Sefton Council’s Library Service is marking this year’s 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with the publication of a special booklet that unearths incredible stories from across the Borough during the war years.
The new publication Sefton at War: World War Two has been created by library staff who searched through the archives to discover more about Sefton’s role during this period.
The booklet is now available to buy online forms.sefton.gov.uk/LibraryPublications/.
The booklet will cost £3 (plus postage) with £1 from every sale going to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
Readers will discover how World War II came to the docks, streets, beaches and rural fields of the area that would later become Sefton.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “During such a poignant year that commemorates 75 years since the end of the Second World War, I am proud to see that Sefton Library Service has brought together this compelling booklet, which pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who served and lived through the conflict.”
Contained in the booklet are stories of Crosby’s coastline defences and the Polish airmen based at RAF Woodvale who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our skies.
It explains how Maghull and Aintree welcomed American servicemen and the families of Polish military personnel and tells how Southport played host to Government departments forced out of London by bombing in the capital.
And it reflects on Bootle’s resilience withstanding some of the worst destruction in the country and on Formby’s remarkable civilian endeavour in drawing the enemy’s fire and taking in evacuees.
Every school in Sefton has been gifted a copy of the book for their school libraries so that children can discover the Borough’s important wartime history.
A grant from the Heritage Lottery fund enabled Sefton Libraries to produce the booklet.
Find out more about libraries across Sefton here: www.sefton.gov.uk/libraries
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