The book covers the raising of the
battalion, training, Egypt, early days in
France, preparations for the Somme, 1st
July (over 248 men killed, over 300
wounded), the aftermath of the battle,
Neuve Chapelle, Arras, Vimy Ridge and
finally disbandment and post war.
The book also has extensive
appendices, listing decorations, army
organisations and ranks, biographical list,
The Reserves Companies, Documents.
With a unique selection of photographs
this book is a tribute to the men who
served in the Sheffield City Battalion.

Village Publications

With a unique selection of photographs this book is a tribute to the men who served in the Sheffield City Battalion.

Wartime Memories Project

THE phenomenon of Kitchener's Citizen Army and the Pals Battalions is encapsulated in this comprehensive and emotive history.

The Sheffield Pals were at the centre of what became known as the blackest day in the history of the British Army – July 1, 1916.

This excellent history tells the story of men from every background in Sheffield from the raising of the battalion, through the debacle of the Somme and beyond.

Packed with maps, photographs and personal histories it is an authorative standalone battalion history ideal for the Western Front expert or the novice.

British Army Review/Soldier Magazine - Maj Mike Peters

As featured in

Sheffield Star

Soon after the outbreak of war in September 1914, the City of Sheffield began raising its own battalion. Some three and a half years later the Sheffield Pals as they and became known as disbanded, never to be reformed. More than 3,000 local men served in battalion, of which some 700 were either killed or died of their wounds. The Pals distinguished themselves in the heat and dist of Egypt and the mud of the Western Front. This is their story.

Great War Magazine, Jan 2012

This book differs somewhat in tone and content from many regimental histories from the Great War. The first difference comes at the point where the battalion leaves British shores - unlike the vast majority of New Army battalions the 12th didn't go straight to France, but instead was sent to Egypt, where it spent some time defending the line of the Suez Canal. This gives the book rather more variety than is often the case.

The second difference comes in the account of the First Battle of the Somme. Here the authors begin with a detailed look at the background to the battle, the British plans for the attack, and the reasons that they failed. This gives us a much more detailed picture of the attack of 1 July 1916 than is often the case, and makes it clear that the disastrous British defeat on the first day of the Somme was much more complex than is normally believed. After providing us with this background, the authors then produce a detailed and compelling account of the Battalion's tragic involvement in the attack.

After the Somme we follow the battalion as it moved around some of the best known parts of the Western Front, although normally arriving during relatively quiet periods. Finally, as the man-power crisis began to hit, the battalion was disbanded and most of the remaining men moved into another battalion of the York & Lancaster Regiment.

This is an excellent battalion history, and also a valuable contribution to the literature on the Great War.

History of War