GREAT CROSBY & BLUNDELLSANDS WAR MEMORIAL

Alexandra Park, Coronation Road, Great Crosby, Sefton L23 5RD

Great Crosby & Blundellsands’ War Memorial is located in Alexandra Park, on Coronation Road. Listed upon the memorial are the names of 261 service men, who gave their lives in the Great War.

The Memorial

Gardens of Remembrance surround the memorial in Alexandra Park, yet divided from the park with a separate entrance in Coronation Road.

The garden is in the shape of a spherical triangle with a circular and sunken rock garden. In the centre stands the Hopton Wood Stone Memorial Pedestal. Joseph Watson Cabré designed the four-sided obelisk; atop the memorial is featured an electric light representing a permanent flame of remembrance, and sitting on a fluted column underneath a stepped base with decorative elements, a small Latin cross is carved. Below the inscription panel face, a Fleury cross is carved on the base. The back panel face has an inscription for the Second World War; the names of the fallen are on the left and right panel faces.

A memorial committee was formed in March 1919, but delays caused concerns and the committee reformed in January 1921. The new committee was charged to proceed with fund raising and arrangements for a suitable Memorial and positon, to be approved by Great Crosby District Council.

Unveiling Ceremony

The memorial was unveiled on the 11th November 1923. Prior to the ceremony a memorial service was held at St Luke’s Church, and the Lord Bishop of Liverpool, Dr A. A. David, delivered his first sermon in the district. After the service had finished members of the council, dignitaries and the public proceeded to the Alexandra Park in Coronation Road. At the Memorial the King’s (Liverpool) 7th Battalion formed a guard of honour and the ceremony started with the hymn “Fight the Good Fight”. Rev. T. H Martin MA and the Rev. E. Hartley MA offered prayers. Lieutenant-Colonel Buckley then said “My Lord Derby I request you unveil the Memorial, which has been erected in thankful remembrance of the men from Great Crosby and Blundellsands who gave their lives for King and country in The Great War”.

Lord Derby gave a moving speech and then unveiled the memorial. There was silence as the Guard of Honour gave the general salute, and the buglers played the “Last Post” and “Reveille”. The Lord Bishop dedicated the memorial with a prayer, and the Vice-Chairman of the War Memorial Committee then requested on behalf of the subscribers and committee members that the chairman, Councillor Yates, accept the custody of the memorial for Great Crosby District Council. The ceremony finished with the hymn “O God our help in ages past”. The Lord Bishop pronounced a blessing and the ceremony concluded with “God Save Our King”. Crowds then laid floral tributes at the base of the memorial.

A service of re-dedication and remembrance held on 19th May 1996 added the names of the fallen from the Second World War and subsequent conflicts.