A century ago, Colne boasted 26,000 people, a number of cotton manufactories, some iron foundries, works for the manufacture of looms and mill furnishings, a brewery, a brick works and a goodly amount cattle dealing. The Colne Times of Friday, 7th August 1914 reported the immediate impact of the declaration of War, with Ambulancemen from Trawden and Colne leaving to serve on ships, hospital ships and in shore-based hospitals. The men marched to the railway station with cheering crowds led by a band. Many other men and women left Colne and surrounding villages to fight or serve in other ways in the weeks and months that followed. All those who stayed were affected in some way. Many men joined the East Lancashire Regiment, famous for the Accrington Pals. The Regiment served on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, and in Macedonia, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. In all, they earned a total of 120 Battle Honours and suffered a total of 7,000 casualties. Colne changed forever. ‘Colne Commemorates the Great War’ has been designed to help us all remember.
A small sample of what is included in our day of commemoration: A period Town Council Canteen on the Market Car Park with authentic menu A reconstruction of a trench in the orchestra pit of The Hippodrome A display of dogs and pigeons and their role in WW1 outside the Little Theatre A commemorative veterans’ and cadets’ parade forming up at The British Legion at 9.45 a.m.war3 A series of talks and films at The Little Theatre A recreation of a photographic studio for commemorative portraits A Trace Your Family event with authentic refreshments at The Library A short service at the War Memorial at 11 a.m. The opening of an exhibition on Colne in WW1 at The Library
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