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12th (Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
York and Lancaster Regiment, 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, known as The Sheffield Pals was raised on the 10th September 1914 with almost 1000 volunteers being recruited in the first two days. Training began at drill took place at Bramhall Lane, home of Sheffield United Cricket and Football Club, the activities did nothing for the quality of the pitch and on Saturday 5th December 1914 the battalion left Sheffield for Redmires Camp, a few miles west of the city. The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division. They also trained at Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.
In December 1915 The Sheffield Pals boarded HMT Nestor at Devonport and set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. The ship arrived in Alexandria on 1st January 1916 thus all the men of the division missed qualification for the 1914-15 Star by one day.
The expected Turkishh invasion did not appear and in March 1916 The Sheffield Pals and the rest of 31 Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France,a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.
18 days after arriving in France The Sheffield Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.
1st Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion to be raised At the end of a lecture on the war at the Victoria Hall in Sheffield, the University Vice Chancellor Mr H.A.L. Fisher announced that formal War Office approval was expected to be given for the formation of the Sheffield City Battalion and that enrolment of volunteers would begin on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Town Hall. The idea of the battalion had been proposed by two students of Sheffield University and had approached Mr Fisher who had taken up the cause. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
2nd Sep 1914 Crowds gather in Sheffield A large crowd gathered outside the Town Hall in Sheffield as volunteers entered the Lord Mayor's Chambers to complete their form declaring their willingness to enlist in the new Sheffield City Battalion.
A contingent from the University Officer Training Corps marched from the University to the Town Hall in a column of fours to enrol. Once they had done so they marched out of the building and formally disbanded the OTC for the duration of the war. Once dismissed the men took it upon themselves to persuade passers by to enrol. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
10th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion formed Official enlistment of men for the Sheffield City Battalion and the recruiting office opened at The Corn Exchange in Sheaf Street. Those who had already volunteered were sent a postcard asking them to report. Forty volunteer clerks filled in the paperwork and each man underwent a medical to check he met the minimum size requirements for the army and was generally in good health. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
14th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion hold first parade The first parade of the newly formed Sheffield City Battalion is held at Norfolk Barracks, Edmond Road, the Drill Hall of the West Riding Territorial Force. The men were organised into Companies, platoons and sections. They were inspected by their CO Col Hughes and the Lord Mayor then listened to speeches from the gallery by the Lord Mayor, Mr Fisher of the University and Col Hughes who declared them a wonderful looking crowd. The men were dismissed to return to their own homes or lodgings for the night as there was no accommodation available for the new battalion en-mass.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
15th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion begin training Training begins for the Sheffield City Battalion, the larger part of the formation marched from Norfolk Barracks to Bramhall Lane Football Ground, with smaller contingents going to areas of waste ground on Edmund Road nad Queens Road to learn the basics of drill from the few men who had previous experience as soldiers. Drill instruction was undertaken for six hours under hot sun, much to the detriment of the turf on the football pitch.Norfolk Park is also used as a training area for field craft and tactical training with trenches being dug. Potential Officers and NCO's were identified and the those with previous military service were appointed to the key positions of Company Serjeant Majors. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
6th Oct 1914 Men measured for uniforms The men of the newly formed Sheffield City Battalion are measured for uniforms which will be supplied to them. Officers have to pay for their own uniforms and local tailors are engaged in making them. Lee-Metford Rifles begin to arrive to supplement the 23 rifles and single machine gun on loan from Vickers. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
10th Oct 1914 New CO
15th Oct 1914 Sheffield City Battalion on route march The men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertake their first route march, on this wet and misty day. The route was from their training grounds in the city to Redmires, where their hutted camp is under construction. They drilled on the flat ground which will be their parade ground in the camp, were served sandwiches and tea for lunch then marched back to Sheffield.
