GALLIPOLI will never be forgotten by the people of Bury and will be at the front of all our minds this weekend as the annual memorial celebrations take place.

But this story must command a special and permanent place in the Fusiliers' Museum where as many as possible of the VCs won in the most famous Fusilier action will be displayed.

Throughout the museum, the stories of individual people will be set against a historical timeline which will explain the politics, worldwide and local events which led to the actions and conditions which affected them. In the case of Gallipoli, we will tell how dissatisfaction with the progress of the war on the Western Front led Allied leaders to launch an attack on Turkey, with the intention of undermining Germany.

Even at the time, opinion was divided as to whether it was a good strategy and modern historians also disagree. Some argued that it was only in France that the war could be won, nevertheless the decision was made and whoever was right about the theory, there is little disagreement now that the campaign was poorly handled and many people suffered. The initial Allied landings were successful, but trench warfare, a difficult landscape, weak generalship and powerful Turkish defence resulted in a long and costly battle with dreadful loss of life and amazing bravery.

Six battalions, each of about 1000 men, took part in the campaign. The 1st Battalion, part of the Regular Army, played a leading part in the initial landings, famously winning "Six Victoria Crosses before breakfast". Eighty-eight officers and 1,728 other soldiers lost their lives during the campaign leaving 2,000 bereaved families in this part of Lancashire. A further 6,000 suffered wounds, which affected these men and their families for the rest of their lives. The great number of decorations awarded to the Lancashire Fusiliers were: six Victoria Crosses, three Companion of the Bath, Eight Distinguished Service Orders, 25 Distinguished Conduct Medals and Ten Military Crosses.

There is more significant progress this week towards the establishment of the new Fusiliers' Museum in The Arts and Crafts Centre. The fundraising team is still working on the sale of bricks and regional and local businesses are now being contacted in an effort to win sponsorship support.

We are heartened by the number of Bury people who have come forward to make personal donations. If you haven't already, please don't forget to Buy a Brick (and leave your message for posterity)