Battle Of The Somme centenary is marked
FORMER Armed Forces personnel have honoured the fallen and their families in Runcorn 100 years on from the start of the Battle Of The Somme.
Runcorn Veterans Association (RVA) held a service at 7.30am at Runcorn Cenotaph on Greenway Road, attended by residents, pupils from The Grange School, First World War troops’ descendants and members who had served in conflicts from the Second World War through to the present day.
The RVA laid a memorial plaque based on the ‘death penny’ or ‘dead man’s penny’ given to blood relatives to represent loved ones who fought and died on the First World War battlefields.
Runcorn residents also paid homage to fallen heroes by laying white crosses and hold a service read by minister David Hey.
A whistle blew at 7.30am to mark the moment soldiers from 5th 9th 10th 11th and 13th Cheshire Regiments went over the top, many to be slaughtered.
Halton Royal British Legion in Halton Village also hosted a service, attended by Halton mayor Ged Philbin.
Billy Jones, RVA chairman, said: “With over 40 people attending this ceremonial commemorative event, we also had eight Second World War veterans with us. Helsby Longden arranged a 1920s bus to pick them up and take them to breakfast, where we, the rest of the RVA members, met up at Palacefields Community Centre for a breakfast with approximately 25 of us.
“I, as chairman, founder and veteran, wish to thank all Runcorn residents who came that early in the morning to attend this historic event and to volunteers Ian Turner, Tom Bennett, Keith Ross, Chris Leach, Duaine Roberts David Hey, Eddie Holden, Billy Jones and staff from Palacefields Community Centre who laid on the breakfast and Four Estates for their contribution in their support in the days events.”