New war memorial for Heywood

New war memorial for Heywood

A new war memorial in recognition of servicemen and women who died in conflicts since the Second World War will be officially unveiled in Heywood this autumn.

A ‘Dedication Day’ will take place on Saturday 26 September in the Memorial Gardens, and will include a public ceremony and reception in the Civic Centre.

For many years local families and the Royal British Legion have campaigned for a permanent memorial and Heywood's will be one of the first in the country dedicated to those in the armed forces who have died in service since World War II.

The 1 metre x 10 metre polished granite memorial has been specifically designed to sit alongside the existing Grade II-listed memorial which was first unveiled back in 1925. Members of the local British Legion considered various designs before Heywood councillors gave their approval earlier this year.

The design will enable the continuation of the messages from the existing structure which is surrounded by names on all sides. The arc shape and colours of the new embrace links with the past, whilst the new memorial has polished granite and metal crests. There will be three crests on the front of both end faces representing the Navy, the Army, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Heywood town crest.

The memorial will include the words: "Dedicated to the men and women of the armed forces who lost their lives in the service of their country since World War II. In near and far off lands they paid the supreme sacrifice. We will remember them."

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Chairman of Heywood Township, said he is proud that the town will soon be able to recognise those who have died in recent conflicts. He said: “It will provide a focus and recognition to the Heywood families who support those serving in past and present conflicts, as well as sending a message to our men and women of the armed forces that their town continues to recognise the commitment they have given and are giving at this time. I hope other towns and public bodies around the country follow the lead taken by Heywood Township.”

The Heywood servicemen’s names to be included so far, who died in service, include: Gunner Glen Colvin, Royal Artillery, died in Germany, 1980, 20 years old. Corporal Stephen Hope, Parachute Regiment, died in the Falklands, 1982, 27 years old. Corporal Ian Holt, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, died in Belize, 1991, 28 years old. Lance Corporal Michael J Beswick, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, died in Northern Ireland, 1993, 21 years old.