The first veterans to become Citizens of Honour under a new Liverpool City Council scheme are being presented with their certificates on Tuesday 16 September.
In June, the city council resolved to award surviving servicemen and women including Merchant Seafarers who served in World War II the Citizen of Honour civic award in recognition of the part they played in ensuring our freedom.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Erica Kemp, will make the award to the first 10 veterans the Royal British Legion’s pop-in centre on Williamson Street in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday 16 September.
On the same day, an application procedure is being launched for veterans to register to become a Citizen of Honour. The Royal British Legion is administering the application process at their pop-in centre, and an online application form is available by logging on to:
Lord Mayor, Councillor Erica Kemp said: “We must never forget the huge role that our veterans played in securing our freedom from fascism during World War II.
“Britain as we know it would have been a very different place but for the sacrifices that they made, and this is the city’s way of recognising the sacrifices that they made for us all.
“I am delighted to be able to present the first certificates and would urge any veterans, or anyone who knows a veteran, to make sure they register to become a Citizen of Honour.
“I would also like to thank the Royal British Legion for their support in helping find veterans and supporting us with the registration procedure.”
Bill Martin, The Royal British Legion’s County Secretary for Merseyside, said: “It is fitting that the City of Liverpool has taken the lead and extended this prestigious honour to the surviving veterans of World War Two.
“The city has superb links with the Armed Forces Community with many Serving Units and Ex-Service Associations including The Royal British Legion being included on the Freedom Roll of the city.”
“The Royal British Legion Cheshire & Merseyside is honoured and pleased to assist the city in administering the process in our brand new ‘Pop In’ Centre in Williamson Street in the city centre.
“We welcome all veterans or their families to pop in and complete an application form and to look at what services the Legion offers to the entire Armed Forces Community.”
It is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 veterans of the second World War living in Liverpool and many more who were born in the city.