16th Nov 1914 First uniforms arrived for men of Sheffield City Battalion The first uniforms arrive for the men of the Sheffield City Battalion, not the expected field service khaki but a shade of blue-grey accompanied by a glengarry hat with red piping. A shortage of khaki dye, which pre-war had been supplied from Germany, is the reason for the issue of temporary blue uniforms for new recruits. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
8th Nov 1914 First Church parade for Sheffield City Battalion Sheffield City Battalion hold their first Church Parade in the city. Six hundred and fifty men marched from Edmound Road to St Mary's church accompanied by the Dannemora Steel Works Band who played a selection of military tunes including 'Boys of the Old Brigade'. The battalion marched back to the Drill hall in Edmund road via St Mary's Road, Hereford Street, The Moor, High Street and Commercial Street. At the drill hall, a union flag which had been draped over the altar in the church was presented to the Battalion by the MP Mr Samuel Roberts.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
9th Nov 1914 Gen Plumer inspects Sheffield City Battalion General H. Plumer, GOC Northern Command inspected the Sheffield City Battalion and remarked on the rapid progress being made in training.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
26th Nov 1914 Mr Samuel Roberts Mp hosts Battalion supper At the Drill Hall in Edmund Road, Mr Samuel Roberts MP hosted a supper for the Sheffield City Battalion who are due to leave the city for their new training camp.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
5th Dec 1914 Sheffield City Battalion march to Redmires camp In heavy rain and strong winds, Sheffield City Battalion march from the city to take up residence in the barely completed Redmires Camp. They left the Drill Hall in Edmund Road, with CO on horse back and the battalion band at the head of the column. They marched via Glossop Road to Broomhall and to the camp via Crosshall. The rain turned to sleet and snow as they climbed the hills. The camp was already a familiar place as the battalion had provided nightly work parties for the last weeks of November to assist with completing the huts and bad weather had delayed their arrival from the intended move date of the 1st of December. Some of the huts were still lacking windows when the men moved in and the first night was stormy, icy cold and few men got much sleep. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
6th Dec 1914 Sheffield City Battalion at Redmires Camp The men of the Sheffield City Battalion are engaged in making their new camp habitable, completing the work to be done on the huts and quarrying stone to create paths and roadways. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
1st Jan 1915 Sheffield City Battalion abandon route march The first route march of the new year for the Sheffield City Battalion is cut short by a violent storm. The men returned swiftly to Redmires Camp and later an illustrated a lecture was given by Capt. Hoette on his experiences during the South African War. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
13th Jan 1915 Brig Gen Bowles visist Redmires Camp Brigadier General Bowles visits Redmires Camp and observed the men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertaking musketry practice and simulated attacks.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
26th Jan 1915 Gen. Gainsford visits Redmires Camp General Gainsford and Brigadier General Bowles visit Redmires Camp. They observed the men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertaking drill on the parade ground and physical training. They also visited Quarry Hill a short distance from the camp where two platoons from B Company were engaged in digging trenches.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
12th Feb 1915 Sheffield City Battalion line route to funeral A Coy, Sheffield City Battalion provided 100 men to line the route to the Cathedral for the funeral of Pte. C.H. Hanforth who had died of pneumonia on the 8th of February. He was laid to rest at Fulwood Church with full military honours. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
22nd Apr 1915 Sheffield City Battalion vs 15th Sherwoods Sheffield City Battalion's soccer eleven played a match against the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and won the game by six goals to nil. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
29th Apr 1915 Sports Day at Redmires A sports day held at Redmires Camp was a huge success with over ten thousand spectators watching as over 1000 men took part in a range of sporting events. Men from the Sheffield City Battalion, the Barnsley Battalion and 15th Sherwood Foresters took part in heats throughout the mornings, with the finals being held in the afternoon. A Five mile steeple chase was run on a route around the Redmires reservoirs finishing on the parade ground. Most of the events were won by men from the Sheffield Battalion, their superior fitness being attributed to the harsh hilly environment in which they are training. A Company won the tug of war, the football competition and 16 Platoon were victorious in the Inter-Platoon Mile, winning in a time of Seven minutes 45 seconds, each man in full fighting order carrying 50lbs including their rifles. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
11th May 1915 Advance party leave Redmires An advance party of 100 men of the Sheffield City Battalion under Capt. Hoette left Redmires Camp and marched to Sheffield Middle station to entrain for Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase. They were joined at the station by parties from the 13th and 14th (Barnsley) Battalions and seen off by Brigadier Gen. Bowles.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
13th May 1915 Sheffield City Battalion leave Redmires The Sheffield City Battalion marched out of Redmires Camp at 6.15am, some hours earlier than originally planned, due to railway timetabling, much to the disappointment of the city officials how had planned a huge fairwell for them. Never the less huge numbers turned out to see them off.
