It’s important to show respect

LEGION . . . (from the left) Brian Gregson (president), John and Ruth Whyman, Dennis Lees and Stanley Cowburn

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Yesterday, Britain stood for a two-minute silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month on Armistice Day.

It commemorates the selfless acts of servicemen and women and civilians who paid the ultimate sacrifice during times of war.

Marina Berry went out and about in Oldham to ask people what remembrance means for them.

Mark Swanwick said he watched the Remembrance parade on television.

He said: “I don’t really go to church so it’s not something I would do on Remembrance Day, but I buy a poppy and I show my respect that way.

“I feel it’s important to respect those who fell for our freedom, although I don’t agree with wars generally.”

Harry Mullin, from Alt, said he too felt the tradition of honouring the war dead was “extremely important.”

He said: “I have an ex-serviceman friend who is 78 and he’s a brilliant fellow.

“But for him and others like him a lot of us wouldn’t be here now. They are superb people, and I go to a Remembrance Day service every year to give my support.”

Lynne Radcliffe, from Hollins, went to a Remembrance Day service at South Chadderton Methodist Church.

She said: “I go to church regularly anyway, but I do believe it’s important to remember.

“We have the freedom we have today because of those people, and we also must remember that servicemen and women are still giving their lives today.

“War is a reality and it affects a lot of the younger generation.”

Royton grandmother Avis Morris attended Shaw’s Remembrance Day service, where she saw her teenage grandson, Jordan Phillips, take part.

He is a cadet with the Territorial Army, and Mrs Morris said: “He is only 15 but he realises the significance of it.

“My generation lived through the war, I was six when war broke out and my father’s brother was on a ship which was torpedoed and went down.

“It’s something you never forget and it’s important that we all remember.”

Chris McAndrew, of College Avenue, Oldham, was unable to get to a service because she was at home looking after young children.

She said: “I managed to watch most of it on television, and if I had been in a position to go to a service I would have gone as I usually do.

“I feel it’s important to remember the men who fought in the war.”

Seventy-two-year-old Frank Bedford, from Derker, attended Failsworth Remembrance Day service in honour of his father who was evacuated from Dunkirk.

He also remembered his uncle, Tommy Collins, who was just 22 when he lost his life on the battleship HMS Victorious when it was torpedoed.

He said he found it an emotional experience, and added: “I go because I’m British.”

William Beaver (23), of Holts, observed the two-minute silence, and found himself caught up in Oldham town centre’s Remembrance Day ceremony because he was passing.

He said: “I’m a pacifist, but I still believe in respecting the dead — not just those who died at war, but everyone who has died.”

He added: “I have respect for people who were conscripted and who died.”

His partner, Louise Stones (21), said she did not get involved with Remembrance Day events at all.


Youngsters link up with the Legion (see pictures)

CHILDREN at Oldham’s smallest school surprised ex-servicemen with a display of life in the Second World War.

The pupils, aged seven to 11, from Christ Church School, Denshaw, have been studying 1939-45 as an autumn term project.

They have produced colourful montages with replicas of helmets and air-raid shelters, and posters which depict life in wartime Britain.

In the lead-up to Armistice Day, the school took up an offer from Saddleworth Royal British Legion for members to visit and talk about the war and the significance of the event.

The team included John Whyman a retired teacher, who kept the children enthralled with his stories.

School secretary Mary Rodgers said: “The party were very impressed with the displays the children had produced, especially the air-raid shelters.”

Head teacher Sue Callaghan said: “The children really immersed themselves in the idea. They even sampled wartime rations including sugar sandwiches. It gave them a real insight into life in the 1940s.”


School’s salute to the fallen

EARLY 100 youngsters went on parade to paid their respects to the fallen.

The pupils, taking a public service course at Our Lady’s RC High School, Royton, honoured Britain’s war dead at the front of the school at a service led by Padre Gerard Fieldhouse Byrne.

The Royton detachment of the Greater Manchester Army Cadets is based at the school.