CWO Murphy presents a Regimental Mini Colour to Col Brian Gorski MBE
On the 25 April 1915, the 1st Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers struggling through barbed wire and into a hail of deadly Turkish machine gun fire landed at Cape Helles the southernmost tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula in European Turkey. Against all odds and by sheer determination and raw courage, the Battalion gained a precarious foot hold on the peninsula and gained 6 Victoria Crosses in the process, the famous “6 VCs before breakfast”.
This year despite the Eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano in Iceland Drum Major Ian McGibbon and myself had the pleasure of attending Gallipoli Weekend in Bury. We were greeted at the Airport by the The Rev’d Hugh Bearn, Vicar of Tottington (Manchester), who is also Chaplain to the Queen. Hugh is regimental headquarters padre and is also the Father of Freddie who played with the Pipes and Drums during the opening of the Museum. Following Tea and a tour of the Parish it was on to Castle Armoury where we where hosted for the weekend by Ches Hodgson. That first night also included a very long night out in Manchester with WO2 Tony Power (Ret’d) who some of you will remember visited the regiment for the Winter Exercise in Meaford.
We attended the Gallipoli commemoration Dinner on Saturday evening at Radcliffe Civic Hall. There are greetings from everyone to all members of the association from many friends including Joe Eastwood, John O’ Grady, Eric Davidson, Jim Martlew and of course Colonel Brian Gorski, Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire).
The Colours of the Lancashire Fusiliers in Bury, UK
Sunday Began with the parade forming up in Castle Armoury at which time I had the pleasure of presenting the Fusilier Association Lancashire with a miniature of our Regimental Colour, I have been assured that it will find a place of honor in the Fusilier Museum. We then marched to Bury Parish Church which is the garrison church of the Lancashire Fusiliers and for those interested in regimental history a visit to the church is recommended as well as enjoying the dedicated Fusilier Museum, located a few hundred yards away on Broad Street.
Following the church service the parade formed on The Rock and the procession then made its way towards Silver Street, watched by many members of the public. At the front of the procession were the Fusilier Band and Corps of Drums Lancashire, as RSM I even got the Drum Major a Mace (fixed with Scotch Tape from The Robert Peel) and we proudly marched in the procession with the Drum Major leading the parade. BURY town centre came to a standstill to pay tribute to the heroes of Gallipoli who earned the Lancashire Fusiliers their greatest honours. It was probably one of the times that I was most proud that we wear the primrose hackle, the link between our two Regiments. In all around 250 people took part in the annual parade and service which marked the 95th anniversary of Gallipoli. It was then off the Museum for a tour and a few pints. I must say that the Museum is a great place to visit and as the second floor gets completed there will be a larger Lorne Scots Display. We had an excellent trip made all the more enjoyable by our hosts.
Drum Major McGibbon leads the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band in Bury, UK
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