The Accrington Pals

Peter Whelan’s 1981 play The Accrington Pals recounts the story of the 11th (Service) Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment, focusing on the roughly 700 local volunteers from Accrington who enlisted during World War I. The narrative contrasts the harsh realities of the Western Front with the lives of the women left at home.

The drama centers on a small market town, primarily revolving around the greengrocer stall of an independent, hard-working woman named May, and her young cousin and lodger, Tom. As the initial wave of national optimism and jingoism takes hold, Tom and his best friend Ralph enlist as “Pals,” marching off to war alongside neighbours and workmates.