WW1 fallen are remembered in special tribute
THOSE from Stockport who lost their lives in World War I have been commemorated 100 years on with a picture of their front door.
St George’s Church, in Heaviley, has been given a £6,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the We Will Remember Them project.
Part of it has seen parishioners research each name on St George’s War Memorial and take a picture of the front door they left behind to fight in the war.
There is also be a biography of the individual and each one has been presented on a ‘street’ within the church, on Buxton Road.
A commemorative service was also held last month to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of St Julien, near Ypres, where more than 100 men from Stockport were killed and many more injured.
Among those to attend was Mayor Linda Holt, who also travelled with Stockport and Tameside Veterans to Belgium for a service to commemorate the lives that were lost from the borough at Passchendaele.
Councillor Holt said: “I was extremely proud to make the journey to Belgium with some inspira- tional men, local veterans from Stockport and the surrounding areas.
“It is so important that 100 years on we do not forget that so many people made such sacrifices.
“Their bravery must be remembered from generation to generation.”
The We Will Remember Them project could be viewed for free at St George’s during its participation in the national Heritage Open Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
Also on display was a net of 2,828 knitted poppies, one for each name on war memorials in Stockport, made by parishioners and the community and hung from the lantern gallery.
And a display of photographs, newspaper clippings, documents and letters looked at how neighbouring St George’s Primary was used as a military hospital.
The Rev Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall, from the church, said: “We were delighted to have received the support of the National Lottery.
“It means we were able to interpret afresh this important story and commemorate and give honour to those who have died.
“The project enabled people in Stockport to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through World War I.”