Having just commemorated the 100th anniversary of Prescot War Memorial, the Friends of Prescot Cemetery & Churchyard are delighted to confirm that the statue was in fact the first to be erected in the UK.
The discovery comes via the Imperial War Museum, who confirmed it was the earliest war memorial on record.
Local residents, dignitaries, schoolchildren and military personnel attended a ceremony on Friday 9 September to mark 100 years to the day since the memorial was first unveiled.
It was followed by an enthusiastically received exhibition and refreshments in the packed-out Parish Meeting Room.
Friends Chair Viv Frodsham and Vice Chair Lesley Porter were interviewed by Radio Merseyside the day before, and they returned to cover the event, interviewing Lord Derby and historian Stephen Nulty.
Many thanks to all who helped organise the occasion, and to Geoff Ormesher for capturing the ceremony on camera.
Facts about Prescot War Memorial
- Commissioned by Councillor William John Lucas
- Sculpted from Aberdeen granite by Samuel Welsby of Widnes
- Unveiled on 9 September 1916 by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Webb
- Depicts a soldier from the South Lancashire Regiment
- Originally stood in Church Street
- Now stands behind the Parish Church, off Market Place
- Was given Grade II listed status in 2015
