BRIGHT SUNSHINE added an extra poignancy when a hamlet gathered to remember the boys from the hill…
Heads bowed, locals of all ages shared the quiet 45-minutes service in the tiny churchyard at St Anne’s Church, Lydgate to remember the fallen from World War One.
It was also a commemoration of the life and times of Sergeant Tommy Steele from Springhead, who, aged just 26, was awarded a Victoria Cross and lived until he was 87.
He served in the Seaforth Highlanders and despite being severely wounded held the line in a massive enemy counter-attack in February 1917 near Sanna-y-Yat, Mesopotamia.
Tommy’s name, along with others was read by Rev John Rosedale, Saddleworth team vicar, accompanied by Rev Michael Donmall, Saddleworth team curate.
The dignified list of heroes is captured in a locally-produced book, “The Boys From The Hill,” narrating their brief lives.
As a tribute, men from the Manchester Regiment stood silently when Andrew Reynolds of St John’s Band, Mossley, sounded the Last Post.
‘The Boys From The Top Of the Hill’, priced at £10, can be purchased from Lesley: 01457 873544 or Jennifer: 01457 877935.
Meanwhile, Love Lydgate has installed memorial plaque on their church wall to commemorate all those who have fallen in battle since the First World War.
The caring community group commissioned the stone plaque, which has been placed on the outside of St Anne’s Church wall.
The stone was supplied and carved by Alan Collins and son from McDermott Memorials and was fitted by Andy Potts and his brother Stewart from Oldfield Construction, based in Grasscroft.
Jennifer Greenwood, chair of Love Lydgate, said: “This has been a real community effort and we are so grateful to Alan Collins who supplied the stone and carved it and to Andy and Stewart Potts for fitting it.
“The PCC at St. Anne’s Church have been wholly supportive of the project and helped to make it happen.
“Through this stone and the wall-hanging we have achieved what we set out to do…to bring local men back to the heart of our community.”
The inscription on the plaque reads
‘1914 to 2014
TO HONOUR AND REMEMBER
THE MEN AND WOMEN
FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
IN WAR AND CONFLICT
DURING THESE YEARS
NOT FORGOTTEN’
The stone will be blessed by Father Christopher Halliday at the start of Lydgate’s Remembrance Service on Sunday, November 9 at 10.45am.
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