Crosses laid in Worksop to commemorate Passchendaele fallen

Crosses were laid by the Royal British Legion, Bassetlaw District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

In a moving service organised by the local branch of the Royal British Legion, 50 crosses were laid in the Memorial Gardens in honour of brave servicemen who lost their lives in the 1917 battle, the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium.

Tributes were laid by Coun Maddy Richardson, Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council; Coun John Handley, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council; Coun Simon Greaves, leader of Bassetlaw District Council; and Coun Sybil Fielding, charter mayor of Worksop.

Also in attendance were Peter Hopkins, Chairman of Nottinghamshire Royal British Legion, and Coun Glynn Gilfoyle, county council member for Worksop East, along with members of the public.

Members of the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters Association paraded their standard and Worksop Air Cadets recited the roll of honour.

Ray Fielding, secretary of the legion’s Worksop branch, said: “This was a very dignified and meaningful event. It was most fitting the Sherwood Foresters were represented and able to parade their standard as well as lay crosses.

“This was an act of remembrance that spanned across all age ranges.

“I would like to pay tribute to 303 Squadron Worksop Air Cadets for their special contribution in recalling the role of honour.”

Following the laying of crosses, a special service took place at Crossing Church, on Newcastle Avenue.

The service was led by the Reverend Geoffrey Clarke, personal chaplain to the Legion branch.

On Friday, November 10, the legion will be laying a wreath at the location at 11am.

The branch is currently “making every effort” to trace servicemen from the Worksop area who gave their lives at Passchendaele.

If any relatives or friends know of anyone who died, they can contact the Legion via www.rbl-worksop.org or by calling 01909 501362.

They will then have the opportunity to lay additional crosses in honour of their loved ones.

Passchendaele was one of the bloodiest battles of World War One, with 700,000 casualties among British, allied and German troops.