Erewash to again be a beacon of Remembrance

(Credit: EBC)

Residents across Erewash are being encouraged to join the thousands who each year turn the borough into a beacon of remembrance – following the unveiling of a huge mural depicting much-loved local war hero Donald Rose.

The stunning artwork graces the side of Ilkeston Town Hall after a race to complete it in time for the traditional Remembrance Sunday services that are poignant annual spectacles on the Market Place and at Long Eaton’s War Memorial.

Donald was Britain’s oldest World War Two veteran when he died last year. He was 110 – which meant he was also the oldest man in Britain. The celebrated former Desert Rat survived a bullet to the leg during the Allied invasion of Normandy and went on to fight his way into Germany, where he helped to liberate the Nazi death camp at Bergen-Belsen.

Many of his comrades never made it home – like countless others who also gave their lives in the First World War. The Remembrance Sunday events in both Ilkeston and Long Eaton are an opportunity to salute their ultimate sacrifice.

This year’s ceremonies – which always attract vast crowds – are on 8th November. Borough council leader James Dawson will lead tributes as wreaths are solemnly laid at Ilkeston’s Cenotaph at 10.40am. This will follow a 9:50am service at St Mary’s Church and an ensuing parade that will set out from the town’s South Street car park.

In Long Eaton the Mayor of Erewash Cllr Greg Maskalick will attend a 9:30am mass at St Laurence Church. The town’s War Memorial will be where wreaths begin being laid at 10:40am following a parade that starts from West Gate.

Another chance for poppy buyers to show their respect will be at events on the following Wednesday (11th November) – at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

This is when the entire nation will fall silent. A Royal British Legion ceremony at Ilkeston’s Market Place Cenotaph will begin at 10.45am on what is officially Armistice Day.

The Donald Rose mural is dedicated to all those who fought for our freedom. The artwork – which is seven metres tall (23ft) – depicts the old soldier both as a centenarian and as a fresh-faced young private.

It is part of an initiative by the borough council that has seen top street artist Neil Keating commissioned to enhance the public realm with murals that have been appearing across Erewash.

His colleague John Culshaw, who has worked mainly in Liverpool, was entrusted with magnificently capturing Donald’s likeness and managed to complete the mural in time for Ilkeston’s Charter Fair.

Erewash’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett was interviewed about it live on ITV News Central in a broadcast from the town as the fair got under way. Cllr Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, described Donald as “an absolute hero for Ilkeston”.

She reminded residents how the mural will be a permanent tribute, saying: “When the fair’s gone it will be here forever.”