Blog Archives

Drumhead Service on Exchange Flags, Liverpool

14/9/2014

A Drumhead Service, was held on Exchange Flags, as part of a weekend of events commemorating World War I. The service was typical of the worship that soldiers of all faiths and beliefs carried out before they went to war 100 years ago. Drumhead services originated from when military chaplains in the field would use the drums of their battalion or the regimental band to construct a makeshift altar when there was no church nearby.

The Liverpool service on Exchange Flags was taken by the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev Malcolm McMahon, the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev Richard Blackburn, the Rector of Liverpool, The Rev Dr Crispin Pailing, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool. the Rt Rev Thomas Williams.

The Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff were joined by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and other dignitaries.

Presentation of British Empire Medals

12/9/2014

The Lord-Lieutenant, assisted by the High Sheriff, Mrs Abila Pointing MBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant, Colonel Martin Amlôt OBE DL and Clerk to the Lieutenancy, Lieutenant Colonel Sean McEvoy BEM, presented British Empire Medals to Mrs Margaret Mary Boyd BEM JP, Thomas Kelvin Coslett Esq BEM, Ms Jaine Crompton BEM and Daniel Peter Murphy Esq BEM at the Athenaeum, Liverpool. Sadly a fifth recipient, Alwyn Martin Harrison Esq BEM was unable to attend. Also present were the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, the Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton and the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral.

Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra Visits King's Gardens Southport

11/9/2014

More than 100 years after Southport's Kings Gardens were officially opened by King George V and Queen Mary, their granddaughter HRH Princess Alexandra was there to formally open the newly refurbished Kings Gardens. Her Royal Highness met volunteers from the Friends of Kings Gardens and spoketo the specialists and contractors who have carried out the work. The Princess toured the restored gardens before unveiling a commemorative plaque and turning on the new water feature.

Dedication of the Memorial to the Liverpool Pals

1/9/2014

The memorial plaques by the Liverpool sculptor, Mr Tom Murphy, were dedicated in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO ADC(P) on Sunday 31st August at Liverpool Lime Street Station. This is a most fitting location for the memorial since the railway played such a pivotal part in the move of troops and materiel throughout the First World War. The Pals were first mustered at St George's Hall, just across Lime Street from the station.

The Liverpool Pals were more formally known as the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Service Battalions of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) which fought in France in the First World War. They were raised together, with the intention that they should train and fight together. Two further battalions the 21st and the 22nd Reserve Service Battalions stayed in the United Kingdom training recruits for the four Service Battalions. The four Service Battalions had their first experience of Battle at the Somme in July 1916 when the were initially successful in reaching their objectives. They fought throughout the rest of the war until a shortage of recruits led to amalgamations and a disbandment before the war's end in 1918. The 17th Battalion's last action was in Russia in 1919.