West Lancashire falls silent to remember fallen heroes

Nov 15 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

CROWDS gathered across West Lancashire to remember the war dead on Remembrance Sunday.

Services were held in Ormskirk, Skelmersdale and Burscough, while parish councils in Aughton, Lathom and Up Holland also arranged parades and ceremonies.

In Ormskirk, the parade assembled at St Anne’s RC Church before marching to the relocated war memorial in Coronation Park. It was the first year of crowds – including Fleet Air Arm veteran William Thane – paying respects at the new memorial following its move from the Comrades Club. A respectful silence was held at the site, along with the Last Post, the laying of the wreaths and Reveille.

West Lancs mayor Cllr Paul Greenall, wearing his grandfather’s First World War medals, spoke of his and wife Louise’s grandfathers’ experiences on the Western Front at the formal service at Ormskirk Parish Church.

The mayor also attended the service in Burscough, at the war memorial on Junction Lane, where a wreath was laid. There was also a service at HMS Ringtail monument off Pippin Street.

Skelmersdale’s parade marched from Whitemoss Road to the Sandy Lane memorial for a service and wreath laying.