As they marched into Manchester Road they were joined by the bands of the Sheffield Engineers and the Hallamshires. They were joined by their mothers, wives and girlfriends as they marched through the streets in a relaxed formation. The Battalion formed up outside the Town Hall surrounded by a crowd of over 5000 to hear farewell speeches from the Lord Mayor and his deputy. The CO called for three cheers and the battalion marched along Fargate and High Street to the Midland Station where they departed for Rugeley on board two trains at 8.25 and 9.50 am. On arrival in mid afternoon, they marched from Rugeley up the hill to Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase, to find their new home 'half finished and very cold'. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
Jul 1915 15th BTn Yorks & Lancs Formed 15th (Reserve) Battalion is formed at Silkstone Camp in July 1915 from depot companies of 12th, 13th and 14th Battalions.
30th Jul 1915 Sheffield City Battalion leave Cannock Chase The Sheffield City Battalion undertook a 16 mile route march cross country under the blazing sun with full packs, taking six hours to complete the course. 80men suffered exhaustion and failed to complete the route. On return to Penkridge Bank Camp, they had two hours to pack up and have their meal. They then marched four miles to Rugeley station and boarded trains for the 4th Army Training Centre at South Camp, Ripon.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
31st Jul 1915 12th York & Lancs arrive at Ripon The Sheffield City Battalion arrived at Ripon in the early hours and the men marched to South Camp on the Harrogate Road and spent the day unloading stores and settling into the camp. The training at Ripon was mainly in musketry, but before it could begin, the men had to construct a rifle range
27th Aug 1915 Visit Mr Samuel Roberts MP visits Sheffield City Battalion at Ripon camp.
10th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion hold anniversary concert On the anniversary of the formation on the Sheffield City Battalion, a concert was held. It was arranged by the Padre, Capt. J.F.Colquhoun with many of the officers and men performing.It ended with a short speech from the CO.
25th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion depart Ripon The 12th York and Lancs Battalion leave Ripon Camp late at night, they march through pouring rain to the station and entrain for an eleven hour journey to Salisbury.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
26th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion arrive at Hurcott Camp The 12th York and Lancs Battalion arrive at Hurcott Camp for their final training before deployment to the front. Col Mainwaring stood down as CO being replaced by Lt.Col. J.A. Crosthwaite.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
8th November 1915 Orders
16th Nov 1915 Sheffield City Battalion move to Larkhill The 12th York and Lancs Battalion move from Hurcott Camp to Larkhill for parts 3 and 4 of the Musketry course. Each man was issued with his own SMLE Rifle and the course included firing from trenches as well as on the traditional ranges. A few days after arriving at Larkhill an order was received to prepare to proceed to France.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
30th Nov 1915 Half of Sheffield City Battalion complete musketry course With the musketry course at Larkhill completed, the Sheffield City Battalion marched to Hurcott Camp.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
2nd Dec 1915 Half of Sheffield City Battalion on leave The War Diary of the Sheffield City Battalion records that the order to prepare to proceed to France has been withdrawn and half the battalion was given leave, until late evening on the 3rd. The other half was on leave from the morning of the 4th until late evening on the 5th.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
5th Dec 1915 12th York & Lancs ordered to Egypt Orders arrive for the Sheffield City Battalion to prepare to move to Egypt and tropical kit was issued.Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
20th Dec 1915 A & B Coys 12th York & Lancs leave Hurcott Camp A & B Coys, Sheffield City Battalion marched out of Hurcott Camp and entrained for Devonport at Salisbury Station, the train left at 5am. C & D Coys marched out of the camp at 2.30am with their train leaving at 6.25am. The Battalion transport left the camp at 5pm.
