Hundreds of people gathered at the Eccles war memorial on Sunday 8 November to show their respects for local people who have fallen in conflicts over the past century and more.
Despite the appalling weather people of all ages, including many young children, listened as Rev Cyprian Yobera, Rector of Eccles Parish Church, led the service and spoke out against the horrors of war and the fate of many innocent people caught up in battles overseas and worldwide.
By Antony Mills
There was a march past by veterans of the last war with deputations from the British Legion, The Merchant Navy Association, The Territorial Army, Boy Scouts, and the Air Force Cadets.
Eccles Cadets after the parade – By Karen Ball
There was a light hearted moment in this day of solemnity when the local brass band struck up the Colonel Bogey theme and the crowd clapped along – the first time that I have seen this happen.
A two-minute silence was observed then Lewis Hopkins of the Army Cadet Forces read out the Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home tell them of us, and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”
By Antony Mills
By Antony Mills
By Antony Mills
Wreaths were laid by Barbara Keeley MP for Worsley and Eccles, British Legion, BLESMA, Merchant Navy Association, Army and Air Cadets, GMP, Boy Scouts, Eccles Fire Brigade, and several primary schools, which I found to be a nice gesture.
A small grass memorial garden was soon full of wooden crosses each bearing the name of a loved one who had fallen in combat.
As the veterans and youth groups marched back to Henley’s Bar on Barton Lane there was a sporadic outburst of applause from the gathered crowd as they showed their appreciation for these brave men and women.
