Where to honour the fallen
COMMEMORATIVE services and events will be held throughout the borough on Remembrance Sunday (November 11) to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.
A century since the armistice in 1918, residents will turn out to honour fallen soldiers.
The Mayor of Stockport, Coun Walter Brett, will lead attendees in paying their respects at the Civil Act of Remembrance on the steps of Stockport War Memorial.
There will be a twominute silence at 11am, starting with the Last Post, and after prayers, hymns and reflections, wreaths will be laid on the steps of the memorial.
Coun Brett said: “This is a key opportunity to honour servicemen and women of this country and the Commonwealth who paid the ultimate price.
“I would encourage Stockport residents to join us in remembering them, particularly as this year marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.”
In addition to services held across the borough, thee will be a special commemorative service at St Mary’s in the Marketplace at 5pm on Sunday, November 11, as part of the Stockport Remembers tribute.
Following the service, a ‘parade of light’ will process through the town centre, culminating in a beacon lighting at the steps of Stockport War Memorial outside the art gallery at 6.50pm. ●●STOCKPORT:
10.20am – Procession of service units, exservicemen’s, civilian and youth organisations from the armoury to the war memorial
10.50am - Civic procession from the town hall to the war memorial
11am - Two-minute silence
Civic Act of Remembrance
Placing of wreaths on the steps The National Anthem Relaying of wreaths in Hall of Memory by Naval Sea Cadets (after service) ●●BRAMHALL:
10.30am - Procession from Holland Road to Bramhall war memorial
11am - Service at the war memorial ●●BREDBURY:
3pm - Service at the war memorial on George Lane ●●CHEADLE:
10.30am - Parade to assemble at junction of Massie Street with the High Street to proceed down the High Street to the war memorial
10.50am - Service at the war memorial ●●CHEADLE Hulme:
9.40am – Parade meets at Beech Road
9.55am – Parade departs to the war memorial
10am – Service at the war memorial ●●COMPSTALL:
10.50am - Laying of wreaths at the war memorial on Compstall Brow prior to a service at St Paul’s Church ●●GATLEY:
10.45am - Service of Remembrance at the war memorial on Gatley Green ●●HAZEL Grove:
10.45am - Service and laying of wreaths at the war memorial on London Road ●●HEALD Green:
Noon - Service and laying of wreaths at the Heald Green and Long Lane war memorial on Wilmslow Road ●●HEATON Mersey:
10.45am - Service at St John’s Church on St John’s Road
11am - Act of Remembrance at the war memorial ●●HEATON Moor:
10.45am – Service at St Paul’s Church on St Paul’s Road.
11am - Act of Remembrance at the war memorial ●●HIGH Lane:
10am - Service of Remembrance at St Thomas’s Parish Church.
Laying of wreaths at the war memorial at the conclusion of the service
11am - Act of Remembrance at the war memorial ●●MARPLE:
10.15am - Standard bearers and the public to assemble at the war memorial in Memorial Park
10.30am - Service to commence ●●MELLOR:
12.15pm - Laying of wreaths at the war memorial ●●REDDISH:
10.30am - Church Service at St Mary’s Church
12.30pm - Parade leaves St Mary’s Church
12.50pm - Service at the Cenotaph
1pm - Service proceed to Willow Grove Cemetery
1.05pm- Service at the cross of sacrifice
1.20pm - Return to St Mary’s Church ●●ROMILEY:
2.30pm - Assemble at Green Lane next to the Duke of York Hotel
2.45pm - Prayers at Romiley war memorial and the laying of wreaths
2.55pm - Parade from Romiley war memorial to the war memorial on George Lane, Bredbury
3pm - Service commences ●●WOODFORD:
10.30am - Service and the laying of wreaths at Christ Church on Chester Road.
His brother Alan, Cheshire Regiment, is in hospital in Yorkshire, wounded for the third time, having also served three years in France and Italy. STOCKPORT Lads Club
To all members who have so worthily upheld the Honour of Old England, the Committee send their
HEARTY GREETINGS, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS
And in the Hour of Victory wish to say “STOCKPORT IS PROUD OF YOU”
John A. Fletcher, Secretary
A H. Thorpe, Capt. (Hon Sec)
Arthur Williams (Hon Sec) ●●THE STOCKPORT COUNTY BOROUGH EXPRESS (Thursday, November 14)
End of the war Stockport’s reception of the news.
At 11am on Monday hostilities ceased on the terms of an armistice which is practically an unconditional surrender by Germany to the allies, and the greatest and cruellest war in history – to quote the words of Mr Lloyd George – came to an end.
