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World War 1
Victoria Cross hero honoured
ON Sunday, 24 August 2014,
a Commemorative Paving Stone was unveilled in memory of a Liverpool
man who was awarded one of the 1st Victoria Cross medals during
World War 1, a century to the day. Ernest Alexander was from Princes
Park, Liverpool, and a Lieutenant Colonel in the 119th battery of
the Royal Field Artillery. He was 1 of 8 men from Liverpool to be
awarded the Victoria Cross during World War 1, and the others will
be honoured in the same way between now and 2018. The memorial is
part of a national scheme run by the Department for Communities and
Local Government which will see every World War 1 Victoria Cross
recipient remembered. The 8 from Liverpool make up part of the
staggering 627 individuals who received the Victoria during the 1st
World War, although in total 628 VCs were awarded because Noel
Chavasse, was awarded twice. The new Commemorative Paving Stone is
made from of York stone Scoutmoor and like the other 626, carries
the individuals, the rank and regiment of the individual (at the
time the VC was awarded) and the date of the action for which the VC
was awarded.
Ernest Alexander gained the award
in 1914, after he defended his World battery at Elouges in Belgium
from German soldiers, against overwhelming odds, enabling them to
withdraw without serious loss. The citation for the medal in the
London Gazette also highlighted his bravery in rescuing a wounded
man under heavy fire "with the greatest gallantry and devotion
to duty." His Commemorative Paving Stone is located at the
Sunburst Gates, of Princes Park, in Liverpool. The unveiling
was attended by Lord Mayor, Councillor Erica Kemp, veterans and
serving soldiers from the Royal Artillery and members of the Friends
of Princes Park.
The Lord Mayor said:-
"Ernest Alexander was a brave and fearless soldier whose selfless
actions saved many lives. It is important that his contribution to
World War 1 is remembered and I am privileged to be able to attend
the unveiling of the stone. It will be a permanent reminder of the
incredible contribution that he made to the war effort and his role
in making sure that more soldiers weren't lost."
Ernest was also awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath, the
Companion of St. Michael and St. George, and the Belgian Croix de
Guerre. He is also remembered with a memorial at Putney Vale
Cemetery in London. He retired in 1920 to live in Kingsbridge,
Devon, where he died on 25 August 1934, aged 63. Efforts to trace
his relatives, including by a local historian, have proved
unsuccessful.
Ernest Alexander biography
Ernest was born on 2 October 1870, the son of Robert and Annie
Alexander, who lived at 38 Devonshire Road, Princes Park. Some
records also show the family had a property in Everton and the
family also later lived at Woolton Heyes. His father was a prominent
shipowner, originally from Belfast and 'Alexander and Co'
later became the famous 'Hall Line' which eventually
became part of the Ellerman shipping company. Educated at Malvern
and later Harrow, he went to the Royal Military Academy. He served
in the Royal Field Artillery in India rising to the rank of Major in
1906. He married Rose in 1903, and their family grew to include two
daughters and 2 sons. Following the outbreak of War, the British
Expeditionary Force attempted to stem the enemy advance and the
Battle of Mons commenced on 23 August 1914. Ernest was also awarded
the Companion of the Order of the Bath, the Companion of St. Michael
and St. George, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. He retired in 1920
to live in Kingsbridge, Devon, where he died on 25 August 1934. He
is also remembered with a memorial at Putney Vale Cemetery, London.
Did you know... that the very 1st VC of World War 1
was awarded posthumously, on 23 August 1914, just 24hrs before
Alexander’s actions? His medal was sold privately to a collector in
1999.
Did you know... that the Victoria Cross Commemorative
Paving Stones' design was chosen through a competition open to the
public? All the competition entries were judged by a panel of 7
judges:- Sebastian Faulks, Michael Burleigh, Major General Patrick
Cordingley, Dame Helen Ghosh, Diane Lees, Lord Ashcroft and L/Sgt.
Johnson Beharry VC. The overall competition was won by Charlie
MacKeith, an architect and the director of Research Design
Architecture.
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Major campaign
launched to raise awareness and action amongst local MPs
THE Labour Party proposals
designed to protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords and agents
are "set to backfire; resulting in higher rents and a dramatic
drop in quality rented housing", according to a press
release issued by Powell PR for Belvoir.
The press release also said that:- "That's the stark warning
from Belvoir, one of the UK's largest lettings agencies, that is
rapidly gathering support in a campaign to inform MPs and tenants
about the flawed policies being put forward by the current
Opposition party."
