Author Topic: MA Dissertation at the University of Manchester - MCR pals battalions  (Read 3798 times)

willpeilober

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Hi Peiple,

I’m new to this so I thought I’d introduce myself.

My name is Will, a MA History Student and the University of Manchester, and I’m from Sale, Manchester.

My dissertation is on the Manchester Regiment: the first city battallion (16th regiment), though I may expand this to further battalions in order to write enough for a masters dissertation (15,000) words.

My first chapter is on recruitment; as the pals battalions were forming I am looking at how places of work, social clubs, pubs, sports clubs etc all contributed to forming the pals battalions prior to conscription.

Can anyone point me to the right direction in terms of sources or any ideas ?

Kind Regards,

Will

Offline Tim Bell

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Re: MA Dissertation at the University of Manchester - MCR pals battalions
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2018, 06:43:40 PM »
Hi Will,
Welcome to the forum.  You've picked a strong subject that is familiar with many forum members.
As a start, have a look at the 16th (1st City or Pals) Bttn History on the main site http://www.themanchesters.org/16th%20batt.htm
There's a bit more detail on 17th Bttn, which was formed a day after http://www.themanchesters.org/17th%20batt.htm
A good book in your local library to start you off is https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Sixteenth_Seventeenth_Eighteenth_Ninetee.html?id=ZnUZAAAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y
I also think Michael Stedman's book is great. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=62jrngEACAAJ&dq=stedman+manchester+regiment&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRv7iF8-TZAhVlIcAKHaKtANoQ6AEIKTAA
I could go on  with many more resources....
The 1st City Battalion was initially formed almost exclusively by Clerks & Warehouseman from the City, mainly from the larger businesses of Manchester.  Broadly, these men were not pre-war members of the Territorial Army and had felt uncomfortable to join the original Kitchener Service Battalions.  They weren't (yet) acceptable for commissions (with many exceptions) and most enlisted before the Public Schools Battalion was formed - or they may not have been accepted. 
Let us know if you need other resources or you have other questions.  Keep us posted.
Tim
Following one Platoon and everything around them....
http://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/about/

sphinx

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Re: MA Dissertation at the University of Manchester - MCR pals battalions
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2018, 11:42:54 AM »
The Manchester papers of the time were full of Recruiting Notices and information, you definately need to see those also.

regards

willpeilober

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Re: MA Dissertation at the University of Manchester - MCR pals battalions
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2018, 12:23:02 PM »
Thanks for your help so far people. You've pointed me in the right direction! The dissertation is due in September so the early work starts now. The second chapter just to let you know is on the experiences of the 16th/17th (1st and 2nd city battalions) experiences in the Somme, and the third chapter will be the return of the soldiers, or those who didn't return and what happened to them. Cheers!

sphinx

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Re: MA Dissertation at the University of Manchester - MCR pals battalions
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2018, 12:38:52 PM »
Seems a mighty task for just 15,000 words???

Good luck.

regards

Offline Tim Bell

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Re: MA Dissertation at the University of Manchester - MCR pals battalions
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2018, 02:56:16 PM »
The last chapter is a bit of a challenge, because there's not much recorded about the specific men who returned -other than personal anecdotes.  The wider social/ political issues for the returning soldiers is a thesis on its own.  At least you'll find books about it.
Following one Platoon and everything around them....
http://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/about/