Chorley Pal Was A Magpie Too!

Following on from the unveiling of the Chorley Pals Memorial in the town, more information and photographs are emerging of the men on the memorial.

Chorley FC 1913-14. Arthur is seated third from the right (click to enlarge)

Chorley FC 1913-14. Arthur is seated third from the right (click to enlarge)

Eighty one year old Joyce Brailsford from Leyland has supplied numerous photographs of her father, Arthur Bretherton, who also played for Chorley F.C. before joining up in 1914.

He  was born in Eccleston in 1890 to his parents Henry and Elizabeth (nee Leach); they lived on The Green in Eccleston and had six children.

Arthur’s original Chorley Pals number is not recorded, possibly due to him having been transferred to 31st Division Cyclist Company on the 2nd October 1915; he went to Egypt on the 11th December1915 and duly qualified for the 1914-15 Star. However, he was transferred back to the Pals on the 22nd May 1916 as Private 27263.

Arthur Bretherton

Arthur Bretherton

After being wounded at Serre on the 1st July 1916, he was posted to the Labour Corps as Private 196899 and left the Army at Nottingham on the 14th March 1919.

Arthur married Mary Ball at St. Mary The Virgin Church in Eccleston in 1923.

Commenting on the find, Pals Memorial Secretary Steve Williams said “It just goes to show how the men who formed the Chorley Pals were at the heart of the town and community”.

Seeking more information about the Pals, Steve has appealed once again for relatives of Chorley Pals to get in touch – he can be contacted on 01254 854298 or via our Contact Us page.