A veteran who made a huge difference to the borough's armed forces community during his life is set to be honoured with a parade and a street bearing his name.
Colonel Eric Davidson, DL, MBE, organised Bury's annual Remembrance Day parade for almost 50 years before his death in May 2022, aged 84.
Colonel Eric, who was a deputy commandant for Lancashire and Merseyside Army Cadet Force, will be honoured with a parade this weekend as a road in Hawkshaw is named after him.
Spenleach Lane, which leads to Holcombe Moor Training Camp off Bolton Road, will be renamed Col Eric Davidson Way.
The new road signs will be officially unveiled at an event at 10am on Sunday, March 17 by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins.
Colonel Eric settled in Bury in 1963, and began planning Bury’s Remembrance Day parade in 1967 and continued to do so for almost half a century.
He worked as an accident prevention officer for Bury police, helping to ensure the route was safe and arranging the necessary highway closures, became a member of the Regimental Council in Lancashire, the founder and president of the Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire) and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant in 2002.
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Following his death after suffering with cancer, The Fusiliers Museum led tributes to Colonel Eric, saying: “[He was] a key supporter and trustee of this museum for the last 25 years.
“We owe so much to him for his continued support, guidance and friendship over the years and he has undoubtedly played a fundamental role in our success.”
Colonel Eric’s wife Marjorie and family from Bury will attend the ceremony along with Bury Council leader Cllr Eamonn O’Brien.
A flag from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will be draped over the road sign at the ceremony also attended by Bury mayor, Cllr Sandra Walmsley, and Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sharman Birtles, Honorary Colonel of the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force.
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The Cadet Band will play in his honour. The training camp is owned by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.
Colonel Eric was made an honorary Freeman of Bury in 2015 and awarded an MBE in 2008.
Reflecting on honour, he said: “Everything I do on a voluntary basis is for the benefit of other people.
"I have never expected an award. I am not someone to shout from the roofs about what I do.”
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