Press release -
England's Finest Fusiliers!
The Fusilier Museum leads Bury in marking St George's and Gallipoli Day
The Fusiliers Museum will once again be leading Bury in marking St George's and Gallipoli Day, with a full weekend of events starting on Saturday 27th April.
2013 marks the 98th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli which was launched between British and French forces to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed and resulted in extensive casualties on both sides.
The landing, on the peninsula of Gallipoli saw the Lancashire Fusiliers experience heavy casualties with only 400 Fusiliers left to overwhelm enemy defences. Due to their contribution, the battalion was awarded the famous “six Victoria Crosses before breakfast”.
Further honours which were awarded to the Lancashire Fusiliers included 3 Companion of the Bath, 8 Distinguished Service Orders, 25 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 10 Military Crosses.
To open the commemorations, The Fusilier Museum will be hosting a FREE military history talk at 2.30pm on Saturday 27th April, all about the Lancashire Fusiliers in Gallipoli. Places will be limited so get there in plenty of time.
On Saturday evening there will be an all ranks reunion in the Ballroom in the Castle Armoury Drill Hall. Tickets are available from the museum at a cost of £10 and include a hot supper.
On Sunday VIPs, members of the public, veterans and current serving members of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and museum staff will be attending the annual church service and parade to honour in the traditional manner those that died on the beaches at Gallipoli. This will be followed by a VIP lunch at the Fusilier Museum.
The St Georges and Gallipoli Day Parade will assemble at the Castle Armoury at 10.40am on the Sunday morning in advance of the church service which starts at 12.00 noon. At 1.00pm the people of Bury will line the streets to watch the parade which will set off from the church to march around the town centre. This patriotic spectacle will be led by The Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire) and includes members of the Territorial Army, Fusiliers Association, 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital, Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force and Bury and Radcliffe Sea Cadets (TS Scorpion).
Colonel Brian Gorski MBE, Chairman of The Fusiliers Museum, said: “The Gallipoli Commemorations are very important for the Fusilier Museum.
“Throughout the year the Museum remembers the people that served in the Regiment, but during the Gallipoli Commemorations we remember the bravery and gallantry of the Lancashire Fusiliers who lost their lives on the beaches at Gallipoli. In two years time we will be honouring the 100 year anniversary.
“Naturally, at this time of year our concerns for those currently serving in the Regiment are brought into sharper focus, and our thoughts are with all those currently serving in 1RRF in Afghanistan and their families. We wish them every success and a safe return.”
The Fusilier Museum in Bury, Lancashire, is home to the collections of XX The Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Documenting over 300 years of history and heritage through permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Museum tells the rich and fascinating stories of the people who have served and continue to service in the Regiments.
The museum enjoys very close links with the local community and plays a key role in raising funds and injured soldiers from the Regiment and their families.
ENDS
For further media information please contact Helen Smith, The Fusilier Museum, Moss Street, Bury BL9 0DF, helen.smith@fusiliermuseum.com or telephone 0161 763 8950
