Liverpool Naval Memorial facts for kids
The Liverpool Naval Memorial is a special monument in Liverpool, England. It stands proudly at Pier Head, right next to the River Mersey. This memorial remembers almost 1,400 brave men from the British Merchant Navy. These men died during World War II while helping the Royal Navy. They have no known grave, so this memorial honors their sacrifice.
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Remembering Brave Sailors
During World War II, over 13,000 sailors from the Merchant Navy volunteered to work with the Royal Navy. The Merchant Navy usually carries goods and passengers. But in wartime, their ships and skills were very important for the war effort.
These sailors served on special ships called auxiliary vessels. An example is an armed merchant cruiser, which was a regular ship fitted with weapons. Even though they were civilians, they followed military rules. Liverpool was the main place where these brave sailors were registered and managed.
Designing the Memorial
After World War II ended, people wanted to create a memorial to honor these lost sailors. The Imperial War Graves Commission, now called the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, held a competition. Architects who had served in the armed forces could submit their designs.
The winning design was created by two architects, Charles Frederick Blythin and Stanley Harold Smith. A sculptor named George Herbert Tyson Smith helped with the artistic parts. The memorial was officially revealed on November 12, 1952. A very important naval leader, Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, did the honors.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial is a tall, round column made of Portland stone. This is a type of white limestone often used for important buildings. At the very top, there is a glass lantern. It looks a bit like a lighthouse, with special glass that reflects light.
The column stands on a half-circle platform, also made of Portland stone. You can walk up to the platform using six steps. Around the platform are curved walls. On these walls, you'll see two stone globes. One is a terrestrial globe, showing the Earth. The other is a celestial globe, showing the stars.
The memorial has a powerful message carved into it. It says: "These officers and men of the Merchant Navy died while serving with the Royal Navy and have no grave but the sea 1939–1945." The names of the nearly 1,400 lost sailors are written on 25 bronze plaques. These plaques are placed all around the curved stone walls. In 2010, the memorial became a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Other Memorials Nearby
The Pier Head area in Liverpool is home to many memorials. You can find monuments honoring sailors from other countries who served in World War II. These include memorials for seamen from Norway, Poland, China, the Netherlands, and Belgium. There is also a separate memorial specifically for the Merchant Navy, which was unveiled in 1998.
There are plans to build an even larger memorial nearby. This new memorial would honor the Battle of the Atlantic, a very important naval battle during World War II. Sailors from the Merchant Navy who were lost at sea in both World War I and World War II are also remembered at the Merchant Navy Memorial in London.
Images for kids
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Norway
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China
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Netherlands
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Belgium and Poland
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Merchant Navy Memorial
