SERVICEMEN from the region, including 30 found on a lost memorial, were honoured on Thursday 6 September, when their names were added to the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall.
Amanda Taylor from Woolton, was researching her husbands’ family tree when she came across a WW1 memorial which was housed in St James Church, Toxteth. The memorial was lost during the 30 years the church was closed.
On a photograph found of the memorial were the names of 62 servicemen, 30 of which were missing from the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool’s Town Hall. This included a relative of Amanda’s husband.
Reading the last line of the inscription – ‘Let those who come after see to it that their names be not forgotten’ – Amanda felt she had to honour this and, after much hard work confirming their eligibility, requested that all 30 remaining names be added to the Hall of Remembrance.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Sharon Sullivan said, “It is an honour to be adding the names of these 72 men to Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance.
“Thanks to Amanda’s hard work and determination the sacrifices made by these and all our brave service personnel, past and present, will never be forgotten.
“Today is a time for reflection and remembrance and also an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those lost during conflict. Our thoughts are with their families.”
Amanda joined relatives of the 72 servicemen, along with civic guests including the High Sheriff, who were invited to attend the services and a civic reception.
The Roll of Honour was unveiled by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales on the 2 July 1921. The list of war dead began to be compiled during the First World War when names of the fallen were posted in a window overlooking Exchange Flags and relatives queued to add names, it now carries the names of over 13,000 military men who have lost their lives in conflict.
Amazingly though there are still hundreds of names missing from the Hall, but thanks to the last service being partially televised a number of relatives have come forward resulting in the extensive number of additions and two services taking place this week.
The listings were set up on the Town Hall website a few years ago and anyone wishing to check their relatives can do so by visiting http://www2.liverpool.gov.uk/hallofremembrance/
Among those found on the memorial are:
James Tonkies – was in the merchant navy, he was an Ordinary Seaman on a liner when it collided with another ship in 1918. James was only 17. As his death wasn’t caused by enemy action he wasn’t eligible for a war grave and isn’t commemorated anywhere else.
Thomas Prichard M.C. – worked for the White Star Line before the war and was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 for special bravery and coolness in an attack by a hostile patrol, and was twice mentioned in dispatches for gallant and distinguished service in the field; he was killed in action on 28th March 1918
John Simpson D.C.M. – was born in Liverpool, emigrated to Canada but volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry and distinguished service in the field on 30th August 1918 and killed in action on 1st October 1918.
Henry Schonewald – his father was German, Henry was in the Liverpool Rifles, he volunteered aged 18 and was killed after only 50 days in France. His brother Charles was killed the following year, Charles is already listed in the Hall of Remembrance so the brothers names will both be there now.
Robert Isherwood – was a 38 year old widower with a young daughter when he volunteered in 1915. He was killed after only 3 months in France. His daughter Isabella was left an orphan aged 12, she was taken in by her aunt.
