Memorial plaque unveiled

Cllr Richard Farnell (left) and Dr Jon Lamonte (right) unveil the plaque flanked by fusiliers

A special memorial event yesterday morning (Monday 4 August) was held to mark a century since Great Britain’s entry into the First World War.

Transport for Greater Manchester Chief Executive and former RAF Air Vice Marshal, Dr Jon Lamonte and Rochdale Council Leader, Councillor Richard Farnell were joined by fusiliers to unveil a memorial plaque at Rochdale Interchange.

The plaque, which pays tribute to 20 members of Rochdale’s Passenger Transport Department who died during the conflict, was unveiled at 10:30am.

Today marks exactly a century since Great Britain declared a state of war at 11pm after Austria-Hungary refused to back down from hostilities against Serbia.

Prior to the unveiling, Fusiliers boarded the special 3020 Lancashire Fusiliers’ tram at Rochdale Railway Station Metrolink stop while Captain Joe Eastwood regaled passengers with a three minute reading of Rudyard Kipling’s wartime poem ‘Tommy’.

The poem is about the difficulties of a soldier’s life, especially once they return home. The name “Tommy” does not refer to a specific individual but rather the nickname for British soldiers – Tommy Atkins. Although used as early as 1743, the term was primarily associated with the soldiers in WWI

Once the tram had made its way down the Drake Street to the Rochdale Town Centre stop, the fusiliers paraded down the platform and across to the interchange for the presentation.

Dr Lamonte said: “The centenary of the First World War is something that touches everyone: from past family members who were part of that generation and made the ultimate sacrifice, to the poetry we all know so well from our school days.

“I wholeheartedly welcome this important tribute because it really helps this generation to understand just how far and deep an impact the conflict had on people’s everyday lives.

“Metrolink, in particular, has very close ties with the Lancashire Fusiliers, who raised 30 battalions for the First World War and were represented in every campaign of the conflict – so I’m pleased that they were able to use the network to arrive here for the unveiling.”

Councillor Farnell, said: “We have made a commitment as a council to support our armed forces as much as we can and we welcome any opportunity to honour the huge sacrifices they have made for us. We’re proud to be able to show our respect on this very significant day, as we mark 100 years since Great Britain’s entry into the First World War.”