James Platt Memorial Cross

On the 27th August 1857, a shocking and tragic accident took place on the moors above Ashway Gap, up above Dovestone Reservoir, near Saddleworth. One of Oldham’s recently elected Liberal MPs, James Platt, was shot dead by his close friend and relative, Josiah Radcliffe, who at the time was the mayor of Oldham.Radcliffe’s gun discharged accidentally after he stumbled while they were out with a shooting party on the moors, hitting Platt in the lower leg. 
Sadly he died just over an hour later, having suffered extensive blood loss. His family declined the suggestion of a public monument, but commemorated him with a memorial cross placed up on the moor looking down over Dovestone.

On the 27th August 1857, a shocking and tragic accident took place on the moors above Ashway Gap, up above Dovestone Reservoir, near Saddleworth. One of Oldham’s recently elected Liberal MPs, James Platt, was shot dead by his close friend and relative, Josiah Radcliffe, who at the time was the mayor of Oldham.
Radcliffe’s gun discharged accidentally after he stumbled while they were out with a shooting party on the moors, hitting Platt in the lower leg. Platt was carried to his family’s newly constructed summer residence nearby, where doctors were quickly summoned.
Unfortunately they had to use alternative methods to texting, phoning or messaging so it took some time. Sadly he died just over an hour later, having suffered extensive blood loss. His family declined the suggestion of a public monument, but commemorated him with a memorial cross placed up on the moor looking down over Dovestone.
The memorial is easily found up on the moor just a climb from the reservoir.