Cenotaph service commemorates end of Gulf War

A piper at the Cenotaph service commemorating the end of Gulf War

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A remembrance service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the end of the Gulf War and to honour the 54,000 British troops who were deployed in the deserts of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait took place at Rochdale Cenotaph tonight (Friday 26 February).

Although the war was won, 47 servicemen paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives. Two of those were from Rochdale, Sapper Richard ‘Joe’ Royle and Fusilier Conrad Cole, who were amongst those remembered during the service.

Fusilier Conrad Cole was the youngest British soldier to die in the Gulf War on 26 February 1991 aged just 17. His mother Susan Cole said he decided at an early age that he wanted to join the Army:

She said: “Conrad was young and it was his choice to go to war, but he wanted to be part of something and thrived in the military. He definitely wasn’t ready to sit back and watch his friends get a sun tan without him or just watch them on television: he wanted to be part of it.

“We will always remember him as a happy go lucky lad who had a smile on his face and made others smile with him. The light he brought into people’s lives and the laughter that filled the world around him will always be with us.”

Councillor Alan McCarthy said: “47 servicemen died during the Gulf War conflict. Rochdale lost two servicemen, Sapper Richard ‘Joe’ Royle and Fusilier Conrad Cole. As a community we should honour the sacrifices of these men and also the sacrifices made by those who did return home.

“By holding a service of remembrance and a festival we can show as a community that we appreciate the work these servicemen did. It shows those who served during the conflict that we have not forgotten.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said: “Rochdale Town Hall is very good at organising events such as this. They are very good at supporting events that are very important not only to the borough but to the country as well. This is a very special evening.”

Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes said: “This is a very important event here tonight and it not only commemorates but signifies the importance of war and peace.”

The Gulf War lasted until 28 February 1991 and ended in the successful liberation of Kuwait from Iraq.

Commemorations are to continue tomorrow (Saturday 27 February) when a festival will be held at Rochdale Town Hall. The evening will comprise of The Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums, The Fusilier Association Band, the Fusilier Association Corps of Drums and the Ambassadors Tribute Act.