NEXT YEAR sees a century since the start of the ‘Great War’ that was to last for a period of four years and was at the time the war to end ALL wars – but sadly that was never to be the case.
The most immediate reminder of this war and others are the various memorials around Saddleworth on which we are prompted to reflect at least once a year on Remembrance Sunday.
These memorials mostly originated after the end of the First World War in 1918 when a need was seen to mark those people who served their country and the many who lost their lives ‘in memoriam’.
The scale of these memorials came in all sizes, from illuminated manuscripts framed and put on public display in places of work, schools, churches and chapels.
They also ranged from marble plaques, ornate wood carved and illuminated, to those such as the Saddleworth War Memorial on Pots and Pans – but all requiring fundraising and a public subscription.
We mustn’t forget local philanthropy which included the Saddleworth Cenotaph in St Chad’s Gardens, funded by Mr Hervey Carter, which has recently been restored.
Saddleworth Museum is fortunate in having in its collection a few memorials, including a large marble plaque that originated in Pastures Congregational Church and Sunday School, which was in Springhead.
There is also a framed illuminated panel from Joseph Clare, Frenches Dye Works, in Greenfield and a similar one that hung in the Delph Mechanics Institute.
It was certainly the case that most mills, schools, and places of work had a framed memorial to those who had worked at the place and had been killed or served their country and King in the First World War.
With the passing of time and closure of a lot of these mills, many of these memorials have been lost and we are appealing to the readers of the Independent to help us search these out.
The Museum is aware of the obvious memorials that exist such as Pots and Pans, Denshaw, Uppermill Cenotaph but if you know of anything else we would love to hear from you.
The Museum is also trying to collect information on those Saddleworth people who served in the First World War so if you have a photo and any information we would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch with Museum curator Peter Fox by emailing curator@saddleworthmuseum.co.uk or calling 01457 874093.
Hi. My great grandfather is listed on the memorial and I would like to take my elderly mother to see it. What is the best / easiest approach please