Veterans and dignitaries gathered in the heart of Bolton to remember the men who fell in one of the First World War’s most devastating battles. Saturday, October 26, marked the 107th anniversary of the start of the second battle of Passchendaele, in which 120 soldiers of the “Bolton Rifles” were killed. They and the 275,000 other British casualties were remembered with a ceremony including wreath laying, prayers and the last chorus at the war memorial at Queens Park.
Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, said: “It’s just as relevant now as it was 107 years ago, its really important that we remember the lessons of the past and that we’re here now today because these guys and girls gave their lives.” He added: “They went there as part of a local regiment, they fought together and some of them didn’t come back.” The event was held at Queens Park (Image: Phil Taylor) The monument at Queens Park commemorates more than 1,000 soldiers from Bolton who died over the course of the First World War.
Along with the 275,000 British soldiers who died at Passchendaele, there were 260,000 German casualties and 15,000 Canadians killed. Flags were unfurled and wreaths laid (Image: Phil Taylor) On Saturday Queens Park hosted a service led by the Reverend Michael Taylor in memory of the 5th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, also known as the Bolton Rifles. The event had been organised by Bolton United Services Veterans Association and included a range of dignitari.