Bootle War Memorial, including flight of steps and flanking stone tablets

First World War memorial,1922,with later additions for the Second World War.

MATERIALS: Forest of Dean sandstone; bronze

DESCRIPTION: The memorial stands within a raised enclosure at the western edge of the public park. It is accessed by a flight of steps at the west side and is enclosed by low hedging. To the south is the Grade II-listed Statue of Edward VII.

The memorial is constructed in Forest of Dean sandstone and consists of a pedestal surmounting a plinth on a stepped platform crowned with a bronze statue of a mother and child. The plinth is a circular drum with a moulded cornice while the pedestal is triangular on plan with concave faces. The plinth carries twelve bronze panels framed by fluted pilasters, three panels breaking forward, with the names of the fallen in relief lettering, 1,007 in total. Around the base of the plinth an inscription reads, IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF OVER/ A THOUSAND MEN/ FROM BOOTLE WHO MADE THE/ SUPREME SACRIFICE/ IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918/ AND 1939 - 1945. Above, standing on the plinth within the three concave faces of the pedestal, are life-size bronze statues of an infantryman, an airman and a seaman. The soldier and seaman stand at ease, the airman looks skyward while pulling on his gloves. Dress, weaponry and equipment are depicted in great detail. The base-ends of the pedestal each carry a bronze laurel wreath. On the west side a stone plaque within an aedicular frame is inscribed, IN MEMORY/ OF THE MEN OF THE/ LIVERPOOL ESCORT FORCE/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ 1939- 1945/ “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE“/ SAITH THE LORD.

The steps to the west side of the memorial are flanked by low, broad ramped sandstone tablets inscribed with the names of those who died in the Second World War. The names continue on inset bronze panels with relief lettering, 540 in total.