SEA OF POPPIES RECALLS THE FALLEN
Steel artworks in memorial garden
A MEMORIAL poppy garden has been created to commemorate soldiers who left their village to fight in the First World War but never returned.
The Royal British Legion and Realise charity have worked together to create the garden, which will honour the 123 soldiers from Silverdale who gave their lives 100 years ago. It will be sited at Church Street, Silverdale, next to St Luke the Evangelist’s Church.
The memorial features a remembrance pathway, plaque and landscaped garden surrounded by 123 steel poppies, which have been crafted by local apprentices from PM Training.
Will Nixon, Trustee of Realise charity, said: “One hundred years ago the First World War ended and the world we live in today was shaped forever.
“The poppy garden is a great project to be involved in and a wonderful opportunity for local people to remember those who served, sacrificed and changed our world.”
Annemarie Jones, community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion, said: “This year, the Legion is inviting the public to say thankyou to those who served, sacrificed and changed our world – those who fell on the battlefields, those who returned and those who served on the home front, in the farms and factories.
“The poppy garden is therefore a brilliant example of how we can recognise that generation’s courage and sacrifices”
The memorial poppy garden will be unveiled on Sunday. The charities have asked communities, businesses and individuals to make a donation to support the project.
Profits will be donated to the Royal British Legion to help support Staffordshire veterans, soldiers and their families. ■ Donate at realisefoundation.org. uk/poppygarden/ THE 123 soldiers remembered include Gunner Joseph Bloor, of 93 Church Street, Silverdale, who was killed during the Battle of the Somme, on July 1, 1916.
Joseph’s friend, Gunner Tom Amson, of Burslem – who served with him in the Royal Field Artillery – had searched for him after the day’s fighting was over. Tom wrote in his diary: “Went with Goodall to find out about Bloor. Heaps of dead lying about trenches.”
Another was Charles Alfred Marsh, a cabinet maker from 7 Crown Street, Silverdale.
He was shot and killed by a German sniper near Ypres on July 26, 1916.
Charles was married to Lillian Marsh (nee Moores) and was the father of one child, Lillian Joyce Doreen Marsh.
George Davies, a 33-year-old miner, left his wife Annie and young son Harold behind at 51 Vale Pleasant, Silverdale, to fight with the East Kent Regiment. He was killed on the Somme on September 15, 1916.