Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Bidston Hill Underground Tunnels Part 1

Why of course lol, what they dont realise is when they say things like that, instead of its purpose of deterring people from taking an interest, it actually heightens interest in the site lol.

That would be good

We need to have a closer look, any one coming down?
Me Matty, Totopop and Whelan are on our way if your interested

1. Tunnel Entrance (Graffiti walls)
2. New Find Possible Shaft
3. Needs to be checked out.
4. Possible entrance ??

I 'accidently' found what that circle thing might be in some old history books I have...



Aparantly, it says its an old cock-pit where in the 1930's, cock-fighting took place. It is also suggested that it may be foundations of the old mill from the 1890's.

The Birkenhead News reported that Peter Crawford, Chair of Bidston Preservation Society has researched into memories of the deep air raid shelters built under Bidston Hill and under Tranmere in 1941. The tunnels were 7 ft wide and 6 ft high. 2,213 bunks and 793 seats were provided as well as a canteen and toilets. The tunnels were blocked up in the 1950s

Humm another variation to the thicken the plot.

Got to go out so will catch up later

I did originally think this was an Anti aircraft position


but i have been unable to prove it.

so i searched the whole WWW and it is possibly an old mill like this one from 1937. the round stone shape looks about right but on a smaller scale due to it being a hand driven mill and our picture being a more powerful windmill. I don't think they would put an Anti Aircraft gun on the hill as it would then make Bidston hill and the underlying tunnels a target? rather they have it look as just a unused hill?.

There may be something in that quote from 28days
as a centre post and the horses go round and round??
or is that the other place with the black arrow??

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=208868&postcount=47

nah it isnt the place with the black arrow who knows what that was meant to be?

could try and find this book in the library...

Wirral on the Home Front 1939-45 Cost £11.95
Ian Boumphrey Postage £2.25
Ian Boumphrey
128pp A4 colour More



Following the interest shown in his previous three publications concerning the Second World War on the Home Front in the Wallasey and Birkenhead areas, Ian has decided to compile a book which covers the whole of the Wirral Peninsula, including many reminiscences of those who lived through the war years in Wirral.
This book is focusing more on the role of the Civil Defence: - Air Raid Wardens; Observer Corps; WVS; Women‘s Land Army; Messenger Service and especially the Home Guard, within Wirral including: Ellesmere Port; Little Sutton; Bromborough; Bebington; Burton; Heswall; Thurstaston; West Kirby; Hoylake; Moreton; Greasby; Wallasey and Birkenhead. I have included details of how many local schools coped including: Wallasey High School; Wallasey Grammar School; Puddydale School, Heswall; Wirral Grammar School for boys and for girls; Birkenhead School; Calday Grammar School; Upton Convent and Holt Hill Convent.
Other subjects covered include: reminiscences of Guernsey evacuees to Irby; Tranmere Tunnels & Bidston Tunnels - with maps; rationing - food, clothes etc; Wartime Weddings; Colonel Turner‘s Department [Decoy Sites] and Victory Celebrations etc.
The book is illustrated with over 180 pictures of which over 100 are in full colour - including War-time Posters and comic postcards of the time; also pictures of various Home Guard and other Civilian Defence units - including: Irby; Pensby; Heswall; Hoylake; Wallasey; Thurstaston etc. 128 pages with 180 photographs including over 100 in full colour.

I have it in the car hehe, its the one I got out the library this morning.

I will get it from the car in a bit and have a read through it.

ye should scan the map matey so it can be overlayed onto an ariel photo and maybe scan the relevant pages to keep on t'interweb

I aint got a scanner lmao - but I can easily use my camera, its perfect for text hehe.

nice one, found this too, but couldnt b arsed readin it all to find the relavant bit....
there are archive photographs and plans of the Tranmere and Bidston Hill. tunnels, and anyone who wishes to look at these can contact Rod to arrange. this. ...

www.wirral.gov.uk/minute/public/birkenhead_14968.pdf - 437k - View as html

this sounds like another way in ?.....