BACUP CEMETERY
Poppy Crosses laid next to the Memorial 2016
|
As part of our on-going commitment to the 135 veterans that are either buried or have been commemorated on family plot.
|
|
Dedication Service Friday 11th September
Veterans In Communities held a dedication service on Friday 11th September at Bacup Cemetery. We have finished the laying of 135 headstones for the soldiers who died during the First War World, some are buried in the cemetery and some are buried overseas where they fell but remembered on family headstones.
We invited a number of dignatories and family members, and pictures of the service can be viewed.......
We have produced a list of those soldiers buried and remembered in Bacup Cemetery and a book has been produced by Wendy Lord called 'Where Heroes Rest The Great War Dead of Bacup Cemetery'.
We invited a number of dignatories and family members, and pictures of the service can be viewed.......
We have produced a list of those soldiers buried and remembered in Bacup Cemetery and a book has been produced by Wendy Lord called 'Where Heroes Rest The Great War Dead of Bacup Cemetery'.
Volunteer Leads for our War graves projects -' Our unseen heroes'
Bill Ogden - Volunteer Lead
Bill works full-time as a Business Support Manager for East Division of the Lancashire Constabulary. He started his service career with the Fusiliers and transferred to the Royal Signals, where he completed 25 years service. Bill joined VIC in April 2014 to assist on the war graves in Bacup, due to his work commitments he was only able to work on Fridays and occasional weekends where he spent a great many hours researching the WW1 soldiers and sailors who died during the First World War and laying many of the 135 headstones in Bacup Cemetery.
Bill says he likes to get involved in the community element of VIC as he works in a pressured environment during the week and volunteering with VIC gives him a great sense of enjoyment, satisfaction, meeting new people and helping other veterans whom are experiencing difficulties with transitioning to civilian life. He has an interest in history and especially World War One................. And he wants world peace!!!!!!
Bill says he likes to get involved in the community element of VIC as he works in a pressured environment during the week and volunteering with VIC gives him a great sense of enjoyment, satisfaction, meeting new people and helping other veterans whom are experiencing difficulties with transitioning to civilian life. He has an interest in history and especially World War One................. And he wants world peace!!!!!!
Mick Armstrong
Mick works part-time as Judo Coach, teaching young people across Rochdale. He served 5 years with the Irish Rangers. He joined VIC as a volunteer in April 2014 to work on our community projects alongside Bill. Like Bill he says he likes to get involved in the community element of VIC and volunteering with VIC gives him a great sense of enjoyment, satisfaction, meeting new people and helping other veterans whom are experiencing difficulties with transitioning to civilian life. He has an interest in history and especially World War One................. And he says he likes digging up the past!!!!!!
Our research has found there are approximately 680 WW1 servicemen buried in the cemeteries in Rossendale. These records showed that only 60 were recorded to be buried in Bacup Cemetery, so we are expecting to find more than these 680 once we start to look at the next project covering the period 1915 - 1918.
Using the experiences we have gained from Bacup Cemetery will allow us to complete this huge task that we have set us ourselves in time for armistice day 11th November 2018.
Using the experiences we have gained from Bacup Cemetery will allow us to complete this huge task that we have set us ourselves in time for armistice day 11th November 2018.
Background
In 2013 local Councillors and Stacksteads Countryside Park Group asked whether VIC would be interested in doing something with them to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War. Some of the graves in Bacup cemetery either were in need of some remedial work or the graves were unmarked. After consultation with our members we decided it would be worthwhile project for our members to get involved with as it gives us an opportunity to honour and respect those who made the ultimate sacrifice. VIC members have already formed a sub group responsible Operation War Graves 100 and this sub group will liaise with representatives from public, private, third sector organisations, local communities and families to get them involved in this project.
There are a number of WW2 Commonwealth War Graves (CWG) in Bacup cemetery, but there were no WW1 CWG. The current condition of the marked graves is poor and were in need of work get them up to a satisfactory standard for 2014. There had been some research undertaken at Bacup Cemetery by a local historian Wendy Lord who produced a book called 'Where Heroes Rest, The Great War Dead of Bacup Cemetery'. This will form the basis of further research by VIC and together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission we can build a database of all those who served and died between 1914 – 1919 (many more died of injuries sustained after the Armistice and through influenza) .
Scope of Operation War Graves 100 (2014 - 2018)
The purpose of the project aims to bring together public, private, local communities and third sector organisations to honour and pay their respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice not only in WW1 but other wars and conflicts the UK have been involved post WW1. This project does not to wish to glorify war, condone, or support any political views on the deployment that our armed forces are committed to by past, present and future governments . Irrespective of individual’s opinions in our deployments, there is a strong national support for the armed forces and the role they play in the defence of the country. This has been very evident in the recent homecoming parades.
VIC made an application to the National Heritage Lottery for a grant to fund the first stage of the project, this meant that we could not start any work at Bacup Cemetery until we had confirmation of funding. November 2013 we had confirmation that we had been successful for £10K grant and work could commence.
There are a number of WW2 Commonwealth War Graves (CWG) in Bacup cemetery, but there were no WW1 CWG. The current condition of the marked graves is poor and were in need of work get them up to a satisfactory standard for 2014. There had been some research undertaken at Bacup Cemetery by a local historian Wendy Lord who produced a book called 'Where Heroes Rest, The Great War Dead of Bacup Cemetery'. This will form the basis of further research by VIC and together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission we can build a database of all those who served and died between 1914 – 1919 (many more died of injuries sustained after the Armistice and through influenza) .
Scope of Operation War Graves 100 (2014 - 2018)
The purpose of the project aims to bring together public, private, local communities and third sector organisations to honour and pay their respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice not only in WW1 but other wars and conflicts the UK have been involved post WW1. This project does not to wish to glorify war, condone, or support any political views on the deployment that our armed forces are committed to by past, present and future governments . Irrespective of individual’s opinions in our deployments, there is a strong national support for the armed forces and the role they play in the defence of the country. This has been very evident in the recent homecoming parades.
VIC made an application to the National Heritage Lottery for a grant to fund the first stage of the project, this meant that we could not start any work at Bacup Cemetery until we had confirmation of funding. November 2013 we had confirmation that we had been successful for £10K grant and work could commence.
WW1 Graves and locations
Stages of preparing the graves and laying of each headstone
Princes Trust support to VIC at Bacup Cemetery
OUR First
World War veterans’ graves project was given a boost by young volunteers in
July.
Twelve young people from Accrington and Rossendale on a 12-week Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Prince’s Trust Team programme. Many of the young people on the programme were NEET – Not in Education Employment or Training. Some have learning difficulties and some have found school difficult.
The two-week community project saw the team using maps to locate the hidden graves, digging out the marker stones and then preparing the ground for the new memorial stone. They completed 20 headstones and prepared the foundations for a further 8 graves.
At the end of the two-week they had a presentation to show to their family and friends of the work they had done. The Mayor of Rossendale thanked them and they were presented with a certificate.
Twelve young people from Accrington and Rossendale on a 12-week Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Prince’s Trust Team programme. Many of the young people on the programme were NEET – Not in Education Employment or Training. Some have learning difficulties and some have found school difficult.
The two-week community project saw the team using maps to locate the hidden graves, digging out the marker stones and then preparing the ground for the new memorial stone. They completed 20 headstones and prepared the foundations for a further 8 graves.
At the end of the two-week they had a presentation to show to their family and friends of the work they had done. The Mayor of Rossendale thanked them and they were presented with a certificate.