Princess Anne leads the rededication Southport War Memorial to commemorate its 100th Anniversary - Part 2 of 2
Photographs on this page by Patrick Trollope.

THIS is part 2 of our coverage of the officially rededication of Southport's War Memorial (Cenotaph) to commemorate its 100th Anniversary of its installation, that took place on:- Friday, 29 September 2023.  Sadly, due time factor, with the security restrictions that had to be undertaken on the day, we have not got footage of the march to the Drumhead Service, at The Monument, from Victoria Park, but we have got the full footage of the Drumhead Service along with the ceremony with Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, at The Monument, together with video of the March Back to Victoria Park on hear and on our YouTube Channel. Both our footage and stills on this page are a mixture of photos and video clips filmed and taken for us by our Editor, Patrick Trollope, and freelance photographer Peter Bailey.

The event saw children from 27 local School taking part along with representatives of the Armed Forces, both past and present. The school children represented the 320 local children whose parents had been tragically killed on the battlefields in World War 1, who had raised the Ł30,000 was raised to build the memorial The anniversary of the original dedication of this impressive structure was conducted by the 17th Earl of Derby, Edward Richard William Stanley, on:- 18 November 1923.  Lord Sranley he was a Politician, who became  Secretary of State for War in 1916, and a former British Ambassador to France (1918 to 1920). He was also a former Private Secretary to Lord Roberts during the 2nd Boer War, in 1900. But, he is best known in history books for his appointment as the Director of Recruiting in World War 1, due to his schemes that paved the way for conscription and the:- 'Battalion of Pals.' Within this group where 2 men from Southport who received the Victoria Cross (VC) and who's sacrifice is marked in 2 locations next to the Memorial's Obelisk and in the Memorial Gardens, on Lord Street.

Since the  was 1st built to commemorate the Great War, hundreds more were added following World War 2, and from conflicts around the world since then, including:- in Iraq and Afghanistan. The structure is now 1 of the largest outside of London, and was placed on the listed building register, on:- 15 November 1972, and later designated a Grade II* listed building, on the National Heritage List for England, on:- 5 March 2010.

Don't forget o go to this years Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph, on 12 November 2023, from approximately:- 10:15am to 12om (noon). this annual event takes place at the same time as the National Service of Remembrance, in London. The Southport event includes a March Past, and participants are expected to stand for the proceedings. Like the National Service of Remembrance,, this Act of Remembrance also remembers the served and sacrificed their lives, and all those who have lost lives to war and terrorism, with British and Commonwealth Territories. This includes serving and veteran soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, who will be represented, together with members of the emergency services, and civilians, ensuring that no-one is forgotten. This event is run, just like this Rededication Service by the Royal British Legion (RBL).

To see Part 1 of our coverage, please click on here.  More photos are also on the following 6 pages within this edition. Please do let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.

  More Photos