Lifestyle

Heroes of World War One remembered through exhibitions across Oldham

Aimee Belmore September 2, 2015

THE BOROUGH’S heroes of World War One will be remembered with two new roving exhibitions over the coming months.

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Roger Ivens, Local Studies Officer and Cllr Cath Ball with one of the new exhibitions

Volunteers have worked hard to gather information for the displays, hosted by Oldham Council, to recognise the bravery of local Victoria Cross holders and the ‘Oldham Pals’.

‘Oldham’s Victoria Crosses’ tells the story of Thomas Steele, Walter Mills and John Hogan, who were awarded this country’s highest military decoration for valour.

The second exhibition, ‘The Oldham Pals’, remembers the legacy of the 24th Manchester’s Battalion.

It recalls the efforts of the Oldham Pals on the Western Front and Italy using archives and stories of the men who were there.

The exhibitions will travel to different libraries from September 5 and will spend approximately three weeks in each facility.

Councillor Cath Ball, Assistant Cabinet Member for World War One Centenary, said: “We have been doing lots of different things to commemorate 100 years since the First World War started.

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COMMEMORATIVE: One of the new exhibitions

“We will continue to show our commitment to the commemoration with these two exhibitions, which will finish in early January 2016.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved for all the hard work put into these pieces. It’s an excellent opportunity to show how Oldham played its part in the war all those years ago.”

If residents have any stories to tell about the Victoria Cross or any other conflicts in World War One or World War Two the council would love to hear them. 

Please email oldhamremembers@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 3297. For more information visit www.oldhamremembers.org.uk

The exhibition timetable is:

Library Exhibition Title and Dates Exhibition Title and Dates
Chadderton Victoria Cross5 – 26 September Oldham Pals11 December – 8 January
Failsworth Victoria Cross26 September – 16 October Oldham Pals27 November – 11 December
Uppermill Victoria Cross16 October – 6 November Oldham Pals6 – 27 November
Oldham Library Victoria Cross6 November – 27 November Oldham Pals16 October – 6 November
Royton Victoria Cross27 November – 11 December Oldham Pals26 September – 16 October
Crompton Victoria Cross11 December – 8 January Oldham Pals5 – 26 September