Flags fly in tribute to war heroes in Earby (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Flags fly in tribute to war heroes in Earby

11:00am Wednesday 9th November 2011 in Earby By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

ONE of the most patriotic towns in East Lancashire will honour its war dead amid a sea of red, white and blue.

More than 40 Union flags have been hoisted along Victoria Road, Water Street and Skipton Road in Earby, in preparation for Armstice Day this Friday, and Remembrance Sunday.

The flags have become a tradition in Earby and were out in force for the funeral of Jordan Bancroft, the Duke of Lancaster lance corporal who attended West Craven High and was killed in action in Helmand province in August 2010.

Chris Tennant, chairman of the parish council and a borough councillor, said: “It was especially poignant last year following the sad loss of Jordan Bancroft.

We’ve put the flags up for a year or two now and it ties in really well with our Poppy Shop in the Parish Rooms.”

But townsfolk will also recall the supreme sacrifice made by another veteran, during a ceremony at the cenotaph in Sough Park on Sunday.

George Hayhurst, who was brought up in the town, was killed in action in 1944 while serving with the Royal Scots Regiment.

Last year his cousin, Betty Turner, of Aspin Lane, mentioned his fate and work commenced to add his name to the memorial.

Historian Bob Abel and parish councillor Vera Cocker confirmed his service record and his details will be inscribed on a new kerbstone beside the monument.

Only last year, several other veterans, from the Boer War, Great War and Korean War, plus Mark Davies, an army recruit who died on exercises in 1995, were installed on the same kerbstones.

The Sunday service, led jointly by the Rev Hugh Fielding, of All Saints CE, Father Geoffrey Parfitt, of St Patrick’s RC, and Methodist minister David Hartley, will also see the dedication of a new flagpole.