Sheffield Pals at Bramall Lane

[Kenilworth]

No apologies for this being posted in this section since its Remembrance Day next Friday and it is Blades related.

This is a pic of the Sheffield Pals regiment drilling at Bramall Lane. Must have been 1914 when the volunteers formed before the camp at Redmires had been built.

John Street looks a bit shabby.

Sobering thought that almost all of these young men were slaughtered in minutes on the Somme in 1916 - 100 years ago. Ordered to March, slowly, with full pack on, into a hail of machine gun fire.



There is a really excellent book, written by John Harris (not the former Blades manager) called Covenant with Death that tells a story based on these guys. Had to be one of the best books written about WW1 - written in the 60s by a local Journo. In the book the football ground is referred to as the "Rovers" and Redmires is "Blackmires" but it's obvious where the setting is.

 

[grafikhaus]

Good stuff, Kenilworth. Something I touched on in this post.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

What an excellent photograph and idea to post it here. I didn't know anything about this Sheffield Pals regiment tbh - but of course I know, (I think everyone knows), what a tremendous sacrifice our soldiers gave, IN ORDER THAT WE COULD RULE OUR OWN COUNTRY.

I hope that people will remember the reason why so many lost their lives when they place the wreaths at the cenotaph next Sunday.

 

[hoylandblade]

After looking at this i've only one thing to say F**k off FIFA

 

[Kenilworth]

Good stuff, Kenilworth. Something I touched on in this post.

Good thread, Graffers. I missed it. One of the reasons I posted in Blades Chat as it allows more people to see it and it's poignant this week.

I have that series recorded on Sky + but not got around to watching it yet.
Was surprised when you said 1917 then read further down that the battle went on longer. I had thought that by 1917 the Redmires camp had been built - but I'm no historical expert.

Just makes me wonder if we were all alive at that time, and of a certain age, how many of us would have been in the Pals regiment. I suspect a lot of us.

 

[spongebobblade]

In the modern day era of mobile phones, tablets and computers, accessing history has never been so easy yet the youth of today need to be reminded more than ever of the sacrifices our countrymen made, in all wars but especially WW1 and 2. Without it they wouldn't lead the lifestyle the majority have today

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

In the modern day era of mobile phones, tablets and computers, accessing history has never been so easy yet the youth of today need to be reminded more than ever of the sacrifices our countrymen made, in all wars but especially WW1 and 2. Without it they wouldn't lead the lifestyle the majority have today

Do they even teach about the two World Wars in school these days. I know one school that teaches WWII from the perspective of how it affected German civilians without a mention of Allied forces heroism in fighting Fascism. And don't get me started on how we have been allowing spell check to teach our kids grammar, spelling and punctuation these days

 

[Cerberus Blade]

In the modern day era of mobile phones, tablets and computers, accessing history has never been so easy yet the youth of today need to be reminded more than ever of the sacrifices our countrymen made, in all wars but especially WW1 and 2. Without it they wouldn't lead the lifestyle the majority have today

I don't think it's just the youth of today though squarepants. I think it's much more than that.

When we had the referendum on Brexit I must be honest and say that I was really torn which way to vote at first. I felt the best option would have been to have negotiated a stronger deal for us and stayed in - but knowing that this was impossible I had to ponder the other alternatives. I had no doubt that in the short term (maybe even in the medium term, like over the next 5 years), leaving the EU would be bad for the country economically. It would be bad for business in general - and bad for me and my business. However, I voted to leave - and the reason why I voted to leave was because I felt that we were losing our sovereignty and the ability to govern and rule our own country. This was the reason all those soldiers gave their lives in the first place. To me it was a case of which do I value most? A more stable economy or respecting the reason that so many gave their lives so that we could live under our own rule. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make.

I work with a lot of professional business people and I've yet to hear anyone admit they voted to leave. They are all mostly still fuming about it and talking about how it will set the economy back years. One of my neighbours said to me that his company would lose £500k profit as a result of us leaving the EU. And do you know what I thought? GOOD! They can afford it.

I'm afraid we have lost sight of the reason why so many of our soldiers gave their lives - and it's not just the young generation either.

 

[RammyBlade]

I don't think it's just the youth of today though squarepants. I think it's much more than that.

