City prepares to pay tribute to its fallen sons

WORK will begin later this month on the installation of a new Bradford city centre war memorial dedicated to those who have died in action since the Second World War.

Bradford Council worked with the Royal British Legion on the project, which will involve the construction of a memorial behind the Cenotaph in the memorial garden along with a new path and seats.

The memorial will commemorate soldiers from the Bradford district who have died in active service in wars or terrorist action since the Second World War in such places as Northern Ireland, Egypt, Malaya, Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Twenty-nine names have been received from a variety of sources and have been checked against the database on the Veterans UK website and with the Registry Office.

The memorial begins on January 1 1948 as this is recognised as the end of hostilities for the war.

David Bennison, Bradford Council technical officer, said: “It has been an honour to have been involved in erecting a new monument which will remain in the city centre for many years to come.”

Barbara Allsopp, from the Bradford Central Branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I think the memorial is a great idea and will make people remember all those who have fallen in conflict.”

Initial works are expected to last seven weeks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The memorial will include several servicemen killed in recent years. Among them are Sergeant Steve Roberts, of Shipley, who was killed in Iraq in 2003; Sergeant Christian Hickey, of East Bierley, who was killed in Iraq in 2005; Flight Lieutenant David Stead, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, who was killed in Iraq in 2005; Sapper Jordan Rossi, of Baildon, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009; Sergeant Peter Rayner, of Odsal, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010; Private Martin Bell, of Idle, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011; and Private Christopher Kershaw, of Eccleshill, killed in Afghanistan in 2012.