The Accrington Pals were commemorated at a special event hosted at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium on Remembrance Sunday.
A feature-length documentary showcasing the story of the Pals was screened in Stanley’s 1968 Lounge, following a memorial service, which took place at the club’s Accrington Pals Memorial Garden and saw wreaths laid by club sponsors and local business leaders.
Colin Spencer, the grandson of the last surviving Accrington Pal, Will Marshall, was in attendance for the documentary screening. Will passed away in 1993, at the age of 101.
The documentary was produced by Rory MacColl, the grandson of Lt. Col. Arthur Rickman, who commanded the Accrington Pals from 1915 until the end of the Great War. The documentary, titled ‘The Men Are A Good Deal Rattled’, explores Arthur’s role as commandant in the Pals, telling the story of the battalion during WWI.
Sadly, Rory recently passed away, but the event was attended by Rory’s sister and granddaughter of Lt.Col. Arthur Rickman, Lady Alexandra Winnington.
Also in attendance at the event was Ian McGuinness from the East Lancashire Concert Band, whose music was featured in the documentary. Formerly known as the Accrington Old Band, they also led the Pals recruits march past Accrington Town Hall in September 1914.
Mr McGuinness opened the event by introducing the documentary, before visitors got to enjoy the feature-length screening in the surroundings of Accrington Stanley’s world-class hospitality facility. Pie and peas was also served to those attending ahead of the film
Peter Leatham, Chair of the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust, said: “From the memorial service in the Accrington Pals Memorial Garden, to the screening in the 1968 Lounge, we have been proud as a club to remember and pay our respects, with the Pals Documentary a fitting tribute.”
Karen Gettins, Events Manager at Accrington Stanley, said: “It has been a real honour for Accrington Stanley Football Club to host this commemorative event.
“The Accrington Pals are a huge part of the town’s history, and it has been wonderful to pay our respects here at the Wham Stadium on Remembrance Sunday.”
Ian McGuinness, who is a key figure in the music used in the documentary, said: “It has been an enjoyable day and one that will live long in the memory.
“It has been wonderful to welcome the grandson of the last surviving Accrington Pal, as well as the sister of the late Rory MacColl, who did a tremendous job in producing the documentary.”
Lady Alexandra Winnington added, “I was very excited to hear that the documentary was being shown at the Accrington Stanley football stadium. I felt that I had to cancel all my own arrangements and make sure I was here today, because I knew it would be a great experience and I’ve enjoyed also coming up and visiting the town for the commemoration of the Accrington Pals.
“My grandfather was Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Rickman, and as the film is about the Pals and a great deal also for us about our grandfather, it’s been wonderful to see it in this fantastic venue, which I’m very impressed by. I’ve had a wonderful time here with the people of Accrington, remembering the Accrington Pals, and on the strength of that, I’ve actually booked tickets for an Accrington Stanley match in Wimbledon for my son and I, because it’s really nice to be a part of it.”
