'Beautiful' memorial benches honouring Pompey Pals 110th World War I anniversary to be set up in France

Bespoke memorial benches honouring Portsmouth soldiers who served in the First World War will be set up in France.

The commemorative displays will be erected in the village of Flers, marking 110 years since “Portsmouth’s Own” Battalions fought there during the Battle of the Somme. The first bench serves as a lasting memorial to the 14th 15th and 16th Battalions of the Hampshire Regiment.

Known as the “Pompey Pals”, these contingents were formed of local recruits from the streets, docks and offices of Portsmouth. They all served heroically during the devastating Somme offensive. The second bench is dedicated to the people of Flers, in tribute to the villagers and honouring the immense sacrifices, hardships, and losses they endured when their home became a frontline battlefield.

Both memorials will be dedicated at Portsmouth War Memorial in Guildhall Square on August 29 at 10am. They will then be transported to Flers, where they will be officially unveiled on September 12 on the historic battlefield of the Somme offensive.

The village was liberated September 15, 1916, during a battle that saw the first use of tanks in history. Soldiers from the 15th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment were in the vanguard of the fighting.

Mayor Pierrick Capelle said: “We are deeply moved to welcome these beautiful memorials to our village. The memory of the brave Portsmouth soldiers who fought on our soil will be forever preserved here, and this gift serves as a permanent reminder of the enduring solidarity between our two communities."

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Gareth Lewis, chair of the Pompey Pals charity, and the institution’s founder, Bob Beech, have been seeking support for the idea over the past several years. Fans of Portsmouth FC have long been fundraising for the project, with the final sum being doubled by the Fareham-based firm UKPAC. The benches will be ever-lasting tribute to the sacrifices of our city’s soldiers.

Mr Beech said: “When we unveiled the memorial to the battalions at Fratton Park in August 2014 the idea was always to try and do something on the Western Front, it was just a case of what and where, Flers was the obvious choice given its connection to Portsmouth. Both Gareth and myself discussed what we wanted to do during many visits to the area. We didn’t want just another slab of concrete. The benches are hand crafted teak and will be a lasting tribute to the pals.”

Mr Lewis added: “The stated aim of The Pompey Pals charity is to remember and commemorate all those from Portsmouth and the surrounding area who have served our country in times of conflict. After settling on Flers being the perfect location we both delighted and honoured that the mayor monsieur Pierrick Capelle and council members wholeheartedly embraced the project.

“Placing these benches in Flers for the 110th anniversary is incredibly moving. One commemorates our own Portsmouth lads, while the second acknowledges the extraordinary sacrifice of the French people who lost so much. It is a gift from the heart of Portsmouth to the people of Flers, ensuring our shared history is never forgotten.”