A poignant ceremony took place to honour the only woman in Bolton to die on active service in the First World War, as a memorial recognising her sacrifice was unveiled.
Representatives from the armed services joined local councillors, MPs, Greater Manchester Lord Lieutenant Mrs Diane Hawkins, Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Flight Sergeant Oliver Teggart and the Mayor of Bolton Cllr Andy Morgan for a service on Sunday, in which the statue of Alice Thomasson was unveiled.
The statue has been placed in the Bolton Road Egerton Street triangular junction garden.
A cotton mill worker, Alice joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in late 1917.
She was one of 57,000 women who served between January 1917 and November 1918.
In May 1918 she sailed to France where she was posted to a camp, hospital and army supply depot at Abbeville. But tragedy struck just three days later when the Germans launched a bombing raid.
A bomb landed on the trench where Alice, aged 21, and her colleagues were sheltering, killing her and seven other women.
The women were all buried with full military honours at Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.
The memorial is at Moses Gate, Farnworth, close to where Alice was born and lived.
The sides of the monument now display commemorative plaques previously located in All Saints Church, Devon Street, Moses Gate, until the Church was closed in 2000.
Friends of Moses Gate led by Chairman Jim Clarke campaigned for the memorial, and fundraised to pay for the statue.
READ MORE: Memorial to only Bolton woman to die serving in First World War
Memorial to Alice Thomasson to be unveiled in Moses Gate
Mayor of Bolton Cllr Morgan said: " It was a great honour to have been invited to the event and asked to lay a wreath on behalf of all Bolton residents.
"To hear Alice’s story and meet some of her extended family, one whom had come all the way from New Zealand, was very moving.
"They also allowed me to see original photographs of Alice and her posthumous medal.
"This memorial will also now give a focal point in Farnworth for future remembrance events which will ultimately bring the community together which is a huge added benefit.”
MP for the area Yasmin Qureshi said: "It was a privilege to attend the unveiling of the new war memorial at Moses Gate paying tribute to the fallen of the local area and in tribute to WW1 Field Nurse Alice Thomasson from Moses Gate.
"It will be a fantastic focal point for the community for generations to come."
Members of the public also attended the event, along with the Bolton Caledonian Pipe and Drum Band and Farnworth and Walkden Brass Band.
The service was led by the Rev Gail Scholes. Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Flight Sergeant Oliver Teggart.
The efforts of Jim Clarke, his fundraising efforts to getting people on board, were recognised during the ceremony.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel