Memorial

Challenge 30 – No9

Monuments

Older than me

For this challenge, I scoured the archive of my photos looking for an old photo…..I didn’t find one (Ha Ha) but among my archive I did find this

Stowell Spire


The old spire of Stowell Memorial Church

Just up the road from where I live in Salford. It was built in the 19th Century, and the spire still shows the date on when it was first built.

Upon its decommission as a church the spire was given a bit of a spruce up and is now a local landmark by the entrance to the motorway.

I wrote an acrostic on the spire – and you should find it below in the related section.

Poppies

Army, Art, Poetry, Remembrance, War

DSC_0064.JPG

Wave – On display outside Imperial War Museum North , Manchester (p) Brian F Kirkham Sept 2018

Red poppies are flowing down the top of the earth shard of IWM North

Each poppy was created to remember those who fell in the war to end all wars

Memorial to the host of soldiers who went to the front

Expecting to be home by Christmas

Men not only from the home nations,

But the commonwealth and allies from Europe too

Regiments who met and fought on a field in flanders

As part of the first world war centenary, this artwork is a

Noted reminder, of those who went away to fight and

Came to rest in a foreign field

Each one remembered in the symbol of the poppy

Manchester

Acrostic, Cities, Cityscapes, Memorial, Poetry

Manchester

Heritage pic

An acrostic in memoriam to those affected by the Manchester Arena Bomb

My sister city
As days go on
Never forget those
Cherished individuals
Heaven’s doors are surely open
Everyone remember those who fell – but
Stay strong – don’t allow
Those who did this to win
Everyone knows what a great place you are
Rejoice in remembering the good times ahead

A Busman’s Holiday (with a Lancastrian Twist)

Army, Memorial, Military, Museums, Photography, Places, Travel, War

22nd June 2016

Today I took my camera on the tram to Bury, and met up with fellow Imperial War Museum (North) volunteers at the regimental museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers.

IMG_20160622_143524_burst_03.jpg

The Lancashire Fusiliers fought in battles all over the world during their time as a regiment in the United Kingdom, and this museum documented some of the stories as well as the history of the regiment.  The bronze globe reminded me of IWM North’s building – “the shattered globe” as the wire frame showed all the places where the regiment fought in conflict.

1466603016502

During world war one , and the Gallipoli campaign,  Six Victoria Crosses were issued to men of the Lancashire fusiliers to honour the regiment for their bravery.  They’re known as the “Six VCs before breakfast”.  A painting depicting the scene is on display by this picture.

1466602664490

For those who needed to know about the army and its structures – a helpful guide was on hand to show how the companies of men were formed.

1466602716739

In addition to the Uniforms – several weapons were on display, such as the Rifles used by the men of the fusiliers.  In addition to our walk around, we were given an interesting talk by a member of the fusiliers who now works at the museum.

The Fusiliers are now part of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.  This museum honoured those who fought and served in the regiment.

There is a memorial garden in the grounds of the museum containing the local cenotaph, whilst research facilities are available to search through museum archives.

 

1466602974081

Lancashire Fusiliers Arms

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembrance Sunday

Memorial, Poppy, Remembrance, War
Poppy

It was Remembrance Sunday today.

I went to church this morning at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Josephs RC in Ordsall, Salford, where we remembered all those who fell in conflict.  The church Belfry was rebuilt in 1924 as a Memorial to those who died in the first world war and the Altar Windows commemorate those who lost their lives in the Second World War.  A poppy wreath was laid before the Offertory procession.

What made it poignant was the fact the procession of the poppy wreath was led by the Junior members of the congregation.  Alan, a senior member of the congregation gave the solemn promise that goes back to the original time

“At the going down of the sun…we will remember them”

IWM North will be commemorating Remembrance week this week,  I wrote an acrostic last year in commemoration of the occasion.  The link is below.

https://inkdropblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/16/remembrance/

Remembrance

Poetry

Remembrance

By Brian F Kirkham

7th October 2011

Written by the author for IWM North

Red poppies sway in the Belgian air,
Ever in thanks for the selfless act of those comrades in arms
Making their way, from every village and town
Each individual, with dedication to duty
Made their way to a field in Flanders, a field now
Bearing the scars of war.
Reflect – and give thanks, to that
Army of Men
Never forget – the selflessness of all those
Chosen and called up to arms.
Each one someones father, someones son