The trains were shunted onto the dockside at Keyham Docks and the majority of the Battalion boarded the SS Nestor. A small party from the Battalion transport boarded HMT Malakoota to travel with the Divisional Artillery. Sheffield City Battalion - Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
9th February 1916 Call Ups
1st Mar 1916 B Coy Return to Camp
7th Mar 1916 Camp Struck
8th Mar 1916 12th York & Lancs on the March
9th Mar 1916 Orders to Embark
10th Mar 1916 Embarkation
15th Mar 1916 Arrival in France
16th Mar 1916 Battalions Entrain
18th Mar 1916 On the Move
23rd Mar 1916 Training
26th Mar 1916 12th Y&Ls on the March
27th Mar 1916 Trench Instruction
28th Mar 1916 On the March
29th Mar 1916 On the March
2nd Apr 1916 On the March
3rd Apr 1916 Into the Trenches 
4th Apr 1916 Relief Completed
3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs At 8pm 18th DLI vacated trenches east of Auchonvilliers being relieved by 12th Yorks & Lancs and returned to billets at Beaussart.The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1
1st Jul 1916 Attack Made
1st Jul 1916 In Action
1st Jul 1916 Attack Made
2nd Jul 1916 Machine Guns Active
27th July 1916 The Toll of War
25th July 1916 From the desert to France
18th Jan 1917 Court of Inquiry
18th June 1917 Operational Order 128
19th July 1917 Diary
26th July 1917 Diary
26th July 1917 Diary
13th. August 1917 Orders
22nd. August 1917 Diary
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These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with12th (Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Bisatt George Noel. A/Capt.
- Bland Ernest. L/Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Booth H.. Pte.
- Cundliffe C. H.. Sgt. (d.1st July 1916)
- Curwen Edward Stanley. L/Cpl. (d.1st July 1916)
- Haddock James A.. Pte. (d.16th Sep 1916)
- Lavender Wilfred Harris. Sgt. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Levick Albert. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
- Marshall Charles. L/Cpl. (d.10th Oct 1917)
- Marshall Hugh. Pte. (d.17th March 1916)
- Mitchell John Thomas. Pte (d.28th December 1916)
- Peacock William Stephens. Pte.
- Platt Herbert. Pte. (d.4th May 1917)
- Robinson Jesse Richard. L/Cpl.
- Wholey H.. Pte.
- Wilson Fred Brookfield. 2nd Lt. (d.7th August 1917)
- Wilson Hector A.. Pte. (d.10th September 1916)
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please Add a Name to this List
Records of 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment from other sources.
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Sgt. Wilfred Harris Lavender 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916)  Wilfred Harris Lavender, known as Billy, was born in Penistone on the 16th November 1893 and baptised in St John’s Church on the 22nd December. He lived with his family on Sheffield Road, Penistone but later moved to Grimesthorpe road, Sheffield. His Father worked at Atlas Steelworks. On 21st August 1912, aged 18, Billy took on a Sheffield University apprenticeship, becoming a student teacher at Sheffield Central School.
Billy signed up with three of his brothers on 11th September 1914, the second day of enlistment for the Sheffield Pals. He was promoted to Corporal 17 days later. After arriving at Penkridge, Billy was promoted again to Lance-Sergeant on the 11th May 1915 and finally to Sergeant on the 27th July 1915. Like the rest of the battalion, Billy went to Egypt and didn’t get to France until March 1916.
On 10th April 1916, whilst on active service, Billy failed to salute the Brigadier, General Carter Campbell. This was disobedience of general orders and he was severely reprimanded.
Billy was killed on the 1st July 1916 on the first day of the Somme offensive. His body was never recovered and could still be there today. He is named on the Thiepval Memorial for the missing.
His brother John Eliott Lavender (known as Jack) was killed at the Battle of Arleux on the 28th April 1917 and is named on the Arras Memorial.
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A/Capt. George Noel Bisatt 6th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment My great uncle George Bisatt, from Fishlake in Yorkshire was a railway clerk living in Sheffield when war broke out. He joined the 12th Yorks and Lancaster Regiment, The Sheffield Pals and served on The Somme. He was commissioned into the 6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, in June 1917 and saw action in the Third Battle of Ypres. He was the battalion Adjutant in 1918. Does anyone have any information or a photo of of him? At the end of the war he led the party who returned to Bradford to collect the colours, does anyone have a clear copy of the photo of the handing over ceremony, as printed in the History of the 6th Battalion?
