A GROUP of dignitaries stood in solemn silence in the November cold in northern France on Saturday as a new memorial to the Bradford Pals who fell in the Great War was unveiled.

The date, November 19, 2016, was especially significant as it marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Somme - the bloodiest battle of the First World War and one which cost the lives of more than 1,000 troops from this city alone.

The unveiling ceremony was the culmination of the T&A’s Honour the Pals appeal to provide, at long last, a permanent memorial to the Bradford Pals at the site of where so many sacrificed their lives for the nation.

It is to the district’s great credit that so many individuals and organisations rallied to the cause to raise more than £5,000 which was then match funded by Bradford Council.

And the Bradford World War One Group, and in particular, its secretary Tricia Platts, whose drive and determination saw the memorial project through to its conclusion, must be singled out for particular praise.

In keeping with many of the country’s other great cities, Bradford’s massive contribution to the war effort a century ago is now permanently recognised with the memorial installed at the French Memorial Chapel on the Serre Road between Serre and Hebuterne.

We all know that history continues to prove that the ‘war to end all wars’ did nothing of the sort.

But there was nothing futile about the actions of those who laid down their lives, leaving so many families and their descendants in grief.

Lest we forget.