Hundreds turn out to remember the fallen in Wirral

Services were cancelled or scaled back last year because of the COVID-19 emergency.

But in splendid autumn sunshine, the public came together again this morning to pay silent tribute to those who have given their lives in conflicts across the world.

The mayor, councillor George Davies, was joined by The Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, along with representatives from the armed forces, veterans, cadets and the emergency services at The Cenotaph in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.

Services of remembrance also took place at war memorials in Bebington, Bromborough, Heswall, Moreton, New Brighton, Port Sunlight, Prenton, Thornton Hough, Upton, Wallasey and West Kirby.

A combination of parades, poem, prayer, silence and song produced, they stirred the emotions.

Mayor George Davies (pictured, below) said: "It's a part of normality coming back and I'm delighted that it has come back, so we can remember those who fought bravely for us during the two world wars and the conflicts that followed, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The weather was perfect too."

Picture: Paul Heaps

"It was very disappointing that we couldn't hold services last year, but it is fantastic to be back today.

Steve Hutchinson, vice chair of the Royal British Legion in Birkenhead - the charity's founding branch - said: "It was very disappointing that we couldn't hold services last year, but it is fantastic to be back today.

"Traditionally, Birkenhead and Merseyside have been great supporters of the armed forces.

"In recent years, with recent conflicts, Birkenhead's services have got bigger and more popular. To all those who have turned out today, I would say 'thank you'."

Pictures (below) from today's Remembrance service in Birkenhead by Paul Heaps