Wirral falls silent for poignant Remembrance Sunday services across the borough

Nov 14 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

SERVICES of Remembrance took place across Wirral on Sunday as the borough paid its respects to those lost in conflicts past and present.

The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Gerry Ellis, joined servicemen and women, their families and representatives of the armed forces at the Cenotaph in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.

Hundreds of people watched the mayor lay wreaths to remember those who gave their lives and observed a two-minute silence at 11am.

The ceremony took place next to a memorial commemorating servicemen and women who have been awarded the Victoria or George Cross, 1,100 local people killed in action during the Second World War and those who have fallen in other conflicts since 1945.

Other services took place at war memorials and churches in Bromborough, Bidston, West Kirby, Lower Heswall, Moreton, New Brighton, Prenton, Upton, Port Sunlight and Thornton Hough.

Cllr Ellis said: “I’m proud to lead the people of Wirral in remembering everyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

The two minute silence was also held at Ingleborough Road memorial field in Prenton – site of a controversial planning application for a housing estate by Tranmere Rovers.

Campaigners opposed to the scheme were allowed access to the fields and a wreath was laid by Dean Johnson, who has led opposition to the development.

Supporter Peter Parsley, who travelled to Wirral from Belgium, read out the names of the 88 Birkenhead Institute students who died during the First World War while a group of 15-20 people watched.

Mr Parsley said: “These were just a small proportion of the men from Birkenhead who died in that war, but they should all be remembered.”

Ingleborough plan halted – full story on page 6