THREE brothers who died in World War I will be honoured by walkers as attempts are made to add them to Stalybridge’s war memorial.
Fred, Harry and George Marshall, of Carrbrook, were all killed in action but do not in 1915 an feature on the list of names on Trinity Street.
Instead, they are recognised on Mossley’s, although that does not contain names.
Now the Friends of Stalybridge War Memorial are encouraging people to hit the road for the Marshall’s Walk as efforts to get them and others added to their home town’s go on.
From October 3 until October 10, people are asked to walk from Stalybridge War Memorial to Carrbrook Village via Huddersfield Road, then to Mossley War Memorial at the former town hall via Staley Road before returning to Stalybridge, where a designated member of the committee will be on October 10 from 10am until 12.30pm to collect donations.
Frank Harrop, of the Friends of Stalybridge War Memorial said: “The Marshall family was told they could not go on the war memorial.
“So what we’re doing is asking people to do the circuit done by the family did at the time as we try to get them added.
“Jonathan Reynolds MP actually instigated the idea and the Royal British Legion was also involved.
“We originally wanted to all do it on Sunday, October 10 but Tameside Council said ‘You can’t have an organised walk unless you have things like marshals and first aiders.’
“So we’ve decided to move it forward so people can do it any time that suits them form Sunday,
October 3.
“It’s all part of our efforts to get the Marshall brothers added to the war memorial, as well as the almost 300 men whose names do not feature.”
The Marshall family, who lived at Carr Cottages, tried to get the three men – who died aged 20 and 25 – on the register.
However, after mother Ann walked to Stalybridge the registrar refused to enter their names in the register as he pointed out that in his opinion their house was just on the other side of the border in Mossley, Lancashire.
After being told by the registrar there he was wrong, she walked back and put forward the case as advised by the registrar from Mossley.
But the Stalybridge registrar would not move from his original decision. Ann Marshall decided that she was being pushed from pillar to post by bureaucracy and decided her three boys would be remembered in her mind and heart.
The Friends society added: “This effort is to raise funds to help fulfil the dream of the Marshall family to commemorate their loss.
“The purpose of the walk is to make people aware of the torment that this lady went through to obtain her right to have her three sons honoured for their sacrifice.”
• If you wish to get involved or donate, you can contact the Friends of Stalybridge War Memorial via their Facebook group