F Kempster

Manchester City Battalions of the 90th & 91st Infantry Brigades Book of Honour F Kempster

One of Britain's major cities, and the cradle of the industrial revolution, Manchester's contribution to the nation's effort in the Great War was enormous. This huge reference volume, originally published in 1916, offers ample testimony to the 'City Battalions' (referred to elsewhere in Lancashire as 'Pals' Battalions). The units commemorated here are the 23 battalions of the Manchester Regiment itself comprising some 11,000 names. They are arranged in descending order by battalion, company and platoon - and each platoon is accompanied by a group photograph. The Roll of Honour of volunteers include the Manchester Corporation; the Ship Canal, and scores of Manchester firms. As the local magnate the Earl of Derby wrote in the book's foreword: "Manchester has every reason to be proud of its sons".