“The Clickety Click: The 66th Division in the Great War” by Rob Thompson

THE 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division of the army – nicknamed the Clickety Click – drew its men from the Manchester Regiment’s second-line Territorial battalions, many of whom were from Ashton-under-Lyne and the surrounding towns.

On Tuesday, May 7, historian Rob Thompson will tell its story in a free talk at the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in Ashton-under-Lyne Town (7.15pm). There is no need to book. Formed in 1914, the Clickety Click saw action on the Western Front during the later years of the First World War. Its first major combat was in October, 1917, at the Battle of Poelcappelle. In early 1918, the division sustained heavy losses during the German Spring Offensive, and had to be withdrawn from the line and rebuilt. It returned in time for the battles of Cambrai and Selle.

Following the Armistice, it was stationed in Belgium, where it was demobilised in March, 1919.

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