John Whittaker, born in Oldham in 1776, set up a spinning and weaving industry in Hurst. He became a very well respected and popular employer, as did his 2 sons. They were a very generous family and spent thousands of pounds to benefit the community.

The second son, named Oldham, laid the foundation stone for the Hurst Cross in 1868.

In 1861 Hurst Local Board of Health was formed for this area in Ashton under Lyne township and in 1894 the area of the Local Board became Hurst Urban District.

In 1927 the Urban District was dissolved and its area became part of Ashton under Lyne Borough, now part of Tameside.

The War Memorial is situated Inside Hurst Cemetery, by the Kings Road entrance. The Gaelic cross, 18ft high was unveiled in 1921 in front of a crowd of nearly 5,000 people.

Photographs by kind permission and © of Antony Lambert : www.c5d.co.uk/hurst.php