Web remember

OLDHAMERS who gave their lives for their country are being remembered in a new online roll of honour.

The memorial on Oldham Council’s website contains the names of residents who died serving in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.

People can view it from today at www.oldham.gov.uk while the council’s Facebook and Twitter profiles will also have a remembrance theme.

The council is not aware of any other local authorities which have an on-line roll.

It is part of a range of council activities in the run up to the Remembrance Sunday services across the borough.

Libraries will have displays paying tribute to local hero Thomas Steele from Springhead who was awarded the Victoria Cross in the First World War.

He continued “to operate his Maxim gun in the face of withering Turkish fire and after being severely wounded” when repulsing an Ottoman counter-offensive near Kut in 1916.

All council staff will join the national two minutes’ silence on November 11 at 11am, the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The local Air Training Corps is holding a recruitment event from 10am to noon on November 12 at Oldham Library. There will also be a brass band performance.

Remembrance Sunday services then take place around the borough on November 13.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “We are honoured to once again show our support for Remembrance Week. The Royal British Legion is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding charity work that it does through its annual appeal.

“We have the deepest respect for all those who have given their lives for peace and security and I would urge all residents to please give generously again to this cause and wear your poppies with pride.”