Gatley war memorial cleaned up
working for Gatley, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme & Heald Green Learn more
by Lib Dem team on 2 November, 2024
After a request to clean the Gatley War Memorial on Gatley Green local councillors expedited a special steam cleaning and new protection coating for the bronze plaques.
It was important to finish the work before the annual Remembrance Sunday Service.
Cllr. Graham Greenhalgh worked with the Neighbourhood Projects Team to arrange the professional cleaning. They also organised a minor repair to ensure the memorial was ready on time.
The Remembrance Sunday service will be on Gatley Green at 10.55 am on Sunday 10th November.
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Here’s the story of one of the men commemorated on the memorial. Sergeant William Almond served with the 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment (the third of the Regiment’s “Pals” battalions). He was 30 when he was killed in action on 12 October 1916. He is buried in a military cemetery called the AIF Burial Ground at Flers, Somme, France. It’s a cemetery I’ve visited and know the area well as my grandfather served with the 17th Battalion and took part in the same action.
William proved to be a bit of a mystery when I researched the stories of the men on the memorial, nearly two decades ago, as I could not find his connection with Gatley. But this is what I do know
The son of Charles & Elizabeth Almond of 2 Yelvertoft Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton. Sergeant Almond had been born at Orton, Northampton. The 1901 Census shows him still to be living in Northampton and working as a gardener. His connection with the local area is not known. He did, however, enlist in the Battalion in Manchester, so may have worked in the locality. He does not appear to be commemorated on any war memorials in his native area.
Although William has a low service number (15599), he does not appear to have been amongst the original members of the third of the “Pals” Battalions. He will arrived in France and gone on active service as part of one of the drafts of replacements for men killed during the opening Somme battles during July 1916.
On 12 October, an attack had been ordered on a position held by German marines, south of Ligny-Thilloy. The attack was scheduled for 2pm and was preceded by an artillery barrage of the enemy trenches. As the men were preparing to “go over the top”, they saw the Germans leave their trenches and run back 100 yards to avoid the shellfire falling on their front line. As the barrage lifted, the marines ran back to their trenches and manned their machine guns. William and his comrades had 300 yards to cross. It was an impossible task. Many were simply cut down by the devastating fire.
Those that made it to near the German lines were pinned down by enemy artillery fire. They had to take cover in shell holes and hope for the best. They stayed like this throughout the night before they could get back to their own lines. Of the 350 who started out, 250 were killed, wounded or missing.
William is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery just behind the British trenches. His headstone is inscribed “Mors est Janua Vitae” – Death is the Entrance to Life.
Thanks for sharing John
Forgot to include that I’m hoping to pay my respects to William and the other men commemorated on the memorial on Armistice Day, 11 November.
Why is Gatley Memorial Clock not working again.
It is only a few months ago that it was repaired, rewired I think, surely any repairs should have been under warranty.
When can we expect the Memorial Clock to be working again and fully functional in memory of our brave armed forces of the two world wars.
Good point, Keith