Thiepval Day in Salford

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Extract from God's Own 1st Salford Pals 15th(service ) Battalion Lancashire Fusilier

On Monday 1st of July 1918 a memorial service for the officers and men of the Lancashire
Fusiliers who fell in action at Thiepval on 1st July 1916 was held at Sacred Trinity Church. A memorial tablet was unveiled by Sir Montague Barlow ,MP. The service was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Salford (Alderman and Mrs Huddart) Sir Charles and Lady Mandleburg representatives of the Lancashire Fusiliers ,local councilors Major C.V Godfrey (Chief Constable) and numerous relatives of the fallen heroes.

The idea of placing a memorial tablet in the church originated with Mrs James Higson (Deputy Mayoress) and it was paid for by a few friends. It was designed by Sydney Lewis and made by George Wragge Ltd of Chapel Street, in coloured gesso on a carved oak panel. On the top left hand corner were the words "Love their memory" and on the right hand side "imitate their devotion.The inscription read" To the Glory of God , and in revered and honoured memory of the Officers, Non- commissioned Officers and Men of the Salford Battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers who fell in action at Thiepval France ,1st July 1916.

The service was taken by Canon Peter Green, Rector of St Philips and the Rev E.R.Oxby , Curate in charge of Sacred Trinity , Sir Montague Barlow unveiled the tablet and made a short speech quoting Rupert Brooke and saying " That a corner of the field in front of Thiepval Wood would always be to them a bit of England; nay , more more a portion of Salford . To those who had lost fathers or sons it would be "for ever England" and a place of pilgrimage when peace was restored.

On Sunday 10th November 1935 the Colours of the 15th,16th, 19th and 20th Service Battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers were laid up at Sacred Trinity Church. The Earl of Derby ,Honorary Colonel of the Salford Brigade , unveiled the memorial tablets which were placed alongside the 1st of July memorial unveiled in 1918.

Wendy

[shred]

Wendy,

Thanks fro this information. I hope to visit Sacred Trinity this weekend it is one of the oldest churches in Salford and was paid for by Humphrey Booth. William Webb Ellis is reputed to have been Christened there.

[shred]

In 1922 Thiepval day was still marked by a service at Sacred Trinity but looks like the attendance is ebbing (although the article blames the timing of the service).

From the Salford Reporter 1922:

"Thiepval day was Remembrance Day in Salford on Saturday, when a service was held in Sacred Trinity Church to commemorate those of the Salford Battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers who lost their lives at Thiepval, on the first day of the great Battle of the Somme.
There was not a large congregation as in past years, but probably the somewhat early hour of two o'clock had something to do with that."

[salfordian]

Hmmm ! I wrote to Cllr Derek Antrobus some years back and he was "keen" about it. Maybe we could as a forum press Salford Council to do something?

[stecheet]

Re Thiepval (from forgotten voices of the Great War)

The attack was planned for 29th of June , but was delayed until 1st of July because of bad weather. Zero hour was fixed after first light at the request of the French, who wanted good observation for their artillery; many British Officers had wanted to go over the top while it was still dark. The whistles blew at 7:30 am and tens of thousands of men clambered up the assault ladders and into no mans land.On the 1st of July 1916 the British Army sustained 57,470 casualties, of which 19,240 were killed or died of wounds.

Wendy