100th Anniversary of the Unveiling of the Litherland War Memorial 16th March 1924

The 100th Anniversary
The Unveiling of The Litherland War Memorial 16th March 1924

War Memorial Committee 1917-1924

In 1917 the matter of erecting a 'War Memorial' in Litherland was first discussed at a 'Council Meeting' a resolusion was past that the council should look into the matter. In January 1919 the War Memorial Committee proposed the construction of the 'Litherland War Heroes Hall' on the corner of Bridge Road and Linacre Road. A public meeting was held to put forward further ideas on the form of the memorial.

Suggestions included a victory hall comprising of a hall, library, newsroom and swimming baths. The War Memorial Committee was asked to reconsider in the light of the suggestions and cost which would have to be funded. Funding of such a grand memorial delayed the construction until 1924 when a more practical plan for the memorial was approved - Mr Robert Baxter Lee was the Chairman of the Litherland War Memorial Committee. The sum of £600 was raised for the erection of the memorial - Money was donated to Bootle Borough Hospital to endow a bed called “Litherland War Memorial Bed."

CIVIC PRIDE

PRESENT ON THE DIAS

Rev. Thomas Hannah, Rev. Thomas Wilkinson, Rev. George Jackson, Mr. Robert B. Lee, Vicount Molyneux, Chairman Charles R. Bradley & Mr F. A. J. Poulson

THE OPENING ADDRESS

Chairman of the War Memorial Committee Councillor R.B. Lee, J.P in his opening address asked the Council to “accept the Stone Memorial, to treat it with reverence, and to keep it always in good condition”. He thanked Viscount Molyneux, the son of Lord Sefton for coming to unveil the Litherland Memorial. Mr F.A.J. Poulson, chairman of Bootle Hospital Committee was thanked for his help and co-operation with the Memorial Scheme.

THE SERVICE

The hymn “Creator of all Nations” followed, the Rev. Thomas Hannah of Linacre Mission offered a reading, and Rev. George Jackson Vicar of St Andrew's Litherland read a scripture from the Book of Ecclesiastes. Viscount Molyneux gave a moving speech and unveiled the Memorial. The buglers of the Cadet Corps sounded “The Last Post”, silence was observed and “Reveille” followed. Mourners came forward to lay wreaths to the hymn “We cannot think of them as dead”.

The Rev. Thomas Wilkinson read prayers of remembrance and the Lord's Prayer followed. The last hymn “Abide with me” was sung, and the Rev. George Jackson pronounced benediction and the ceremony concluded with the national anthem.

Below: The Rev. Thomas Wilkinson reading the prayers of remembrance and the Lord's Prayer

The British Legion provided the Guard of Honour

A Sergeant, Corporal, Lance-Corporal, & Private of The King's Liverpool Regiment Standing Vigil

Wreath laying by the Chairman of the War Memorial Committee, Mr. Robert Baxter Lee - His son Norman is commemorated on the memorial

SLEEP SOUND BOYS

Look boys; the sun's shining down on the green fields of France;
there's a warm summer breeze makes the red poppies dance.
The sun now shines from under the clouds
The trenches have vanished long under the plough
There's no gas nor' barbed wire, there's no guns firing now.

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