11:52am Wednesday 28th February 2007
By Lindsay Hoyle
Last week I joined local military historians and veterans to launch a campaign for a memorial to be erected for the Chorley Pals.
I have been working closely with Steve Williams, local World War One historian, as Co-Founder of a Committee to run the campaign and help raise funds.
The campaign centres upon raising funds to have a statue of a PALS soldier erected with the names of all the Chorley Pals who departed Chorley on 23rd February 1915 engraved onto a plinth.
Chorley Building Society have agreed to open an account for individuals to make donations and expressed their support for the project by kick-starting the fund with a donation of £500.
Unfortunately the majority of Chorley Pals never returned after taking part in the Battle of the Somme.
The fact that no memorial to these brave men has ever been erected is an injustice I want to see put right.
I believe that local people will rally to this cause and help raise the funds we need for a statue to be erected in the Town Centre.
Many residents had family members who joined the PALS and a memorial is long overdue in order to honour their memory.
A website has also been established and people can find out more information at the address below.
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