When we had the referendum on Brexit I must be honest and say that I was really torn which way to vote at first. I felt the best option would have been to have negotiated a stronger deal for us and stayed in - but knowing that this was impossible I had to ponder the other alternatives. I had no doubt that in the short term (maybe even in the medium term, like over the next 5 years), leaving the EU would be bad for the country economically. It would be bad for business in general - and bad for me and my business. However, I voted to leave - and the reason why I voted to leave was because I felt that we were losing our sovereignty and the ability to govern and rule our own country. This was the reason all those soldiers gave their lives in the first place. To me it was a case of which do I value most? A more stable economy or respecting the reason that so many gave their lives so that we could live under our own rule. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make.

I work with a lot of professional business people and I've yet to hear anyone admit they voted to leave. They are all mostly still fuming about it and talking about how it will set the economy back years. One of my neighbours said to me that his company would lose £500k profit as a result of us leaving the EU. And do you know what I thought? GOOD! They can afford it.

I'm afraid we have lost sight of the reason why so many of our soldiers gave their lives - and it's not just the young generation either.

Very well said Cerebus - and I absolutely agree with you and like you the decision for me was about my relatives - 2 grandfathers in WW1 one who died and one who was gassed but survived and an Uncle in WW2 who gave their lives for our freedom and right to decide our own laws and destiny and in my heart I could not betray that.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I don't think it's just the youth of today though squarepants. I think it's much more than that.

When we had the referendum on Brexit I must be honest and say that I was really torn which way to vote at first. I felt the best option would have been to have negotiated a stronger deal for us and stayed in - but knowing that this was impossible I had to ponder the other alternatives. I had no doubt that in the short term (maybe even in the medium term, like over the next 5 years), leaving the EU would be bad for the country economically. It would be bad for business in general - and bad for me and my business. However, I voted to leave - and the reason why I voted to leave was because I felt that we were losing our sovereignty and the ability to govern and rule our own country. This was the reason all those soldiers gave their lives in the first place. To me it was a case of which do I value most? A more stable economy or respecting the reason that so many gave their lives so that we could live under our own rule. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make.

I work with a lot of professional business people and I've yet to hear anyone admit they voted to leave. They are all mostly still fuming about it and talking about how it will set the economy back years. One of my neighbours said to me that his company would lose £500k profit as a result of us leaving the EU. And do you know what I thought? GOOD! They can afford it.

I'm afraid we have lost sight of the reason why so many of our soldiers gave their lives - and it's not just the young generation either.

I'm with you on this and Brexit even though we are, apparently, stupid racist morons.

 

[Wapping Blade]

Do they even teach about the two World Wars in school these days. I know one school that teaches WWII from the perspective of how it affected German civilians without a mention of Allied forces heroism in fighting Fascism. And don't get me started on how we have been allowing spell check to teach our kids grammar, spelling and punctuation these days

Where have you got those views from? My daughters have both done WW1 (they "made" trenches last week) and the grammar, spelling and punctuation is such that many parents are against it as it is so rigorous.

 

[spongebobblade]

Do they even teach about the two World Wars in school these days. I know one school that teaches WWII from the perspective of how it affected German civilians without a mention of Allied forces heroism in fighting Fascism. And don't get me started on how we have been allowing spell check to teach our kids grammar, spelling and punctuation these days

In fairness BOS my mates lad not only learnt so much about the war they even had a three day trip to visit war graves etc. It's something he says he will never forget. It should be made compulsory in my opinion

 

[Hollinsend]

Do they even teach about the two World Wars in school these days. I know one school that teaches WWII from the perspective of how it affected German civilians without a mention of Allied forces heroism in fighting Fascism. And don't get me started on how we have been allowing spell check to teach our kids grammar, spelling and punctuation these days

Extract from sample paper, Key Stage 2 (age 11) Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling test 2016. National 'pass rate' = 72%

 

[spongebobblade]

I don't think it's just the youth of today though squarepants. I think it's much more than that.

When we had the referendum on Brexit I must be honest and say that I was really torn which way to vote at first. I felt the best option would have been to have negotiated a stronger deal for us and stayed in - but knowing that this was impossible I had to ponder the other alternatives. I had no doubt that in the short term (maybe even in the medium term, like over the next 5 years), leaving the EU would be bad for the country economically. It would be bad for business in general - and bad for me and my business. However, I voted to leave - and the reason why I voted to leave was because I felt that we were losing our sovereignty and the ability to govern and rule our own country. This was the reason all those soldiers gave their lives in the first place. To me it was a case of which do I value most? A more stable economy or respecting the reason that so many gave their lives so that we could live under our own rule. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make.

