WORK to upgrade the memorial to the Barnsley Pals who perished on the Somme has now been financed and is expected to be completed ahead of the centenary of the First World War's bloodiest battle on July 1 next year.
In recent years memorials have been installed to the so-called 'pals' regiments, with troops from Barnsley, Sheffield and Accrington, who suffered extensive losses on the first day of Battle of the Somme.
But the other two are mounted on plinths, giving them an increased presence in Sheffield Park, a copse on the battleground near where many of the troops fell victim to German gunfire.
Barnsley Coun Joe Hayward and Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis were among those who visited last year and came to the conclusion a plinth to remount the Barnsley memorial would be appropriate.
Coun Hayward took charge of the project and work on the plinth, which will stand around six feet high, is now being finalised by Roberts' memorials in Racecommon Road.
Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle