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L/Cpl. Ernest Bland 12th Btn. York & Lancashire Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916) Ernest Bland served with the 12th York & Lancashire Regiment. I recently purchased his memorial plaque.
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Pte. William Stephens Peacock 15th Btn. Yorks & Lancaster Regiment William Peacock served with the 15th Btn. Yorks & Lancaster Regiment, he transferred in from the 12th Battalion, Sheffield Pals.
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Pte. Hector A. Wilson 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th September 1916) Serving with the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, Hector Wilson was killed in action on 10th September 1916. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. Hector has no known grave.
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2nd Lt. Fred Brookfield Wilson 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.7th August 1917) Fred Wilson served with the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on 7th August 1917 and is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
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Pte. Hugh Marshall 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.17th March 1916) Private Hugh Marshall saw service during WWI in Egypt with the 12th battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. He died on 17th March 1916, aged 23. Hugh is buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
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L/Cpl. Edward Stanley Curwen 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916) Edward Curwen was killed in action on 1st July 1916 while serving with the 12th Battalion, York and Lancashire Regiment. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and has no known grave.
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Sgt. C. H. Cundliffe 12th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.1st July 1916) Sgt Cundliffe served with the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. On 1st July 1916 he was killed in action. He is buried at Railway Hollow Cemetery, Hebuterne.
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L/Cpl. Charles Marshall 9th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.10th Oct 1917) Charles Marshall was the son of Mrs. Mary A. Marshall of 160 Broomspring Lane, Sheffield.
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Pte. H. Wholey 12th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment Pte. H Wholey served with the 12th (City of Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.
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Pte. H. Booth 12th Btn. York & Lancaster Regiment Pte. H. Booth served with the Sheffield City 12th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment
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Pte. James A. Haddock 12th Btn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment (d.16th Sep 1916) James Haddock served with the 12th Battalion, Yorks & Lancs Regiment. He was executed for desertion on 16th September 1916 aged 32 and is buried in Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, France.
He was the son of Edwin Haddock, of 21, Ranskill Rd., Tinsley Park, Sheffield.
Julian Putkowski, and Julian Sykes in their book state that James was a regular soldier, possibly a reservist at the beginning of the war, who had been recalled to the colours and arrived in France on 9th September 1914. James was originally posted to the 2nd Battalion but was transferred to the Sheffield City Battalion (12th Yorks. and Lancs.). At the time of his posting to the trenches on the Somme, he was already on a twenty year (later reduced to five years) suspended sentence for a previous offence of desertion. Despite this he left again on his way up to the trenches on 30th June 1916, the day before Somme Offensive of 1st July 1916. He went into hiding but was discovered five days later on 5th July by Military Police, seven miles from the Battalions trenches
At the subsequent Field Court Martial held on 24th August 1916, James defence was that he was suffering with his feet and the medical officer had told him to rest. He had got lost trying to find transport and when he was apprehended, he was actually looking for the police to ask for directions. To say that this was a flimsy defence is something of an overstatement. His orders at the time of his desertion were to follow his colleagues into the trenches - James did not - he went missing for five days and when found, he was hiding in a civilian wagon without either his equipment or rifle. He had made no attempt whatsoever to rejoin his colleagues.
But the most crucial element to the case was his past Army service record. Since arriving in France, he had deserted seven times as well as being charged with being drunk on active service and refusing to obey an order. He was already under a suspended sentence of five years that had been passed by a FGCM as recently as April 1916. The verdict of the Court Martial was inevitable - James was sentenced to death by firing squad. The Court Martial had no discretion on this matter but did add a recommendation for mercy. The verdict was then passed up the chain of command and the sentence was endorsed at every level. The recommendation for mercy was not a factor. It finally reached the Commander in Chief of the British army in France General Douglas Haig on 12th September 1916 who confirmed the verdict and sentence of the FGCM
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Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
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Sheffield City Battalion Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield
On the 10th September 1914 the City of Sheffield officially raised its own battalion, named the 12th (Service) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Sheffield City Battalion). Just three and half years later in February 1918, the Battalion was disbanded, never to be reformed. In this short space of time over 3,000 men passed through the ranks of the City Battalion. Of these almost 700 were killed or died of their wounds, and over 500 were commissioned.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.
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