Why would anyone go to war? Pals battalions

Question 1

What was a pals battalion?

Answer 1

A group of friends or work colleagues who joined the army to fight together

Question 2

Why were pals battalions popular?

Answer 2

Men would get to join up and fight alongside their friends

Question 3

Give three examples of pals battalions

Answer 3

Any from:

• The Footballers Battalion
• The Stockbrokers Battalion
• The Post Office Rifles
• The Leeds Pals
• The Accrington Pals

Question 4

In the first three hours of recruiting in Accrington, how many men had joined up?

Answer 4

104

Question 5

What was the fatal flaw of the pals battalion scheme?

Answer 5

If a pals battalion suffered heavy losses, it could devastate a community

Question 6

Which battle was especially devastating for the Accrington Pals and Leeds Pals?

Answer 6

The Battle of the Somme

Question 7

How many of the Leeds Pals died in the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 7

750 of 900

Question 8

What percentage of the Leeds Pals died in the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 8

83%

Question 9

How many of the Accrington Pals died during the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 9

584 of 720

Question 10

What percentage of the Accrington Pals were killed in the Battle of the Somme?

Answer 10

81%

Question 11

What did Jeremy Paxman say about the loss of life as a result of pals battalions?

Answer 11

That the “loss of life was fearsomely concentrated”