Bury has a proud military tradition as the historic home to the Lancashire Fusiliers, and we are proud to support our Armed Forces community.
Throughout the year there are a number of anniversaries taking place marking important military occasions.
Gallipoli Day
The Gallipoli campaign was fought during the First World War and took place in what is now modern-day Turkey.
At dawn on 25 April, soldiers from the Lancashire Fusiliers landed on W beach to the west of Cape Helles, the southernmost tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula, to try to force the Ottoman Empire out of the war.
The Lancashire Fusiliers were famously awarded ‘Six VCs before breakfast’ and W Beach was renamed Lancashire Landing in honour of the Battalion that captured it.
This year's Memorial Service and Parade takes place on Sunday 26 April 2026
VE Day
Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and commemorated both on VE Day (Victory in Europe) and VJ Day (Victory over Japan).
VE Day commemorates the end of the war in Europe with the defeat of Germany by the Allies.
The news resulted in millions celebrating the end of the war, with street parties, dancing and singing across the country.
The anniversary was marked by a number of events including a service at the Parish Church, street parties, and a concert.
The 2nd Battalion of the Lancaashire Fusiliers was deployed to France with the British Expeditionary Force in 1939.
It fought there in 1940 until being forced to retreat to Dunkirk, from where it was evacuated back to Britain. The battalion remained at home until late 1942, protecting against German invasion.
It then deployed to North Africa for the Tunisian campaign (1942-43), before serving in Sicily (1943) and Italy (1944-45), where it helped break the Gothic Line.
The regiment also raised 15 additional Territorial and hostilities-only battalions. These served at home, in France and Germany, Malta, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, India and Burma.
You can find out more about the history and role of the Lancashire Fusiliers during the war on the National Army Museum website
Armed Forces Week - 22 to 27 June 2026
Armed Forces Week is an opportunity to show support to the men and women who make up the Armed Forces, including those currently serving, veterans, reservists, cadets and their families.
VJ Day - 15 August
VJ Day marks the defeat of Japan and the end of the Second World War in 1945.
In December 1941, Imperial Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii and declared war on Britain and the United States.
Millions of British and Commonwealth troops joined Allied forces in Asia and the Pacific with warfare across a vast geographic region. Battles were fought in jungle terrain and punishing tropical heat.
The Far East campaign saw hundreds of thousands of British, Commonwealth and other Allied troops taken prisoners of war (POWs), where they faced appalling conditions, including disease, starvation, forced labour and brutality.
On the outbreak of the war the 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers was based in India.
It subsequently fought with various formations in Burma until 1943 when it became a Chindits formation with 77th Indian Infantry Brigade.
It served with the latter until the end of the campaign.
After the fighting stopped on 15 August, it would take several months for POWs, servicemen and women to return home to Britain, where their harrowing wartime experiences would continue to take a toll.
VJ Day marked the end of the Second World War which had begun with the German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939.
VJ Day commemorations included a service of commemoration at the Second World War Memorial in the grounds of Bury Parish Church, memorial tree planting, and and exhibition at the Fusiliers Museum.
Minden Day, 1 August
Minden Day is an important day for Bury and the Lancashire Fusiliers in particular.
It commemorates those who took part in the Battle of Minden in 1759 during the Seven Years' War when Great Britain was allied with Prussia against France and Austria.
The Lancashire Fusiliers is a successor regiment of the 20th Regiment of Foot who took part in the battle.
To commemorate there will be a Drumhead Service and wreath laying at noon on Saturday 1 August 2026 at Gallipoli Gardens, Silver Street.
Everyone welcome
Bury Remembers – Remembrance Activity in November 2026
Bury and towns across the borough will be commemorating Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day during November.
Parades, services and wreath-laying ceremonies will take place across the borough.
Armistice Day on 11 November, marks the end of the First World War when the guns fell silent at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Remembrance Sunday takes place on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day which this year takes pace on 8 November.
Second Bury Armed Forces Conference
Our first Bury Armed Forces Conference last year showcased the work that valued local community groups and networks in Bury do for our veterans.
The event included an update from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority about the GM Live Well programme and the national support programme including VALOUR with the Office for Veterans Affairs.
The event was open to all members of the Armed Forces community including friends and family; voluntary and community colleagues who support armed forces and veterans locally; public service colleagues delivering on Covenant duties; and businesses looking to learn more and connect into support to communities.
Information about this year's event is to follow
