I thought this was worth posting for those who have no knowledge of these items. My uncle was killed during WW1. His name is on the monument at Hamilton square and because his body was never found his name is also on the Thiepval Monument, France. After the war all next of kin of those killed received a Scroll and Plaque from the King and country, accompanied by a letter from the King. Though all next of kin received the Plaque, you were lucky to receive the scroll. The Plaque became known as the dead man's penny.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
Those that survived were then treated like dirt. Those widowed or fatherless struggled to live on peanuts. People were literally forced to sell their furniture before they could claim benefits. A land fit for hero's was the call when the war was going on but instead it became a living hell for a lot of people. Douglas Haig did okay though despite sending hundreds of thousands to needless deaths.
RIP Berts uncle and all the others who died for nothing while the few profiteered as usual.
How many people are aware of the thirties riots in Birkenhead? This was a direct result of Birkenhead council cutting benefits to an already struggling population. The Queens in Park Road East was wrecked and railings from Birkenhead park were torn down to use as weapons.
A number of people were wrongly imprisoned on trumped up charges and their families suffered more. I can't remember the name of the book but it is a fascinating read and details the whole dirty business. Edit, just found it. Idle Hands, Clenched Fists The Depression in a Shipyard Town by Stephen F. Kelly
Well worth looking for or as your library to get it for you before they are all shut down of course.
I have a friend who told me of her grandfather being in the '30's riots in Birkenhead. She said that the whole family were terribly ashamed of the fact that their 'Grandad', a dock worker, was put in jail with others even though they were rioting to protest at the cuts in benefits to their friends. Most workers were poor and had little to eat already. These rioters must have been pushed to their limits to act like they did. Also the stigma of being a 'jailbird' was worse on being let out.
My Uncle is on the WWII memorial and I have another relative (not sure who until I ask my Mum) on the WWI memorial. I'll have to see if she knows anything about the plaque.
Sometimes Police Officers give more than just speeding tickets!
It�s hard to be fit as a fiddle when you�re shaped like a cello!
well he was local i think, or possibly still lived in Gwaenysgor where that side of family is from. I've tried war grave site couldn't find him. But then I don't know what his rank was, just name and birthdate
There are plenty of sites you could look on, but they would all probably cost you money. If you could get his Forces number it would greatly help you. try Gwaenysgor Memorial site.
Last edited by bert1; 15th Dec 200812:27pm.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
I didn't know about any riot in Birkenhead, why didn't my mum and dad tell me. Was it because it was in the Northend. I would not have thought it was in the posher parts of Birkenhead, after all it was the Northenders that had been the most disadvantaged. I am gobsmacked about all this, I just can't beleive the things I don't know my own home town. I'll have to get the book now and read up on it. I have just Googled the book and it is top of the searches on a French website, funny eh.
Think you will find the riots which ended up a running fight with the police where along the park road north area. Thats where the spikes where broken off the railings as weapons. Apart from the rights and wrongs of what happened if you dig deep you will find there where a group of agitators who got things going and as always slip away and are not the ones who ended up in jail
Ships that pass in the night, seldom seen and soon forgoten
Missguided,Ducko and I work as volunteers for "The War graves photographic project" who are attached to the common wealth war graves.I have a contact who may be able to help or at least put you onto someone who can.I will pm you with his email.
Relating to the first posting, The THIEPVAL MEMORIAL is engraved with the names of 73,367 British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the first battle of the Somme 1916, who have no known grave.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
I think every one should visit the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL at some time during there life. It is only when you stand there and look at the long lists of names carved in stone that you begine to realize the numbers of men that where killed. Nobody walks away from that monument with dry eyes. Numbers on paper have little meaning in comparison
Ships that pass in the night, seldom seen and soon forgoten
