is not the most perfect, or well made, of Salford’s memorials it was produced with the best intentions at heart and hangs proudly underneath the church’s WW1 memorial. There would also be many obstacles to overcome; the Western Front Association would need to be consulted as to how they would feel about having their memorial being usurped (maybe their plaque could be incorporated into a new memorial?), communication with the appropriate French authorities would have to be established, as would also be required with The Fusilier Museum, a prominent/well known local figure would be required to promote the idea and drive it forward with the public and press. The recent campaign for a Liverpool Pals memorial would be a good example to look at.

That said I think that SWARM would add their support to help raise funds and promote the idea if a proper committee was set up with this purpose in mind.

Please keep us updated.

Garry

[barrie]

Hi Garry,
Thanks for the reply. I do understand the idea behind your example that a crude memorial, scratched with a nail, can be as meaningful as anything produced by the most talented artisan - it is the feeling and sentimment that means the most. I may be a little over critical of the Pals Memorial at Authuile - it seemed a natural reaction, certainly having seen the grandeur of the memorials at Thiepval and TyneCot, but more so with the Accrington Pals memorial.

It goes without saying that I would recommend you go and visit. We went because a friend (Steve) has a great interest in both WW1 and WW2 and the impact on Salford. The four of us that went are all Old Salfordians (ex Salford Grammar School) - and following the steps of Old Boys that fell was particularly poignant - especially one who was shot as a deserter. We placed a written account of one Old Boy, including an old school photo at his grave at Essex Park. We intend to arrange further visits, acompanying other Old Boys and friends with the view to laying a wreath at the Menin Gate ceremony. My old school chum, Steve, has guest house contacts on the Somme and we can do the trip reasonably cheaply.

Thanks anyway for your encouragement - if we see a way forward we will contact again.

Barrie

[loucater]

With all due respect to Barrie,I was a frequent visitor to the Lancs and Cheshire branch of The W F A,during their efforts to build the memorial to The Salford Battalions. Mr Tom Brophy ,his wife and a chap called Mike Platt,were the main instigators of this memorial.
They raised the funds,which was hundreds of pounds,arranged the legalities in the village of Authuille,and liaised with the mayor of the said village.
I can assure you that the efforts that they made,were a true tribute to the men of Salford,as well as the fantastic tribute made by the entire village on the day of the inauguration.