Private Arthur Cheetham
 

One for Retlaw!
There's a signed "special" copy of Bill Turner's book together with a letter from Bill for sale on eBay. I can't find any record of Arthur Cheetham on the Pals' website.

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

It would be easier for others if you posted the link to the actual page on ebay rather than than just the ebay home page.

I have searched for Bill Turner with no luck and have no idea what Private Arthur Cheetham has to do with this - his name returned no results either.

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

Yep changing the Bill to William did the trick. Still don't know why this thread is called Private Arthur Cheetham.

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

Don't worry about, it Balbus will be back, with more on the subject, after a fruitless search on the internet.
Retlaw

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

Because it's a query about him!
Little info on Google. He was involved in the battle for the village of Ayette on March 27th 1918 when the Pals (2nd Lt Horsfall) won their only VC.
He died in 1989 with a bullet still in his chest from the battle.
Bill Turner interviewed him about the battle, for the Observer, in 1986.

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

I know all that, I have a picture of him on the display at the Haworth Art Gallery but whats the query.
Just one small thing the Accrington Pals were NOT at Ayette, the 11th Battalion East Lancs was.
After July 1st 1916 they were no longer Accrington Pals, less than 100 of the fighting strength of the battalion, walked off the battle field, when they were withdrawn at midnight 4/5th July 1916. The battalion was eventually restored to its full compliment by December 1916

Retlaw

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

In the Observer article, Bill Turner refers to the Pals being at Ayette. I quoted from his article. He doesn't seem to have drawn the same distinction as you.
You've answered my query - Arthur Cheetham, like 2/Lt Horsfall, was not an original Accrington Pal.

Re: Private Arthur Cheetham
 

Bill Turner could not have written a book about the Accrington Pals, for it to cease on July 5th 1916, of course he made the same distinction as I have, we worked together on the men of the 11th East Lancs since his book was first published.
But he was writing a book, so he had to keep refering to them as the Accrington Pals although by Nov 11th 1918 there were less that 50 of the original Pals still serving in the 11th East Lancs.
When the jerries started their big push in March 1918, by the end of April the 11th Battation, had near as many casualties as they did on July 1st 1916.
On mens attestation papers, those who were original Pals, had Accrington Battalion written on them, those who joined later just had East Lancs.
Retlaw.