Rochdale remembers 100 years on from World War One

Date published: 11 November 2018

Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects at the Remembrance Sunday service at Rochdale Cenotaph on 11 November, honouring those who died serving their country.

This year, the centenary of Armistice Day fell on Remembrance Service, marking one hundred years since Germany signed the peace agreement ending four long years of fighting, the end of the Great War.

A turning point in world history, the Great War claimed the lives of over 16 million people worldwide, leaving a huge impact on all those who experienced it.

The Rochdale borough was no exception: approximately 3,000 local men died of the 15,000 -16,000 who fought in the war, according to a dissertation by Michael Bull entitled ‘Rochdale and the Great War 1914 - 1920.’

Wing Commander David Forbes DL, President of the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion, opened the service in Rochdale centre with The Exhortation after the clock tower struck 11am:

They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, And in the morning,

We will remember them.

The Last Post was sounded and those bearing standards lowered them for the two-minute silence.

Wing Commander Forbes read The Kohima Epitaph before prayers were read by the Reverend Canon Margaret Smith, Royal British Legion Chaplain.

Wreaths were laid by Mayor Mohammed Zaman, the president of the Legion, the saluting officer, the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Member of Parliament Tony Lloyd, party leaders, representatives of the three armed forces, police, fire and ambulance officers, the Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations, magistrates and representatives from churches and mosques.

Other organisations, including Brownies, Guides and Scouts, and members of the public also laid their wreaths. 

The Reverend Margaret Smith, Town Centre Chaplain, sang the hymn 'By A Monument of Marble', inviting the public to accompany her after the first verse.

A prayer and a reading from the Gospel according to St John were read, followed by a Universal Peace Prayer and the hymn 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past' and the Lord’s Prayer, read by Reverend Mark Coleman, Vicar of Rochdale. 

The Blessing and the National Anthem closed the service, before the parade marched along The Esplanade and in front of the Town Hall. 

Wooden crosses adorned with poppies had also been added to the Memorial Gardens, some bearing the names of those who had fought in the wars, whilst others recognised the sacrifice given by all who gave their lives.

Mayor Mohammed Zaman said: “We pay homage to those fallen in all wars and thank them for the peace we have today. We also remember those who served in the British Empire and fought alongside Britain, giving their lives in the hope for a better future for us.

“We take this time to remember all those affected by wars, the millions who have lost their lives and war veterans and their families. They will not be forgotten.
“We remind ourselves that these sacrifices continue to take place today by our British Armed Forces and remember those who have fallen and continue to fall in other conflicts.

“I lay a wreath on behalf of all the people in the borough, with feelings of pride and sorrow, bearing the words ‘Not Forgotten.’”

 

 

 

 

Rochdale Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day parade and service 11.11.18
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