Heroes of Manchester Hill honoured in concert

A FREE event will commemorate the largely forgotten story of the fall of Manchester Hill, which took place in 1918 during WW1.

It is a little-known about battle that proved to be a forerunner to the last 100 days of the First World War.

At the time, there was an area of higher ground; a defence position which was of high importance to the Germans. When the area was captured in April 1917 by the 2nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, it was given the name Manchester Hill.

The Regiment continued to hold and defend their position until 21 March 1918 when the hill was attacked by the German army.

Despite an heroic defence by the 16th Battalion - which was formed in 1914 and recruited in Manchester by the Lord Mayor most of the battalion were dead or wounded by 4pm that day.

Out of eight officers and 160 men who went into action on the hill, just two officers and 15 other ranks returned to British lines.

Of the remainder, 79 men were killed and the rest either wounded and subsequently taken into captivity, or taken directly as Prisoners of War.

Among those who lost their lives was 29-year-old LieutenantColonel Elstob, who led his troops selflessly into battle with the words ‘Here we fight. Here we die.’

One hundred years on, the actions of the valiant soldiers of the Manchester Regiment are to be remembered both here in Manchester and also in France - at the hill that still bears the name, Manchester Hill.

Presented by Brighter Sound, Manchester Histories and Manchester City Council, the multi media event, involving over 60 artists and performers, will be an immersive, atmospheric and poignant performance of new music, poetry, spoken word, and digital projection.

Prominent Manchester musicians Stuart McCallum (The Cinematic Orchestra, The Breath), John Ellis (The Cinematic Orchestra, Lily Allen), Luke Flowers (The Cinematic Orchestra, Corinne Bailey Rae) with singer-songwriter Liam Frost and composer Katie Chatburn, will collaborate with a group of emerging talented local musicians and spoken word artists Young Identity featuring Isaiah Hull, in an intensive collaborative artist residency to create and compose new music, songs and poetry specially for the event.

The event - which takes place on Friday April 13 at 8pm at Manchester Cathedral will also premiere newly-commissioned works from prize winning poet Michael Symmons Roberts, pictured below, and singersongwriter Seaming To. Debra King, Director of Brighter Sound, said: “Manchester Cathedral provides a wonderful space for such a special event, and we’re pleased to be able to give the chance to new musicians to collaborate not only with established artists, but also with the prestigious King’s Division Brass Band and other orchestral and choral musicians.” Manchester Hill Remembered at Manchester Cathedral will be a ticketed event, but it will be free of charge. Tickets available from website: manchesterhill. eventbrite.co.uk