A stirring scene was witnessed in Victoria Square, Bradford, on
Saturday afternoon, on the occasion of the unveiling of the memorial
to Bradford men who fought in the war. Victoria Square and its
approaches were thronged by a crowd of fully 40.000 people, of
whom fully half were men, when Lieut.-Colonel A. Gadie, T.D.,
ex-Lord Mayor, unveiled memorial.
The Bradford “Roll of Honour," which is open for inspection
at Central Free Library, contains the names of 37.000 citizens,
of whom about 5.000 fell. The names of many of fallen are inscribed
on memorials in the local places of worship, and others of more
public character erected in various parts of the city, particularly
suburbs.
The corporate memorial unveiled on Saturday takes the form of
Cenotaph, designed by City Architect, Mr. W. Williamson, F.R.I.B.A.,
and constructed of local stone. Underneath a carved cross typifying
"Sacrifice," and a wreath symbolising “Grief,"
is the following inscription: “To the immortal memory of
men of the city of Bradford who served their King and Empire in
the Great War, 1914-18, this memorial, erected by their fellow
citizens, is dedicated in proud and grateful remembrance.”
The Cenotaph is supported by bronze figures of a sailor and a
soldier, each with rifle and fixed bayonet and in fighting attitude.
A procession from Town Hall to Victoria Square, which marched
through lines of ex-servicemen, included the Lord Mayor (Mr. T.
Blythe) and Corporation, magistrates, about 40 clergy and ministers
all denominations, and representatives of several public bodies.
The military representatives included Colonel G. H. Muller, V.D.,
C.B.E. (who commanded Bradford Pals' Battalions on their inception),
and Colonel J. H. Hastings, D.S.O. (late commanding second 6lh
West Yorkshire Regiment). Lt. C. M. Maud had charge of a squad
from the Bradford Moor Barracks representing the 70th Brigade,
R.F.A., whilst Lieutenants C.P. Underwood and G. Ambler led a
detachment of the second West Yorkshire Regiment.
Lieut.-Colonel said the Cenotaph was not a glorifying image to
militarism, but a monument to the self-sacrifice of Bradford men
who served in the forcesw. Those who, from one cause or another,
did not go to the war could not, if they lived to hundred years
old, adequately discharge their obligations those who did go and
were fortunate enough to return. The least they could do was to
help lo find employment for the men who fought for them. Ex-servicemen
themselves must also do their best for old comrades who had found
themselves in difficulties since they returned to civil life.
Perhaps some of them did not want helping except with money to
mis-use, but a little friendly advice from one who knew what war
meant might do incalculable good even in cases of that sort.
The Vicar of Bradford, Archdeacon Stanton Jones, (who dedicated
the memorial) said that when he thought of the great ideals that
seemed to clash in the war, he felt that the Allied soldiers saved
the soul of the world, because they vindicated the moral principle
upon which alone the security of nations could rest. We could
best repay their sacrifice by striving to develop the spirit unity
and brotherhood, and cleansing the springs of city life, and enriching
its moral energies. If England were base, ignoble, selfish, or
sensual, should have deaIt treacherously with the who died for
a better England.
At the conclusion of the ceremony buglers from the 6th West Yorkshire
Regiment sounded “The Last Last” and “The Revielle."
A large number of floral tributes were deposited at the foot of
the Cenotaph. That from the survivors of the Bradford Pals consisted
of a large cross, with the divisional emblem in the centre, the
regimental colours being worked the base. It was announced that
a woman from Canada, who served in military hospitals in France
during war, had paid special visit to her native city in order
to lay a wreath on the Cenotaph.