A WIRRAL-born soldier who helped lead a unique battalion in the First World War has been honoured with a blue plaque.

George Schultz was a Company Commander of the Bigland’s 1st Battalion Birkenhead Bantams, a revolutionary body for men under 5ft 3ins.

The Blue Plaque was presented by the Oxton Society and unveiled outside his former home in Silverdale Road, Oxton on Saturday by Major Paul Hands from Chetwynd Barracks.

Jeff Willis, vice chair of the Oxton Society, said: "The Blue Plaque Scheme celebrates the links between notable local figures of the past and the building in which they lived.

"This is a fitting tribute to George Schultz and the important role all of the other soldiers of the Birkenhead Bantams played in the First World War."

George, born in 1887, was a Lieutenant in the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment before emigrating to Canada in 1911.

On the onset of war, he responded to Kitchener’s call for volunteers and returned to Wirral immediately.

Alfred Bigland, another Oxton resident and MP for Birkenhead, had persuaded the War Office to permit the raising of a battalion made up of men under the Army’s regulation height, although the officers were all taller. This is the only time when the name of Birkenhead was used in the official title of a battalion.

In August 1917 while leading his company to capture a strategic hill known as The Knoll in Picardy, France, George, age 30, was fatally wounded.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Inter-Allied Victory Medal and his name is etched on the Birkenhead Cenotaph.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony his grandson, John Schultz, said the Blue Plaque was not only a fitting tribute to his grandfather, but to the other 920 soldiers from the Birkenhead Bantams who lost their lives during the conflict.

A booklet about George Schultz’s life has been produced by the Oxton Society History Group and is available via www.theoxtonsociety.co.uk

Wirral Globe:

In front of the Blue Plaque in Silverdale Road are, left to right, Captain Rob Barr MBE from 234 (Wirral) Squadron RLC Chetwyd Barracks, Sarah Richmond and her son Seb who live in the property now, Oxton Society vice-chair Jeff Willis, George Schultz’ grandson John, Major Paul Hands who did the official unveiling, Bob Knowles of the Oxton Society History Group and the current owner Dominic Richmond. Picture: James O’Hanlon.

Wirral Globe:

Captain Rob Barr MBE (left) and Major Paul Hands from 234 (Wirral) Squadron RLC Chetwyd Barracks at the official unveiling of a Blue Plaque outside the former home of war hero George Schultz in Silverdale Road, Oxton. Picture courtesy of James O’Hanlon