ONE of the the Lancashire Fusiliers' proudest and costliest days was celebrated on Sunday (April 29) when Bury staged its annual Gallipoli service and parade.

On April 25, 1915, hundreds of hackled soldiers stormed the the beaches of Gallipoli to face heavy repelling fire from the defending Turkish forces.

Gallantly led by their officers, the Fusiliers literally hurled themselves ashore and, fired at from all angles, commenced hacking their way through the wire.

A long line of men was at once mowed down by a scythe of bullets but the remainder were not to be denied.

The beach and undying fame were won. The cost was heavy; eleven officers and 350 men of the battalion and the 63 of the 80 naval ratings manning the cutters were killed or wounded.

In the presence of so much heroism the normal method of selection for awards failed. The 1st battalion was therefore allowed six Victoria Crosses and ordered to choose the recipients. They were Captains Richard Willis and Cuthbert Bromley, Sergeants Alfred Richards and Frank Stubbs, Corporal John Grimshaw and Private William Keneally. Eighty-six years on the "Six VCs before breakfast" recipients and their just as brave Fusilier colleagues who were killed, wounded or somehow survived the Lancashire Landings are still remembered in Bury for their "dash and gallantry."

On Sunday, serving members of the local TA Fusilier detachment, Lancashire Fusilier veterans, representatives from a host of military youth groups and civic leaders united for the annual Gallipoli service and parade.

And pictured are some of the Fusiliers, drums beating, marching during the popular parade.

The Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Brigadier David Biggart, OBE, took the salute during the march past of the parade while simple wreaths were laid at the cenotaph in honour of the fallen.

Reverend Dr John Findon led the service in Bury Parish Church.

Captain John O'Grady, the North West secretary of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, said: "It was a marvellous parade and once again it allowed the opportunity for the people of Bury to pay their respects to those Fusiliers who put their lives on the line for King and Country during the First World War."