Introduction to Nelson's War Memorial

Nelson has never had a war memorial with the names of the men and women who have given their lives for their country.  All this changed on Saturday 17th October 2009 when a new memorial was unveiled by Lord Shuttleworth HM Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.  For many years people have campaigned for a memorial carrying the names of the men and women of Nelson who laid down their lives for their country.  Fred Stringer spent the last five or six years compiling, researching and verifying names for a memorial.  The result has been 1390 names, 1 from the South African War 1899-1902, 1132 from WW1, 1914-1918, 253 from WW2 ,1939-1945, 2 from National Service, 1946-1963 and 2 from Northern Ireland.

The memorial is a modern one, designed by Dave Palmer.  The names have been etched onto Acrylic by Pendle Signs & Plastics and the ten panels, protected by armoured glass, are mounted in iron frames which are clad with York Stone to give a pleasing effect, in harmony with the surrounding buildings.  The names are lit from top and bottom within the panels.  A stone Cross of Sacrifice and a Scout monument are mounted close by and all are in front of the library.  The area has been renamed Memorial Square and is floodlit at night.  The work has been carried out as part of Phase 1 of the Regeneration of Nelson Centre Project funded by the North West Development Association.  The Nelson Committee of Pendle Council, ably chaired by Councillor George Adam, started the memorial project off with a grant of £10,000 and Councillor Adam has been particularly active in seeing the project come to fruition.  The actual ceremony details were the work of Janice Taylor and Michael Sutcliff of the Nelson and District Branch of the Royal British Legion.

The dedication was carried out by The Rev Major John Hallows B.A. T.A. and the reading given by Mr. David Finch, RBL.  The exhortations were read by Lt. Col.(ret) J. Downham, President Lancashire County Royal British Legion and Mr. Norman Whittaker, President Nelson & District Royal British Legion.   Also present were the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mrs C.F.Reynolds, the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Marjorie Adams, Armed Forces were represented by officers from, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Fusiliers, Irish and Grenadier Guards, RAMC, RA, RN, RAF, Anglian Regiment and the Canadian Military Attaché Lt.Col. Janelle.  Representatives of the Salvation Army, Police and Fire and Rescue Service and about 30 relatives of men whose names were on the memorial were present.  Twenty three standards were present from various branches of the Royal British Legion,  Regimental Associations, Cadet Forces, and  St John Ambulance.  About 40 cadets from the local Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force cadet units were on parade.  After the ceremony the Nelson & District Branch RBL hosted a lunch at the nearby ACE Centre in Nelson.

The memorial will receive a Royal accolade when the Duke of Kent will be present at Armistice Day Ceremony on 11th November 2009.

Here are some photographs to commorate the occaision.

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