Rededication service of war grave

Standard bearers of the Royal British Legion and other organisations at the rededication service of the British Legion War Grave

Dignitaries from the borough and beyond attended the rededication service of the British Legion grave in Rochdale Cemetery on Sunday (21 August).

The service was carried out by the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion at 11.00am. The Legion was joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson and Gillian Brown, Simon Danczuk MP and members of the Riders’ branch of the Royal British Legion.

The grave, which was a mass burial place for soldiers who died between 1914 and 1918 in the First World War, had fallen into disrepair and needed a complete refurbishment.

The Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion organised for the grave to be cleaned up and in a bid to mark the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion they held a rededication service.

Secretary of the branch, Michael Blackman, said: “It was cleaned up by Rochdale Memorial Services Limited and they provided a rededication plague which I fitted.

“Because this year is the 90th year of the Royal British Legion we wanted to do something. So we had it cleaned up and fitted the plague and held a rededication to mark the event.”

Following the service those in attendance gathered at the Wellfield Working Men’s Club for a buffet.

Mr Blackman concluded: “It was a good day.”