The picture shows the newly
restored and relocated Fusiliers Memorial in Bury,
Lancashire. The memorial stands proudly outside the new museum
of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which has replaced the old
Lancashire Fusiliers Museum.
The monument was unveiled at its new location on 27 April last
year by Viscount Ridley KG GCVO TD. The garden it now stands in
is known as Gallipoli Garden, after the notorious First World War
battle in which the Lancashire Fusiliers distinguished themselves by
winning a famous ‘six VCs before breakfast’. It was designed by
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens RA, who’s father Capt Charles Lutyens
had served with the regiment throughout the latter half of the 19th
century.
The project, carried out by Bullen Conservation, was to relocate
the monument from its previous site at the former Wellington
Barracks to its new location in Bury Town Centre, next to the
new Fusiliers Museum, thus giving the monument greater public
recognition.
The work involved carefully taking down the existing Portland
stone monument stone by stone, together with the York stone
paving around the perimeter. It was taken to Bullen’s workshop in
Oldham, where the masonry was cleaned and re-carved in order
to regenerate the inscriptions.
In addition, the work included full redecoration and re-gilding
of all the colours on both flags. Attention to detail was paramount
so a full analysis was taken of the original paintwork to ensure
original details were preserved.
The relocation to the new site was no mean feat itself. The
monument was to be erected on an old brownfield site, so
extensive new foundations were required prior to the rebuilding
works. The rebuilding works required experienced specialist
stonemasons, using cranes and sensitive lift and fixing appliances.
The work was completed on time against an extremely tight
programme – bearing in mind that the Duke of Kent was attending
the museum’s opening ceremony.
“Here it is now seen
by all those who not only visit the Museum but all those who come
into the town centre. Its future is bright as it becomes the centre of
attention in a busy part of town rather than a forgotten relic only
appreciated by those stuck in a traffic jam on Bolton Road.”
Colonel Mike Glover:
Museum Curator