Fitting Tommy Tribute unveiled at Rakewood

Tommy Tribute unveiled at Rakewood, Littleborough

Like thousands of towns, villages and neighbourhoods across the country and the world, Littleborough Rugby Club joined their local community to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

On the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, one which saw the end of hostilities in World War One, Littleborough paid their own tribute with the unveiling of a Tommy Soldier Silhouette.

The statue which features the club emblem on it, recognises and commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military as well as civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.

Many of those associated with the club over the years have graced not only the fields of Rakewood but the fields of battle in order to serve and protect this country and others not able to protect their own.

The silhouette which measures at over 6 feet now sits proudly at the front entrance to the Club's ground and was unveiled by Club President Ian Murgatroyd.

A long-standing member and volunteer in many forms, Mr Murgatroyd flanked by former president David Rawlinson, during his speech at the event thanked people for making the journey and standing out in the rain to remember.

He said: “This statue has been funded by the club, hopefully so that we can remember, because that is what this club is all about. Lads who are serving soldiers now, people who have been in service and left and soldiers who have tragically died whilst playing for this rugby club.”

“We have got strong connections between the armed forces and the club and this is not something that we want to forget as we remember them constantly.

“These people put their lives on the line for us and it is something we have got to remember.”

Each Littleborough team that played this past weekend observed a minute’s silence as further tribute and reflection on a sombre yet defining day in history. The Tommy Silhouette a fitting mark of the upmost respect.