War Memorials

Memorials relating to both world wars are the joint responsibility of Wirral Council's Law HR and Asset Management Department as well as the private sector and diocese.

English Heritage has recently recognised the historic importance of the War Memorials in Wirral by granting listed status to four of our five listed applications. Those granted listed status include Eastham War Memorial (Grade 2), Magazine Promenade Memorial (Grade 2), New Brighton (Grade 2), and Hoylake and West Kirby Memorial on Grange Hill (Grade 2*). Unfortunately, the request for main gate memorial for the former RAF West Kirby was unsuccessful, due to the memorials being fairly new. We will be looking at applying for the listing of other memorials in the near future to ensure our memorials are protected. To protect the Jagger figures on the West Kirby Memorial we are looking at rewaxing them and will hopefully be carrying out this work during 2012.

We have now dedicated the first phase of the new memorial within the grounds of Hamilton Square. This new memorial is to commemorate those who have not been listed on any other memorials in the Borough. This phase commemorates the recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, (Including those transferred to the George Cross in 1940 & 1971 along with those that have passed on that did not transfer), fallen from 1939-1945 along with those who have fallen since 1945.

The Post 1945 names were previously placed on our memorial at Grange Hill, West Kirby, and on a plaque within Wallasey Town Hall. We will be leaving these plaques in place, and all those remembered will be placed on the new Post 1945 memorial in Hamilton Square and Wallasey Town Hall.

It was hoped the new Post 1945 plaque would list the various conflicts followed by the names of the fallen. This has proved to be a difficult task as we could not gain a definitive list of names for the fallen and have since added names from Aden and the Malaysian Emergency underneath those from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The new memorial will allow access to any member of the public to pay their respects at any time of the day or night. This site houses various Regimental Plaques alongside the Main Cenotaph. Hamilton Square was chosen for the new memorial as it is part of the Annual Remembrance Service, it is close to public transport and has disabled access and parking within a very short distance. We will be placing a small metal protective bar to the rear of the memorial which will allow the public to place crosses and mementoes close to their relatives name on the plaque

The final phase will be under construction from the end of 2011 and will include Boer War, a plaque dedicated to the Civilian and Emergency Services, Far East Prisoners of War, Merchant Navy of both Wars and the First World War. It is hoped to have this final phase complete by June 2012 and a dedication ceremony will be held upon the completion of the works.

The collection and verification of over 2500 names of the fallen has been a large task and has taken almost three years to complete. This has included working with various Government Agencies and Wirral's Archive Service to verify the service details. We have also worked very closely with members of local history groups to gain birth, death and census information. This was then used to gain the birth and death certificates from Wirral's Registrars Department and confirm qualification of residency.

The Council would like to thank local residents who have been a huge help in the search for and clarification of the names to be entered onto the plaques.

Particular thanks goes to local historians Denis Rose, who assisted with the Victoria Cross and George Cross names, Chris Morris from Prenton and her husband, John, who very sadly passed away earlier this year. Without their help, this project may not have been possible. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Mr Dave Williams for his technical help during the design and choice of stone for the new memorial.

Further information about war memorials can be obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on tel. 01628 634221 (fax: 01628 771208), or The War Memorials Trust on tel. 0300 123 0764.

Anyone wishing to obtain a photograph of a relative’s war grave can try the voluntary group known as ‘The War Graves Photographic Project’, which is working towards obtaining a photograph of every Commission headstone and name on memorial.

The Palace Barracks Memorial Site has an excellent range of  memorial sites links within their main site. Each page relates to a specific conflict and will list the names of those who have fallen. Where possible and with the permission of the next of kin, there is a photograph of the person.

If anyone wishes to have a relatives name inscribed onto a memorial or has any queries relating to memorials please feel free to inform the Memorials Officer on the email and phone numbers given at the top of this page