WW1 Memorial Unveiling 2018

Some Photographs from the Unveiling Ceremony

On Sunday, 1st July, in glorious sunshine, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, The Lord Shuttleworth, dedicated our new World War One monument. The Cemetery was looking at its best after hours of hard work spent sprucing up the paths and flower beds by our dedicated team of volunteers.

Chairman John East opened the proceedings. He pointed out that it was Somme Day, and that at the battle of the Somme on this day in 1916,
Lt Ashton was killed in the first minutes of the offensive.
Lt Ashton is of course commemorated on the Ashton memorial.

Tony Foster told the story of Private Squire Haworth, who saw action at the second battle of Ypres, but who was discharged when found to be suffering from diabetes. He died from a diabetic coma back in Darwen. Tony hopes that he will be eligible for a Commonwealth War Grave.

Our President, Colonel Steve Davies used his speech to thank the many individuals who had made important contributions which enabled the wall to be built. He then invited the Lord Lieutenant to formally dedicate the monument.

After the dedication and the unveiling, the Lord Lieutenant laid a wreath to the fallen.

The Reverend Terry Young then blessed the wall and prayed for the Armed Forces both now and in the past. We then sang the hymn, “Oh valiant hearts” ably led by the Walk This Way choir and accompanied by the Balderstones Brass Band.

This was followed by the Last Post, the Two Minutes Silence and the Reveille.

Col. Davies declared that this was the last official duty of John East as Chairman of the Friends and asked for a rousing round of applause for the retiring Chairman.

John East closed the proceedings by announcing that refreshments would be served in the Rose Garden in Whitehall Park.

Here are some photographs of the event.

Photo by Mavis Smith

Photograph by Mavis Smith

Photo by Mavis Smith               

Photo by Mavis Smith  

Unless already advised all the Photographs have been taken
by Roy Cox and Alan Walton