SOLDIERS who gave their lives serving with the Bolton Artillery were remembered on Saturday, in a re-dedication service for the Nelson Square War Memorial.

The memorial, which was first unveiled by the Duke of York in July 1920, has had its brickwork repointed and some of its lettering re-cut, following a decade of requests from military veterans.

During the service, led by The Rev Canon Matt Thompson, wreaths were laid at the memorial by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Linda Byrne, representatives of the Bolton Artillery and Royal Artillery Association, and family members.

John Edwards, who served as a sergeant in the Bolton Artillery, has been petitioning the council for 10 years to renovate the memorial, where his uncle is commemorated.

His grandchildren, Oliver and Benjamin, aged five and three, laid wreaths in memory of Gunner John Edwards, who was killed at Dunkirk in May 1940 at the age of 26.

Mr Edwards, who was named after his uncle, said: "I have been pushing the council for 10 years to take care of this memorial. I came here one day and there were flowers kicked around and someone had urinated on the the back of it.

"First, we managed to get railings put around it. The bottom plaque was coming away, so we got that fixed, and now it has been repointed and had some lettering re-cut.

"We wanted to get it rededicated this year as it was the 300th anniversary of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in May."

Sgt Mike Gallagher's great uncles, Gunner Alfred Hutchinson and Sgt Joseph Gallagher, are both commemorated on the memorial's World War One plaque.

The 51-year-old, from Heaton, said: "I'm extremely proud to be here today. Serving in the local regiment has been a family tradition for us and it means an immense amount to know that these names are not forgotten.

"The town still remembers the sacrifices that were made, and it is particularly important to do so as we commemorate the centenary of the First World War."

Brian Clare served 14 years with the Bolton Artillery and remembers visiting the memorial after World War Two, when his father, Gregory, was among the names added to the memorial.

The 79-year-old added: "I'm very proud to be here. My father died in Singapore in 1942 when he was only 26 and I still remember being here for the service when they added the plaque for those who died in World War Two. I was just a young lad, but I can still remember it."

For more photos from the service, see Monday's copy of The Bolton News.