All over the country the dignified constraint maintained so effectively during all phases of the momentous four years’ struggle was relaxed in favour of joyous demonstrations, although not to such an extent as to suggest that people were unmindful of the distressed feelings of those amongst us who had lost dear ones in the conflict with the Huns.
In a word, the outburst of joy stopped short of mere mafficking – at any rate on Monday. Happenings in London on Tuesday are to be regretted.
As early as nine o’clock on Monday, news came through to Stockport that the Armistice had been signed during the early hours of the morning (as a fact it was signed at 5pm) and on the strength of this being true a flag was seen waving gaily at Wellington Road South.
The majority of folk, however, preferred to wait for confirmatory news, and when it did come about 11 o’clock through the press, as if by magic, a great wealth of national flags made an appearance.
Young folk walked the streets carrying miniature Union Jacks and as soon as possible from the stately heights of mills and factories the old flag which has so often symbolised liberty in all parts of the world occupied a distinguished position, whilst the bells were rung at St Mary’s and St George’s, and the flag hoisted at the Town Hall, and very soon political clubs and other institutions had followed suit.
At private houses of all descriptions, as well as on motor cars, cycles and vehicles, flags were displayed, horses often being gaily draped with national emblems.
At munition works there was immediate cessation of operations, and the main thoroughfares became alive between 12 and 2 with happy-faced work people going home from the mills unshackled for a time from toil.
Many of the girls waved small flags and exchanged cheery greetings with any wounded soldiers they happened to meet, whilst references to the flight of the Kaiser were often tinged with irony in very original settings.
During the afternoon the principal streets were very animated, with people on holiday in high good humour, and although there was nothing more to do than parade aimlessly up and down, they seemed to derive considerable satisfaction from the exercise, the younger folk varying matters now and then with snatches of song.
Early in the afternoon the tramcar service in Stockport was suspended, possibly in sympathy with the movement amongst the men which stopped the Manchester cars altogether eventually.
There were big queues in St Petersgate about 3 o’clock for these cars, but persons who travelled by them to the city tell remarkable stories as to their slow progress amidst big crowds when they got there, and the impossibility of getting any refreshments, and when they wished to return at night they had uncomfortable experiences in getting train accommodation, for no train cars were then running.
However, it all made ‘Peace Day’ the more memorable, and we cannot hear of anyone being the worse for the buffeting associated with the outing. At night, in various parts of town, there were displays of coloured lights and the discharge of rockets, so dear to the hearts of juveniles, whilst at a number of houses the withdrawal of lighting restrictions was taken full advantage of, the gas and electric and illuminations being quite brilliant.
At a cottage house in Dialstone Lane a number of candles were to be seen burning outside one of the windows until a late hour.
The picture houses and other places of entertainment were crowded, and those who could not get seats contented themselves with enjoying the fine night in the streets and discussing the latest details relating to the historic armistice as contained in the evening papers.
Others in a more serious and reflective mood attended religious services, where thanks were returned to Almighty God for the great victory accorded to those who have fought so valiantly for the lasting principles enshrined in the great ideal.
In the late hours of the evening, as the sounds of joy and gratification were gradually dying away, and the town resumed a normal quietude, the words of the poet Whittler – addressed to Italy, now our gallant Ally – appealed with singular force:
Yet, surely as He lives, the day
Of peace He promised shall be ours,
To fold the flags of war and lay
Its sword and spear to rust away,
And sow its ghastly fields with flowers. On Tuesday afternoon and evening the town bore very much a holiday appearance, crowds of people being about ‘at a loose end.’
In many streets there were very striking displays of flags, etc.
In the evening a thanksgiving service was held at the Parish Church, Market Place, amongst those present being the Mayor (Coun T Rowbotham, JP), accompanied by the town clerk (Mr Robert Hyde). The procession of clergy and choir from the vestry was led by the two senior wardens, Mr T Clayo and Mr Joseph Blackshaw, the former carrying the Union Jack and the latter the White Ensign, which he held crossed in view of the congregation whilst the National Anthem was sung.
Revs. Adams and Smith officiated. At the close of the service, Mr Sidebottom, played on the organ the Halleuiah Chorus.
At Tuesday’s police court there was not a single charge of drunkenness or misconduct preferred – a fact which speaks well for our town.
At the YMCA club in Wellington Street soldiers have gathered in large numbers during the week, chiefly patients at the military hospitals in the town and district.
On Monday evening there was a big influx of men of the United States Army, and during Tuesday the resources of the ladies on the staff were severely taxed.
The men were in a very jubilant mood, and the ‘close of the war’s alarms’ will doubtless in many cases facilitate recovery.
Not a few of the men, taking ‘French leave,’ failed to turn in at their hospital at customary time, having been to places of amusement, but doubtless the hospital staff had a blind eye in such cases, the circumstances being so unusual.