1965 was the heyday for a local landmark sadly destroyed when it went up in flames 10 years ago.
50 years ago today, 25 March, a new £30,000 Memorial Hall was added to the Eccles British Legion on Chadwick Road.
It was opened with no small fanfare by Lord Lonsdale, President of the Legion in the North West since 1961.
Eccles British Legion 1965 – Lord Lonsdale unveiling plaque
The original Memorial Hall was opened in February 1922 in front of several hundred ex-servicemen by none other than Field Marshall Dougals Haig, former commander-in-chief of the British forces on the Western Front.
The weather 50 years ago today was atrocious, with rain and gales hammering down on some 700 guests and dignitaries as they marched to Eccles Cenotaph to lay a wreath, then onto Chadwick Road.
The parade was lead by Chief Inspector Leadbetter from Eccles police with two mounted police officers.
There was quite a turn-out with pipe bands from the Royal Scots Guards Association, boys and girls from the Air and Sea Cadets, the Air Training Corp, Home Guard, Ambulancemen, Motor Units from the Royal Corp of Transport – and adding a dash of colour on a wet, drab, day – the Lithuanian Veterans Association with some girl members in national costume.
Eccles British Legion in 1970 – © Ian S Hastie/SalfordOnline.com
40 men and 17 women of the Eccles British Legion carried the club’s standards, led by Secretary Mr E. Bamber.
Watch: Unseen Eccles History: Footballers reunited 50 years on from legendary 1966 cup win
At a civic reception held at Eccles Town Hall, the Mayor Alderman Kenneth Edwards thanked everyone for their help in raising the money to build the new hall.
The paraders bravely defied the elements and moved to the steps of the British Legion for the dedication and opening ceremony.
Club chairman Mr Coyle waited patiently as the bugler and piper played their last tune before addressing the waiting crowd.
But a sudden downpour sent the club members scattering and rushing out of the deluge.
Loudspeakers were quickly erected and the remainder of the assembly took place indoors.
He made a speech thanking the chief guests, civic party and Commander Beatty, Colonel Barber and Group Captain Southgate who represented the three services.
Lord Lonsdale unveiled the memorial tablet in the new hall, saying it was: “a fine building and that everytime they set foot in it, they must remember all those from Eccles who gave their lives in so many tragic ways for their country, their town and their families”.
He added that The Legion was a vital force without discrimination of race, creed or rank and that people of all colours and religions were members.
The British Legion Club in Eccles was a popular staple of the community with cabaret and music evenings, wedding receptions, christenings and all manner of family gatherings.
Each Rememberance Sunday the standard bearers would march from this club to the Eccles Cenotaph to pay their respects and lay individual wreaths.
Sadly the club was destroyed by a devasting fire in September 2006 which razed the building to the ground.
Video taken at the scene shows flames leaping 30ft into the air, and huge clouds of black smoke drifting over Eccles.
Even more tragically, the inferno destroyed club records and memorabilia built up over half a century by the British Legion and the families who used it.
Some 20 new apartments were built on the site in the wake of the fire.
Eccles no longer has a British Legion Club but I’m certain that many, many people will remember having spent many a happy hour there.
Keep your news reliable, sustainable and local: Click here to donate £1 to support SalfordOnline.com