I work with a lot of professional business people and I've yet to hear anyone admit they voted to leave. They are all mostly still fuming about it and talking about how it will set the economy back years. One of my neighbours said to me that his company would lose £500k profit as a result of us leaving the EU. And do you know what I thought? GOOD! They can afford it.

I'm afraid we have lost sight of the reason why so many of our soldiers gave their lives - and it's not just the young generation either.

I'm all for building bridges and relations with other countries, helping each other where possible and having good trade links but Europe is a continent which we are all in, not a country which should be governed by one set of rules.
We are proud of our sovereignty and those who gave everything up for it to remain that way. For some money and greed counts for so much more though

 

[cahill]

My grandfather joined the Barnsley Pals and was killed at Serre where the Sheffield Memorial park is today. The whistle to go "over the top" was blown at 7-30am on the 1st July 1916 by 8-45am he was dead alongside hundreds of Sheffield, Accrington and Barnsley Pals. In total there were 60,000 casualties 30,000 of which were killed on that day in the Battle of the Somme.

My mother who was 3 at the time her father died never knew him.

I was there in June this year. It is overwhelming the sense of sadness in that area, cemeteries and memorials everywhere.

The French people do know what the British and its Commonwealth allies did for them

 

[cahill]

In fairness BOS my mates lad not only learnt so much about the war they even had a three day trip to visit war graves etc. It's something he says he will never forget. It should be made compulsory in my opinion

I would agree with that, it changed me and I was 62 when I visited. I'm still affected by the scale of the whole thing. There are some remarkable memorial sites in the Somme, not least the Thiepval Memorial to British and Commonwealth dead and the memorial to the Newfoundland soldiers, I'm getting emotional writing this, and I'm someone whose normally impervious to letting my emotions show

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I have a very good friend (and business associate) who visited Bruges and the war cemeteries a few years ago - a more hardbitten or cynical man you could not meet.

He found himself weeping openly after about ten minutes

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I would agree with that, it changed me and I was 62 when I visited. I'm still affected by the scale of the whole thing. There are some remarkable memorial sites in the Somme, not least the Thiepval Memorial to British and Commonwealth dead and the memorial to the Newfoundland soldiers, I'm getting emotional writing this, and I'm someone whose normally impervious to letting my emotions show

Know how you feel, mate, I'm the same

 

[DiggerBlade]

I visit the car specialists on Edmund road frequently which is situated in the old drill hall through the Edmund Rd archway entrance and I always imagine what those Sheffield pals thought as they went through their drill procedures before setting out for the camp at Redmires. The place may be full if modern day motors but the place is steeped in history regarding young men from Sheffield preparing for war. I get the same feelings when I walk up Pinstone street thinking that 100 years ago these streets were alive with marching soldiers some with smiles on their faces marching proudly as the Sheffield citizens waved and threw flowers to them.

We can never ever forget.

 

[maidmarion]

Visited the war graves of the Sheffield Pals.....also the war grave of my great, great uncle. The names and ages of these young men, who were sent to their deaths, is a very sobering sight.
May we never see this again.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Extract from sample paper, Key Stage 2 (age 11) Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling test 2016. National 'pass rate' = 72%

View attachment 20564

"however" and "should"

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

In fairness BOS my mates lad not only learnt so much about the war they even had a three day trip to visit war graves etc. It's something he says he will never forget. It should be made compulsory in my opinion

I agree - I went with De La Salle in the early 60's to the cemetery at Arras - incredibly moving. The National Memorial Aboretum in Staffordshire is also an incredibly moving place to visit. My father in law has his ashes scattered there.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Where have you got those views from? My daughters have both done WW1 (they "made" trenches last week) and the grammar, spelling and punctuation is such that many parents are against it as it is so rigorous.

I have these views from all aspects of media that I follow. You surely know what I'm talking about .

If parents are complaining that aspects of curriculum are too rigorous .. tough!

 

[BLADEBEER]

I visit the car specialists on Edmund road frequently which is situated in the old drill hall through the Edmund Rd archway entrance and I always imagine what those Sheffield pals thought as they went through their drill procedures before setting out for the camp at Redmires. The place may be full if modern day motors but the place is steeped in history regarding young men from Sheffield preparing for war. I get the same feelings when I walk up Pinstone street thinking that 100 years ago these streets were alive with marching soldiers some with smiles on their faces marching proudly as the Sheffield citizens waved and threw flowers to them.

