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Welcome to the '8th East Lancs' website.

The 8^th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was, in some ways, an unremarkable unit of the British Expeditionary Force.

Although raised at the same times as the ‘Pals’ movement swept the country, the 8^th Battalion was not one of those flamboyant creations but rather one which required men not only from different parts of Lancashire, but also from several different regiments, to bring it to establishment.

From the beginning, Christopher Boardman and myself have dedicated ourselves to uncovering more about the battalion in which our relatives fought. This site serves mainly to explain about the 8th East Lancs and act as a contact point with those who would like to know more about the unit, be they relatives of soldiers, those interested in Lancashire history or in the Great War in general.

Through this process, we have learned much also about the activities of 37th Division and we may be able to help those with an interest there too. We are not experts, but are willing to help where we can.

News

The site will be updated regularly and the pictures changed, especially this page and the one titled Now and Then.

For more information we can be contacted at:

dstephenbarker@hotmail.com

Stephen Barker updated 30th September 2008.

Forgotten Places.

The platforms at Ludgershall from which the 8th East Lancs departed for France on 30-31 August 1915.

'Lancashire's Forgotten Heroes'

Click here to pre-order a copy of this new history of the 8th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment during the Great War.

by Stephen Barker & Christopher Boardman.

Due for publication in the Autumn by The History Press.

Unpublished trench photos.
Unique mapping.
Original, unused sources.
Interpretation of battles.
Comprehensive narrative.
Pen portraits and images of individual soldiers.
Foreward by Dr Bill Mitchinson of Birmingham University, Great War Studies Department.

_______________________

Find out about the origins of the men who made up the battalion in its early days.
Follow the lives of some of the men who served in the unit.
Discover why the battalion went to France ahead of schedule in 1915.
Learn about the real reason for the failure of the attack on Pozieres in July 1916.
Read about the loss of ten officers to 'friendly-fire' on the Redan Ridge.
Follow the men through their attack in the snow, alongside tanks and cavalry at Monchy-le-Preux, Arras in 1917.
Find out about the battalion's role at Passchendaele.

8th East Lancs

War Diary.

On these days 91 years ago.

8th October 1917

During 5th to 11th of October 1917, the battalion were in the front line opposite to Gheluvelt, next to the Menin Road, in the Ypres sector. The battalion was down to approximately 200 men who had a difficult time.

S.O.S. goes up on the left Divisional front. Artillery reply promptly. Inter Company relief. "C" Company relieving "B" Company on the Left. "D" Coy relieving "A" on the right. Captain Jarintzoff MC killed by a sniper. Rations arrive at 5am. Carrying Party delayed by heavy barrage - Dunbarton Wood. Battalion HQ and area shelled by the enemy from 11pm to 4am. trenches very muddy owing to the rain Heavy work repairing and cleaning up daily. Battalion received orders to take part in the attack on the morning of the 9th and to establish posts on the edge of a small wood at J.21.c.98.70. "D" Coy ordered to carry out operations.

           27th October 1917

By the end of 1917, the British Government was holding back troops from duty in Flanders for fear of the continuation of the heavy losses sustained during the Passchendaele Campaign.  Reinforcements for the 8th had to be found from elsewhere.

In Camp. Draft of 108 arrive from Brigade School. ASC (Army Service Corps) and AVC (Army Veterinary Corps) transferred to the infantry. Posted to Companies after inspection by CO.

8th East Lancs

Dedicated to the men of the 8th (Service) Battalion,

East Lancashire Regiment in the Great War.