Royal British Legion Industries sign of approval for Rochdale’s World War One battle streets

Peter Clegg, President of Rochdale Fusiliers Association (left) with Brian Lamb, President of Rochdale Parachute Regiment Association with one of the new street signs

Five streets in Rochdale named after World War One battles will be re-dedicated next week and have special new signs unveiled during a public ceremony in the town.

Mons Avenue, Falkland Avenue, Jutland Avenue, Marne Crescent and Verdun Crescent will be fitted with new commemorative road signs produced by the Royal British Legion Industries as part of an ongoing programme to help ensure future generations understand about sacrifices made during past conflicts.

Residents are invited to attend the event at 1pm on Sunday 13 December, as part of Rochdale Borough Council’s World War One centenary commemorations.

The new signs have been manufactured by the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) social enterprise based in Kent, who provide road, rail and commercial signs employing veterans and people with disabilities.

Geoff Streetley, RBLI Director of Commercial Operations said: “We’re delighted Rochdale have used RBLI to supply these new heritage street signs. It is fitting that these signs commemorating the First World War were made by Armed Forces veterans. We’re looking forward to working with other councils in Greater Manchester to supply more signs across the region, which will help us to continue supporting veterans in our social enterprise and other ex-service personnel across the country.”

The dedication service will be held at the corner of Jutland Avenue and Longfield Road and the council are hopeful of a big turnout.

Council Leader Richard Farnell, said: “Royal British Legion Industries employ people with a disability, health condition or an ex-service connection and we are very pleased to support them. The Battle Streets of Rochdale are a part of our history and it is important that over the centenary of World War One we do as much as we can to ensure the local community can reflect on the impact of conflict and honour those who have served their country.”

Councillor Alan McCarthy, the council’s lead member for Armed Forces, added: “The hardest step for someone in the military is that first step back into civilian life. Royal British Legion Industries bridge that gap. The money raised goes back into the organisation to allow them to support other veterans who find the transition difficult.”

A street closure will be in place prior to the service and will run from Longfield Road South from the junction of Falkland Ave to Jutland Ave, and from Jutland Ave East from the junction of Marne Crescent to Longfield Road. Additional parking will be available at Spotland Stadium, Willbutts Lane, Rochdale OL11 5DS.

The Battle of Mons
23 August 1914

The Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force in the First
World War. It was a subsidiary action of the Battle of Frontiers in which the Allies clashed with Germany on the French borders.

The Battle of Falkland
8 December 1914

The Battle of the Falkland Islands was a British naval victory over the Imperial German Navy during the First World War in the South Atlantic. The British, after a defeat at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November, sent a large force to track down and destroy the victorious German cruiser squadron.

The Battle of Marne 
6 September 1914

The First Battle of the Marne was conducted between 6-12 September 1914, with the outcome bringing to an end the war of movement that had dominated the First World War. With the German advance brought to a halt, stalemate and trench warfare began.

The Battle of Verdun
21 February 1916

The Battle of Verdun was the longest single battle of World War One. The casualties from Verdun and the impact the battle had on the French Army was a primary reason for the British starting the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.

The Battle of Jutland 
31 May 1916

A naval battle fought by the British Royal Navy`s High Seas Fleet during the First World War. It was one of the most anticipated naval battles in history. On 31 May 1916 the British Grand Fleet encountered the German High Seas Fleet off the coast of Denmark in what became known as the Battle of Jutland.