Centenary celebration for wartime classic

UNVEILING: Councillor Bernard Judge and Councillor Eileen Shorrock of Stalybridge District Assembly.

AN Oldham councillor celebrated the centenary of a favourite wartime song written by one of his ancestors.

Bernard Judge was a VIP guest for a ceremony yesterday at the Stalybridge statue built in honour of his distant relative, Jack Judge, who penned the classic “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” in the Tameside town.

The Royton North councillor is proud of his family’s involvement in the song which helped the First World War troops remember home.

The former Oldham mayor recalled how Jack, who died in 1938, toured the music halls and while in Stalybridge penned “Tipperary” for a bet after being challenged to write an original song in 24 hours.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the centenary ceremony and music performed by Stalybridge Band and children from St Peter’s RC School, Stalybridge.