The First Birmingham Battalion in the Great War 1914-1919

A very good Great War Battalion history: the 1st Birmingham Pals Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. They proceeded to France on 21 November 1915. In December 1915, they transferred to 13th Brigade, 5th Division. In March 1916, 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent-Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubert and remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. In September 1917, 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest, before being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with halting the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. They then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918. They saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.