ALTRINCHAM has never forgotten the brave men from Chapel Street, who lost their lives in the Great War and whose names are inscribed on a roll of honour currently sited in the Garden of Remembrance on Dunham Road.

As on Saturday, April 5, 1919, members of Altrincham Court Leet and other dignitaries were at the site on Saturday, April 6, 2019, to mark the centenary of the ceremony.

Leading them as they processed through the town to the ‘bravest little street in England’, was the Provost of Altrincham, Burgess Ken Garrity, accompanied by the Bellman, Alderman David Eastwood.

The street gained its nickname when 161 men from 66 houses volunteered to fight.

The memorial contains the names of 29 men who died and every name was read out by a descendant of some of the soldiers, 39-year-old Stuart Anthony Huriston.

Stuart was accompanied by his children, Georgia, aged seven, who carried the Court Leet banner, and Sienna, aged two.

All of them are descendants of Chapel Street residents, Mary and James Gormley, Stuart’s great grandparents.

The family live just ten minutes from the site.

James Gormley, a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps survived as did his brother, Peter, despite having a rough time.

Mary’s Uncle, Alfred Oxley (Stuart’s great uncle) was less lucky.

He died in action on May 8, 1915, aged 38, leaving a widow and seven children. His name, and that of his 19-year-old nephew, Albert Oxley, was read out at the ceremony

Stuart, a protection officer, said: “I feel really proud of them all. I can remember my nan, Mary Gormley, talking about them.”

Other guests included The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Susan Craig and William Firth, the President of the Royal Society of St George.

Burgess Garrity said: “It is good to acknowledge the sacrifice made by these brave men from a little street in Altrincham.”