A memorial bench has been placed in Mesnes Park this weekend to celebrate the life of a pilot who heroically served in the Second World War before later donating millions to the borough’s culture scene.
Wigan resident, William Higham, enlisted in the RAF in 1939 and flew numerous bombing raids before later transporting supplies and airplanes in North Africa. After the war he was keen to leave a mark on Wigan Borough and so he left £2million in his will to the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, allowing military bands to apply for funding through the Higham Foundation to play concerts in Mesnes Park.
This contribution to the borough and bravery during the war is now set to be commemorated with the installation of a memorial bench at Mesnes Park on Saturday 23 September.
Wigan Council leader, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said: “William Higham made a huge contribution to our borough, both during his time fighting in the war and later when he returned home and made an invaluable donation to the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.
“It is so important that we celebrate his achievements, his bravery and his survival against the odds. It is an absolute honour to be installing this bench at one of the most well-visited parks in the borough and one that meant so much to William so that his memory lives on.”
William was not the only member of his family to survive the war, as he had another five brothers who bravely fought in conflicts zones around the world before making it back home to Wigan. Among their heroic deeds was the rescue of 78 soldiers from the Souda Beach in Crete – an incident Winston Churchill highlighted personally in his memoirs. Their stories will also be included as part of the new bench through a special QR code that visitors will be able to scan to find out more.
A ceremony celebrating the installation of the bench will take place at Mesnes Park between 10am and 1pm on 23 of September.
The Golborne Brass Band will play military music and among those attending will be the Deputy Lieutenant Melanie Bryan OBE, along with Wigan Council leader Councillor David Molyneux MBE.
