Southport will welcome HRH The Princess Royal on Friday 29th September 2023 to mark the re-dedication of the town’s War Memorial, which will be 100 years old on 18 November this year.
Her Royal Highness will be attending the event in her capacity as President of the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion.
Located in London Square on Lord Street, the War Memorial was unveiled on 18th November 1923 by the Earl of Derby along with local children of the fallen from World War One.
The impressive structure comprises an obelisk flanked by two colonnades in the form of Greek temples. Outside the colonnades are public memorial gardens, each containing a Pool of Remembrance and fountains.
The War Memorial on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
One of the largest outside of London, the memorial was designed by the local architects Grayson and Barnish, with the carving executed by Herbert Tyson Smith.
The event will consist of a parade marching from Victoria Park in Southport to the War Memorial where a Drumhead Service will be conducted to mark the re-dedication of the War Memorial.
The re-dedication will be directed by Colonel (Retd) Monsignor Stephen Alker MBE and attended by senior civil dignitaries and senior military figures.
The parade will be led by the Band of the Royal Air Force College and be made up of Armed Forces personnel and Veterans from all three services, as well as Combined Cadet Force cadets from Merchant Taylors School and contingents from all 28 schools in the Southport area.
Event organiser, Major Nick McEntee TD VR REME and Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Southport, said:
“It is a huge honour to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Southport for the re-dedication of the town’s War Memorial which honours the fallen from the First World War through to the present day.
“It means a great deal to the armed forces community and people of the Southport area that she will be here to mark its centenary.”
The War Memorial on Lord Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The parade and rededication will start late morning on Friday 29th September 2023 and conclude early afternoon. Specific timings will be confirmed in due course.
For further information please contact southport.secretary@rbl.community
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