Salford was late in recruiting for its Pals battalions, with many of its men already joining Territorial units and a new Pals battalion in Manchester. Yet within a year it had raised four Pals battalions and a reserve battalion. Raised mainly from Lancashire's most notorious slums, the men trained together in Wales, North East England and on Salisbury Plain, they had great expectations of success. On the 1st of July 1916 the Somme offensive was launched and in the very epicentre of that cauldron the first three of Salford's battalions were thrown at the massive defences of Thiepval - the men were decimated, Salford was shattered. Michael Stedman records the impact of the war from the start on Salford and follows the difficulties and triumphs. Whether the actions small or great the author writes graphically about them all. Unusual photographs and a variety of sources make this both a readable and a scholarly account. * TV Tie-In, concides with a major BBC1 Documentary by the author of Salford Pals * Will appeal to military and family enthusiasts interested in Salford's rich local history. Michael Stedman was born in Salford, from the 70' to the 90's he taught history and economics in Schools nearby stockport. His interest in the history of the Salford and Manchester Pals developed after many visits to the battlefields with students and colleagues. Synopsis Records the impact of the war from the start on Salford and follows the difficulties and triumphs. Whether the actions are small or great, the author writes about them all. 9.3 x 6.7"
