Erected as a permanent memorial to the men of Oldham who was killed in the First World War , Oldham 's war memorial consist of a granite base surmounted by a bronze sculpture depicting five soldiers making their way along the trenches in order to go into battle . The main standing figure , having climbed out of the trenches , is shown calling on his comrades to advance , and is the same figure used at the Royal Fusiliers War Memorial in London and the 41st Division memorial at Flers in France . The base serve to house books containing the roll of honour of the 1st , 10th and 24th Battalions , Manchester Regiment . The pedestal have two bronze doors at either side .