We can never ever forget.

I too got a very sad feeling when I passed the drill hall,thinking that most of the men who passed through those old gates,left Sheffield very excited at going to France .Most of them had never been out of Sheffield let alone the country.Little did they know that they would never see home again or their families.
I had a great uncle killed by a sniper very near the end of the war,and my daughter has visited his grave and taken a photo of it .These poor blokes never saw their kids grow up or got to have the simple pleasures in life.How could we possibly repay the sacrifices they made.

 

[Lard_Lad]

I don't think it's just the youth of today though squarepants. I think it's much more than that.

When we had the referendum on Brexit I must be honest and say that I was really torn which way to vote at first. I felt the best option would have been to have negotiated a stronger deal for us and stayed in - but knowing that this was impossible I had to ponder the other alternatives. I had no doubt that in the short term (maybe even in the medium term, like over the next 5 years), leaving the EU would be bad for the country economically. It would be bad for business in general - and bad for me and my business. However, I voted to leave - and the reason why I voted to leave was because I felt that we were losing our sovereignty and the ability to govern and rule our own country. This was the reason all those soldiers gave their lives in the first place. To me it was a case of which do I value most? A more stable economy or respecting the reason that so many gave their lives so that we could live under our own rule. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make.

I work with a lot of professional business people and I've yet to hear anyone admit they voted to leave. They are all mostly still fuming about it and talking about how it will set the economy back years. One of my neighbours said to me that his company would lose £500k profit as a result of us leaving the EU. And do you know what I thought? GOOD! They can afford it.

I'm afraid we have lost sight of the reason why so many of our soldiers gave their lives - and it's not just the young generation either.

No offence but this doesn't make much sense, one of the main reasons the EU was established was to prevent any future wars between european nations.

 

[Cassius Kray]

However, I voted to leave - and the reason why I voted to leave was because I felt that we were losing our sovereignty and the ability to govern and rule our own country. This was the reason all those soldiers gave their lives in the first place. To me it was a case of which do I value most? A more stable economy or respecting the reason that so many gave their lives so that we could live under our own rule. In the end it was an easy decision for me to make.

I think it's incredibly crass of you to use the death of millions to further your own political agenda. Don't tell me that my family died for your cause.

I suggest you leave Remembrance Sunday as a time to reflect on the tragedy of war and show respect to the dead. Keep politics out of it.

 

[Isar]

No offence but this doesn't make much sense, one of the main reasons the EU was established was to prevent any future wars between european nations.

And yet the whole of the EU stood by and watched the former Yugslavia rip itself to bits. On the door steps of Europe genocide took place after 1990. EU is a nothing but a commercial tie.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslav_Wars

 

[Lard_Lad]

And yet the whole of the EU stood by and watched the former Yugslavia rip itself to bits. On the door steps of Europe genocide took place after 1990. EU is a nothing but a commercial tie.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslav_Wars

The EU's job isn't to engage in conflict, thats the job of NATO and UN, ofcoruse more than anything the EU was formed in order to boost economic trade between european nations, but a side effect of this was that it created interdependance between Member states, starting with the Coal and Steel Community, this meant that Germany were dependant on steel and coal industry (major factors of production for war) in other nations and war would not have been feasible.

 

[Isar]

The EU's job isn't to engage in conflict, thats the job of NATO and UN, ofcoruse more than anything the EU was formed in order to boost economic trade between european nations, but a side effect of this was that it created interdependance between Member states, starting with the Coal and Steel Community, this meant that Germany were dependant on steel and coal industry (major factors of production for war) in other nations and war would not have been feasible.

Your comment was "No offence but this doesn't make much sense, one of the main reasons the EU was established was to prevent any future wars between european nations."
Your next statement "The EU's job isn't to engage in conflict,"

I believe the main objective of the EU, that was formed in the 70's is to allow trade, or unrestricted trade though the member states.

But I do get your point, that in an ideal world, with common links, the chance of another conflict would be reduced.

 

[Wapping Blade]

I have these views from all aspects of media that I follow. You surely know what I'm talking about .

If parents are complaining that aspects of curriculum are too rigorous .. tough!

No, I genuinely do not know what you are talking about, from experience at the "sharp end", not from "media".