Soldiers gather to honour fallen (From Bury Times)

Soldiers gather to honour fallen

1:10pm Friday 30th July 2010

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Fusiliers will turn out in force on Sunday to remember the brave soldiers who fought at the Battle of Minden 251 years ago.

A service is to be held at Gallipoli Garden in Bury, the first time the Minden Day commemoration has been held there.

The Regimental Association will form in the garden from 11.30am in time for the service to start at noon.

It will be a drum head service, a traditional military form of worship in which the regimental drums are stacked to form an altar, because a church or other suitable building was not available. The Lancashire Fusiliers’ silver memorial drums will be used to form the altar for the service, which will be taken by the Rector of Bury, the Rev John Findon.

The families of eight Fusiliers who lost their lives in the service of their country will be taking part in this year’s event.

Before the service, they will be presented with the Elizabeth Cross by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith, and the Commander of 42 (North West) Brigade, Brigadier Bill Aldridge, in a private ceremony.

The Lancashire Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will play at Gallipoli Garden at 1pm after the drum head service.

The day will remember the Battle of Minden, which took place on August 1, 1759.

During the battle, the 20th Foot — later the Lancashire Fusiliers and now the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers — achieved fame by destroying several attacks by French cavalry.

The 20th Foot were excused further duty on the frontline because of their bravery and the number of casualties suffered, but they requested to resume their place in the line the following day.

For more than 250 years, in honour of this achievement, members of the regiment wear a combination of red and yellow roses on Minden Day.

Colonel Brian Gorski, colonel of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire), said: “Minden is an important battle honour for the Fusiliers and will be celebrated on this day by Fusiliers, no matter where they are serving.”

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