22 October 2025
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Findmypast are calling on genealogists to work with them to help to create a single roll of honour to remember the volunteers who answered Kitchener's call to fight. See how you can help...
Who were the Pals battalions in WW1?
Pals – groups of brothers, friends, and workmates who enlisted, fought, and often fell together in the First World War – answered Kitchener’s call to serve.
Lord Kitchener was the Secretary of State for War when he masterminded the massive recruitment drive to encourage ‘pals’ to enlist together, and his New Army of volunteer battalions became popularly known as the Pals battalions.
The iconic wartime recruitment poster, depicting Kitchener’s call to arms, was first published on the cover of the London Opinion on 5 September 1914. Image in the public domain from the Library of Congress collections.
About Findmypast's Pals project
Despite their sacrifice, there is no single roll that holds every name of the Pals. This is something that Findmypast now wish to redress, calling on the genealogy community to help change that.
Jen Baldwin, Research Specialist at Findmypast said: “We believe that uncovering and understanding the stories of all those who served is a powerful act of Remembrance... We’re encouraging our genealogy community to help shed light on one of the darkest wartime chapters: the Pals regiments of the First World War.”
Find a Pal, delve deeper, and share your findings at www.findmypast.co.uk/pals
