Beyond the War Memorials - the stories behind the names
Sefton lost around 4,000 men and women from 1914–1918 during The Great War, their names are inscribed on the 11 memorials throughout the borough. With support from a Heritage Lottery Grant, Sefton Libraries have created a website - Sefton War Memorials, not only commemorate the war ending 100 years, but also to tell the stories behind the names of the brave men and women who gave their lives.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, Sefton Libraries sought to complete the research into the fallen from the both World Wars, to look beyond the stark list of names, and find the hidden stories of the brave men, women and children who lost their lives. With support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, libraries have created a webpage listing the fallen from World War Two.
A 26-page commemoration booklet has also been produced. It documents how World War Two came to the streets, fields and beaches of the area which would later become Sefton. Bootle suffered some of the worst destruction in the country. Maghull housed American soldiers in camps, Formby was chosen as a site for operation 'Starfish' and drew enemy fire away from Liverpool and the Docks. Fort Crosby kept a watch over the entrance to the port of Liverpool and the beaches of Southport became an army training ground.
Sefton's Lost Voices
Sefton Libraries have a project called Lost Voices - recording the memories of people who have a compelling story to share or who may be in the early stages of memory loss.
A set of recordings may be held in Sefton Libraries’ archive; these could prove to be an invaluable tool for school children and students studying social history, or anyone who would be interested in listening to the oral history of a Sefton resident.
The recordings can also be used by the person and the family as an 'aide-memoir' to trigger conversations and help re-connect with family and friends, and as a keepsake for the whole family.
For more information, call us on 0151 934 5781 or email: library.service@sefton.gov.uk with 'Lost Voices' in the email title.