Town blooms in tribute to heroes of Burma battle
AFLORAL tribute to commemorate 75 years of army veterans charity The Burma Star Association has been unveiled.
Ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday (June 27), Rochdale Borough Council collaborated with Rochdale in Bloom and the Rochdale & District Fusiliers’ Association to design and create a Burma Star floral display at Broadfield Slopes, which sits proudly under the John Bright statue.
The display, designed and installed by the council’s environmental management team, took more than 1,400 plants to create and replicates the medal awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in the Burma Campaign from 1941 to 1945 during the Second World War.
The colours represent different elements - red for the Army & Commonwealth Forces, dark blue for the British Naval Forces and yellow for the sun.
Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We were delighted to have been able to fulfil this vision acknowledging the brave contribution and the many sacrifices that soldiers made throughout World War Two.
“We honour those with this mark of respect remembering those fallen and celebrate those still with us today.
“It is a symbol of remembrance, but also brings colour and signs of new growth within our borough, through which has been a difficult time. I hope that it will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike throughout the coming weeks.”
The initial idea was pitched at Rochdale in Bloom by the Rochdale and District Fusiliers’ Association, which resulted in the collaboration.
Roy Down, chairman of Rochdale in Bloom, said: “The chance to help commemorate 75 years of the Burma Star Association was something that we did not hesitate to say ‘yes’ to.
“Rochdale in Bloom has a history of helping to create features that commemorate people who have served their country, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This project is once again a great example of different groups working together in cooperation to create something meaningful in our town.”
John Rodgers, vice president and vice chairman of Rochdale & District Fusiliers’ Association, said: “Many Burma Star Holders from this area were also members of the Rochdale and District Fusiliers’ Association. Over the years, approximately 56,000 Burma Star holders – or holders of the Pacific Star with ‘Burma clasp’ - joined the Burma Star Association.
“Sadly, the Burma Star Association as a charity will close on 15 August 2020, the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day.
“This medal was awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in the Burma Campaign from 1941 to 1945, during the Second World War. As well as British Army units, many of its units were from the Indian Army and there were also significant contributions from West and East African divisions.
“They called themselves the forgotten army - they will never be forgotten here.”
Plans are in the works for the Fusiliers’ Association to mark VJ Day over the weekend of August 15 and 16, with details to be confirmed.
The floral tribute takes the place of the display usually created for the Royal Horticultural Society’s flower show in Cheshire’s Tatton Park in July, which is not going ahead this year amidst the ongoing lockdown.
●●Coun Janet Emsley, Mayor, Coun Billy Sheerin, (front), Tracy Hibbert, Streetscene Operations Manager, Rochdale Borough Council (middle), and Harry Bell, Patrick Watson, and branch secretary Barry Brierley of the Rochdale Fusiliers’ Association in front of the new Burma Star floral tribute at Broadfield Slopes.