Tameside salutes famous Roundhead

On Sunday 1st April 2007, the streets of Dukinfield once again echoed to the sound of Roundhead troops.

Almost 350 years after the Civil War ended, Col Edward Montagu's Regiment of Foote were in the town to salute Col Robert Duckenfield, one of the North West's staunchest supporters of Cromwell and the cause of Parliament.

Before a statue of the colonel was unveiled outside Dukinfield Town Hall, the soldiers performed a march-past with standards flying and drums beating. They were led by a mounted officer and concluded with a volley of musketfire. It was one of the most colourful and dramatic events to be seen in the town for many years.

Col Robert Duckenfield (1619-1689) was lord of the manor and lived at the now demolished Dukinfield Hall where he set up one of England's first independent congregations at the hall chapel.

He took part in the defence of Manchester in September, 1642, and later became one of the most trusted commanders of Sir William Brereton, Parliament's senior officer in Cheshire, fighting at the battles of Middlewich and Nantwich.

In 1644 Duckenfield commanded the forces which took Wythenshawe Hall and he was present at the surrender of Chester in 1646. By 1648 he was commander of Cromwell's forces in the North West and became high sheriff of the county. In 1652 Duckenfield led the forces which captured the Isle of Man. Later, he was an MP and a member of Cromwell's Council of State.

He died in 1689 aged 70 and is buried at St Lawrence's Church, Denton.

Councillor Jackie Lane, project head (heritage and tourism), who performed the unveiling, said: "As a Dukinfield councillor and a native of the town, I feel honoured to have unveiled the bronze statue of Col Duckenfield. He was a man of great Puritan faith who distinguished himself in battle for Parliament's cause."

Montagu's Regiment of Foote began their salute outside Dukinfield Town Hall, King Street, Dukinfield before the statue was unveiled followed by a concert by the Black Dyke Band.

The bronze statue of Col Duckenfield is the latest in a series to be commissioned by Tameside Council. Those already on show include LS Lowry (Mottram); Jack Judge, the composer of "Tipperary", (Stalybridge); and a tribute to the Chartist Movement, in Hyde.

Montagu's Regiment of Foote is part of the Roundhead Association which, with the King's Army, forms the English Civil War Society. It was created in the 1970s and draws its members from Scotland and the north of England. The troops will be dressed and equipped just as Col Duckenfield's would have been.