EIGHTY-FIVE years ago, a devastating proportion of Bury's youth was wiped out as they spilled their blood and guts for King and Country.

Thousands of teenagers and those in the 20s were slaughtered on the Gallipoli beaches as Turkish guns pounded the rank and file of the Lancashire Fusiliers.

The bravery shown by members of the 1st battalion earned them the legendary "Six VCs Before Breakfast" on the first day of a 37-week long offensive in the Dardanelles on April 25, 1915.

To honour those fallen, Bury's modern day rank and file and the public turned out on Sunday (April 30) to ensure the heroism show on the blood-stained beaches is never forgotten.

The local TA units were joined by veterans from the local Lancashire Fusiliers, pictured with their standard bearers, and civic dignitaries for a parade through the town centre and a church service conducted by Reverend John Findon and watched by Bury's Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor and Mrs John and Anne Costello.

The parade was lead by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band and the Regiment's new Deputy Colonel, Col Brian Gorski took the salute during the march past.