Memorials - Longton - Victory Memorial Recreation Ground

Location: School Lane, Longton PR4 4DL
Ordnance Survey Map Reference - SD 48321 25596
IWM War Memorials Register - Not on site
War Memorials Online - Not on site
The following is direct from the Longton Parish Council Website:

"The Parish Council is the custodian Trustee for the Longton Victory Memorial Recreation Ground something that was bestowed upon it by a Trust Deed dated 5th August 1921. This Trust Deed requires the Parish Council as Trustee to maintain the ground for the benefit of the Township of Longton and district. The Trustee has therefore granted 'licences' to the Longton Victory Memorial Sports and Social Club, Longton Tennis Club and New Longton Rovers Football Club who use the ground for their activities subject to a set of rules which set out the protocols relating to the use of the ground and ensure that the requirements of the Trust Deed are maintained."

The following articles illustrate the thought that went into the construction of the ground.
A WAR MEMORIAL. To the Editor of "The Lancashire Daily Post." SIR.- Now that the question is being raised about the erection of a war memorial, might I express my views as one who has served and been disabled in the war?  A public institute has been suggested as a memorial for the village, an institute where young men could spend their leisure moments and long winter evenings - an institute that would be non-party, non-sectarian, and democratic.  Soldiers who have gone from Longton to the war have since, if not before, joining the Army found out the necessity of recreation, & c., and when demobilisation takes place they will want other places than public-houses to resort to, yet no other such place exists in Longton.  Men who are discharged feel there is something missing, and such a building would be a boon to them, as well as a memorial to those who have fallen. This proposition, I feel confident, would be strongly supported, in particular by those who have served in this war, and if the people of Longton could only realise the necessity of such a building it would be supported by all. - Yours, &c.,  ROBERT W. BLACKETT. Chapel-lane, Longton, December 5th. LANCASHIRE DAILY POST - Friday 6 December 1918
LONGTON'S WAR MEMORIAL. - The committee appointed by the Longton Parish Council to arrange for a thorough canvass in the parish to solicit promises of subscriptions towards the proposed Parish Institute have met. Thirty members volunteered for this work of canvassing.  The primary object of the institute is to commemorate the victory of the Allies. A Parish Institute in the village will prove a boon to the young people. The girls will not be overlooked in the proposed scheme, as it is the aim of the committee (given the necessary public support) to build up such a fund as will enable the scheme to include places of recreation for both sexes. LANCASHIRE DAILY POST - Friday 6 December 1918
Image © Charles O'Donnell 2018
Charles O'Donnell
Please email the project with any amendments or corrections
Published 27 May 2018
Preston & Central Lancashire WFA
© Preston & Central Lancashire Western Front Association 2020
The WFA was formed in 1980 to maintain interest in the First World War (1914-1918). We work to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of all, from all sides, on all Fronts: on land, at sea, in the air and on the Home Front. The WFA is non-political and does not seek to glorify war.