Bootle War Memorial facts for kids
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The Bootle War Memorial stands in Bootle South Recreation Ground, in Bootle, Merseyside, England. This special monument was built to remember the brave people from Bootle who died in the World Wars. Money for the memorial came from both the local council and donations from the public. A famous sculptor named Herman Cawthra designed it, with help from Hubert Ernest Bulmer. The memorial features a mother and child on top of a tall stone pillar called an obelisk. Around the pillar are statues of three servicemen: a soldier, a sailor, and an airman. It was first shown to the public in 1922. Names of those who died in the Second World War were added in 1948. This memorial is now a very important historical site, recognized as a Grade II* listed building.
History of the Bootle Memorial
In 1920, a special committee was formed to plan and build a war memorial for Bootle. The local council agreed to give £2,000 towards the cost. The rest of the money was raised through donations from the public. It was quite unusual for the council to give money back then, as most war memorials were paid for entirely by public donations.
Herman Cawthra was chosen as the sculptor. He worked with Hubert Ernest Bulmer, who was the borough's art director, to design the memorial. Some of Cawthra's models were even shown at the Royal Academy before they became part of the memorial. The bronze figures were made by M. Manenti, and the stone parts were built by Henry A. Clegg and Sons.
The memorial was officially revealed on 15 October 1922 by Major James Burnie. A very large crowd gathered for this important event. Later, in 1948, the names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the memorial. It was then re-dedicated in a new ceremony on 16 April 1950.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Bootle War Memorial is made from stone from the Forest of Dean. Its figures are made of bronze, cast by the Manenti foundry. The whole memorial stands about 7.3 meters (24 feet) tall. The figures standing on the base are about 2.1 meters (7 feet) high.
The base of the monument has two round steps. It has twelve sides, separated by decorative pillars called pilasters. Between these pillars are bronze plaques. These plaques are inscribed with the names of the men from Bootle who died in the World Wars.
On top of the base is a triangular obelisk with curved sides. This obelisk holds a statue of a mother holding her child. Around the base of the obelisk are three standing figures. These figures represent a soldier, a sailor, and an airman. Between these figures are three bronze wreaths, which are symbols of remembrance. On the west side of the memorial, there is a plaque that remembers the Liverpool Escort Force from the Second World War. An important message on the monument reads: "In grateful memory of over a thousand men from Bootle who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, 1914-1918."
Why the Memorial is Important
The Bootle War Memorial was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building on 17 January 1986. A Grade II listing means it is a "building of national importance and special interest." This shows how valuable and unique the memorial is. Because of its great importance, it was later upgraded to Grade II* on 23 March 2018. This higher grade means it is an even more significant historical building.