Belvoir, which has over 150 offices nationwide, including 6 on
Merseyside, manages a portfolio of over 30,000 properties. It says
that:- "Labour's controversial proposals, which include the
banning of tenancy fees, introduction of rental caps and statutory
long term rental agreements, will only help rogue landlords and
agents to introduce higher rents 'by the back door'."
Dorian Gonsalves, Commercial Director at Belvoir, in the realese
says:- "The truth is that each and every day professional,
responsible and reputable agents, who charge a reasonable and
proportionate fee for the services they provide, actually SAVE
tenants money. Those agents who don't follow the rules; and there
are still a lot of them out there; may appear to be cheaper by
offering a 'cut price' service, but in many cases this service could
be inadequate and fail in meeting certain legal requirements that
could prove costly for both landlords and tenants in the longer
term. Self regulating agencies, such as Belvoir, provide high levels
of service, expertise and objectivity when managing landlord/client
relationships and we ensure that tenants' interests are always
safeguarded and protected; particularly when dealing with issues
such as maintenance or breakage costs and end of tenancy
agreements."
Major campaign launched to raise
awareness and action amongst local MPs
LABOUR is also proposing the introduction of
capped rental increases and yet the majority of landlords have not
increased rent levels at all since 2008. This according to the
release this is "supported by Belvoir's nationwide Rental
Index Survey, which tracks and monitors property rental prices
throughout the UK. However, if interest rates rise, as they are
widely predicted to do, a cap on rents could have a real negative
impact on many landlords, who could be forced to sell off their
property portfolios, thereby reducing even further much need stock
of private rented properties." added Dorian.
Also in the release, Paul Rice, who owns the Belvoir Office, located
on Cheapside in Liverpool, says:- "As a company that is
consistently recognised and awarded top honours by the UK's property
industry for our professional and ethical approach, we have taken a
lead in contacting MPs throughout each region to make them fully
aware of the benefits and high levels of protection that
professional, self regulating agents provide to tenant clients. We
intend to fight Labour's proposals in order to protect tenants from
falling prey to many of the rogue landlords and agents which, sadly,
still exist. We believe these proposed policies are unworkable, not
properly thought through and ultimately will only harm the interests
of housing tenants. It's a message that we want all existing or
prospective tenants to hear and many of our offices are already
receiving a very positive response from their local MPs, keen to
understand more in depth about these important issues."
Dorian Gonsalves also adds that:- "Belvoir, along with all
other reputable agents, wants to see Government bring in regulation
for the entire sector, but it is essential that we, along with other
professional bodies, are given the opportunity to help shape the
future of such regulation so that both tenants and landlords can be
assured of a high quality and transparent service in the future."
Do you agree with this? Email your views to us via:-
news24@southportreporter.com
and let us know what you really think...
The latest update from the Formby
Photo Group THE
Formby Photographic Club is holding it's 1st meeting of the new 2014
to 2015 season, at Formby Fellowship Church Hall, 93 Church Road,
Formby, from 8.00pm to 10.00pm, on 4 September 2014. The club says
that:- "All would be new members are welcome to come as a
guest, 3 times at £2 per visit, which will include refreshments. If
after the 3 visits you would like to join then the £3 will be
deducted from the Membership fee of £25 for the season."
The 1st Speaker at a club meeting, of the new Season, will be
conducted by Barry Aldous, on Thursday, 18 September 2014, at the
same time and venue as that of the 1st meeting. Barry's presentation
will be entitled:- "Introducing The Third Dimension"
It will comprise image sequences and audio visual shows by stereo
photographers, past and present, and will demonstrate the range of
photographic styles and techniques used by stereoscopic
photographers since the early days of the Society. This should be a
fantastic night as he is the Folio Group Co-ordinator of The
Stereoscopic Society. The Society (founded in 1893), has a long
tradition of capturing the world stereoscopically in 3D using ready
made cameras and self build equipment. Also the 2014
Annual Photo Exhibition, on 6 September 2014, will be held by the
club at Formby's Holy Trinity Parish Hall, on Rosemary, from 10am to
4pm. The club will be charging just £1 admission £1, that will
include refreshments and catalogue of the 200+ exhibition prints on
display. The event will also showcase the winners of the club's
Annual Competition - 2014. Further details about the club and
it's activities can be found online at:-
formbyphoto.com also on
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