Gleaming tribute to the Boer fallen

The restored War Memorial with, from left, Father Harry Edwards, of Holy Trinity Church, Shaw, Ward Councillor Howard Sykes, and Royal British Legion President Cyril Farnworth

The restored Shaw and Crompton Boer War Memorial plaque is back in its rightful place following restoration.

The large bronze plaque, which stands at the north edge of Shaw Memorial Gardens, commemorates eight men from the area whose lives were lost during the Boer War.

It was removed before Christmas for specialist cleaning, paid for by Royton, Shaw and Crompton District Partnership.

Eura Conservation, specialists who have carried out work on Westminster Central Hall, the Three Legs sculpture on the Isle of Man and the gates at Buckingham Palace, carried out the £4,875 contract to intensively clean, prime, wax and buff the plaque.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion and Councillor Howard Sykes, Oldham Council Leader, were at the unveiling on Monday.

Councillor Sykes, who represents Shaw, is delighted that the memorial is back in its rightful place.

He said: “To our knowledge it is nearly 100 years since any renovation work has been carried out on the memorial and we are delighted that it is now once again a fitting tribute to those who paid the highest sacrifice.” The historic memorial is one of only 42 across the country and was originally unveiled on June 25, 1904.