Progress is being made with a voluntary group that aims to improve and maintain the gardens around the Hoylake and West Kirby War Memorial on Grange Hill.
You can read more about the Friends of Grange Hill in this post over on WestKirby.org
Hoylake News, Views and much more!
Progress is being made with a voluntary group that aims to improve and maintain the gardens around the Hoylake and West Kirby War Memorial on Grange Hill.
You can read more about the Friends of Grange Hill in this post over on WestKirby.org
As someone old enough to have a parent killed in the 2nd world war (as many fo my school friends did) and can remember grandparents who were involved in the 1st world war I’m so glad that the memorial site is being looked after by such caring people. The horrors of war and the men’s bravery should never be forgotten.
Can I mention to the Friends of Grange Hill that, further down the hill is Lang Lane cemetery which includes the grave an headstone of Captain Gourley Victoria Cross.
Captain Gourley is one of only 3 VC reicipients on Wirral. At his request he is buried with his parents but his headstone with his VC engraved on it was not positioned on the grave but was placed at the back wall. He is also remembered by having the lane from Column Road to Calday Grammar School swimming pool named after him. Perhaps someone could take a look round and try to keep his grave and stone tidy in view of his remarkable achievement.
If anyone would like it I will research his award and post the details.
A second VC recipient was Lt O’Neill who served in WW 1 with 2nd Bn Leinster Fusiliers as a Sergeant and, at a time when his company was pinned down, he gather his section of about 12 men and lead a charge on the enemy position. They were so surprised that, after trying to kill them off, they turned and ran. During WW 2 he served as a Lt with the Pioneer Regiment at Hoylake but providing security at Liverpool docks. He died in 1943 and is buried in Holy Trinity churchyard close to the wall between the two gates.
The third was Lt Commander Ian Frazer VC who lived in Wallasey until about ten years ago.