Ten Oldham war heroes are set to be honoured for their bravery during the Spanish Civil War as the 75th anniversary of the conflict ending is celebrated this weekend.
The special commemoration will see the unveiling of a plaque at Oldham Parish Church to remember the men who lost their lives in the war.
The plaque was first presented to the town in 1986 by ceramic artist Jim Robinson at the Local Interest Centre but has since been in storage at Gallery Oldham.
It has now been restored to its former glory and will be back on display again this Saturday.
The memorial will remember the lives Albert Charlesworth, Charles Armitage, Joseph Buckley and Charles Hanson who bravely fought in Spain, and their comrades Harry Roland Heap, Clem Beckett, Joseph Maynard Lees, Kenneth Bradbury, Clifford Wolstencroft and William Jackson.
OLDHAM HEROES: Some of the men being commemorated
Mayor of Oldham, Councillor John Hudson, will unveil the memorial and praised the lives of those lost in the conflict.
“I am extremely honoured as Mayor of Oldham to be a part of the unveiling of this memorial,” he said.
“The Spanish Civil War can often be seen as the forgotten war, eclipsed by the Second World War.
“However, we must remember those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in this conflict.
“I must also commemorate the outstanding work of the International Brigade Memorial Trust to help bring this poignant and lasting tribute, created by Jim Robison, back for everyone to see.”
The trust has played a part in the restoration of the plaque and trust treasurer Charles Jepson, said it is right that the soldiers who lost their lives are remembered.
“These volunteers from Oldham were men of high principle, men who were prepared to fight, and if necessary die rather than turn a deaf ear to the cries of strangers in their hour of need.
“The International Brigade Memorial Trust believes that the values that took these men from their native town to fight for the freedom of Spain is an inspirational story that the residents of Oldham should be proud to tell their children.”
An estimated 2,000 people from Britain fought in the conflict – 500 of whom lost their lives.
A total of 130 men and women left Greater Manchester to join the fight against fascism resulting in 35 soldiers being killed defending their beliefs and the rights of the Spanish people.
Also there to unveil the plaque will be Reverend Derek Palmer, Dolores Long, chair of the International Brigade Memorial Trust and daughter of Sam Wild, the last Commander of the British Battalion.
The ceremony will take place at Oldham Parish Church Saturday April 26 at 12pm.
Featured image courtesy of Teresa Avellanosa via Flickr, with thanks
