New memorial honouring Pompey Pals battalions to be unveiled at Fratton Park after astonishing support from fans

The tributes, commissioned by charity Pompey Pals, honour those that fell during the First World War and will open to fans at tomorrow’s match against Peterborough United.

The Pompey Pals were battalions made up of volunteers who gave their service to the country, forming in 1914.

They came from the 14th, 15th and 16th (Portsmouth) battalions of the Hampshire Regiment.

After the original 2014 memorial got worn down and parts of the weather coating peeled off, an appeal was made to the Fratton faithful for help, which they responded to in kind.

Charity founder Bob Beech said £1,600 was raised within a few days.

He told The News: ‘Pompey fans agreed we needed to do this, and within a couple of days, we raised the money needed to do this.

‘It’s a significant sum in a couple of days.

‘They have supported me and Pompey Pals since it became a registered charity.

‘They’ve been brilliant and always got behind what we have done, to a man.’

Pompey director Eric Eisner donated to the cause personally, with Mr Beech pleased he ‘grabbed the project with both hands’.

Thousands of eager young men joined battalions across the country during the First World War, following recruitment drive from Lord Horatio Kitchener, the secretary of state for war.

They were dubbed by the press at the time as ‘Pal’ battalions, and those honoured consisted of groups of people from Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant, Cosham, and Petersfield, to name a few.

Due to the tireless effort of Mr Beech, Gareth Lewis, the charity’s chair, and supporters across the city, the new memorial was made a reality.

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It consists of the main stones, and information boards covering Portsmouth in the Second World War, and the city’s role within the military to the present day.

Adorning the tribute is former Blues’ manager Alan Ball’s famous quote: ’This is Portsmouth, people went to war from this city.’

Mr Beech said the city and football club are aligned and tomorrows date makes the unveiling even more special.

He added: ‘The stars aligned. September 3, 1914, was when the battalions were raised, and September 3, 1916, was when they first went into battle.

‘It would have been special on any day, but unveiling it on that date makes it more poignant.’