A PLAQUE commemorating Wallasey Town Hall's role as a military hospital during the First World War has been unveiled.

Mayor of Wirral Cllr Steve Foulkes praised the efforts of the driving force behind the project, Carl Leckey and John Christiansen, a pupil mentor at Mosslands School, Wallasey.

Attending the ceremony were members of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal British Legion, the Red Cross, and Forces' veterans.

The town hall was used as a military hospital from August 1916 to 1919. By the time it was handed back to the council, 6,500 wounded soldiers had been treated within its walls.

Wirral Globe:

Sounding 'The Last Post' after the plaque was unveiled this morning. Picture: Paul Heaps

Addressing the crowd before giving his dedication prayer, Rev Alan Ward, rector of St Hilary’s Parish Church in Wallasey, said: “This plaque is for those people, too numerous to mention, who conducted the day-to-day running of the hospital.

“We remember the commitment and care of those who gave their time to help those most in need.

“May it stand as a memorial, for all the world to see, to their commitment beyond the call of duty.”

Before unveiling the plaque, Mayor Foulkes paid tribute to service and nursing personnel who had worked and been cared for at the hospital, which also received casualties during World War Two.

He said: “We must also learn from the horrors of the First World War. It is an important part of remembering the casualties of war and making sure it never happens again."

He told guests, who included members of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal British Legion, the Red Cross, and Forces' veterans.

Wirral Globe:

Rev Alan Ward, John Christiansen, Mayor Steve Foulkes and Carl Leckey MBE following this morning's ceremony. Picture: Paul Heaps

Mr Leckey told the Globe: "For years I’ve been putting memorial plaques along the prom in memory of the ships that were sunk during the war.

"This work has culminated in the big one – the unveiling of the plaque at the town hall.

"The town hall was actually bombed in the Second World War, so it’s had history in both conflicts."

Wirral Globe:

Mayor Steve Foulkes unveils the plaque during this morning's ceremony. Picture: Paul Heaps

Mr Leckey continued: "Could you imagine being a casualty and being transferred all the way over here for treatment.

"I hope it never happens again, to the degree that it did in the First World War.

"My granddad went through it.

"He was with the Labour Corps and was the guy who picked up the bodies and buried them after the war.

"But nobody thinks of these people; they think of all the soldiers fighting, but there are all these back-up people who were equally in danger and peril.”

Wirral Globe:

Sounding 'The Last Post' during this morning's ceremony. Picture: Paul Heaps

Mr Christiansen said: "When I started this project I was senior learning mentor at Mosslands School and the plaque is recognises the important role played at the town hall during the war 

"I've lived in Wallasey all my life and didn't realise the building was actually used as a military hospital.

"So, hopefully people will see the plaque and it may jog peoples' memories as to what went on in the hospital during that time.

"Carl Leckey contacted the school in September 2013 and asked whether we were interested in a project on the First World War.

"The history department got involved and we tried to research the history as much as possible." 

Wirral Globe:

Watching this morning's ceremony. Picture: Paul Heaps

Major Alistair Bond, media officer for the Royal Army Medical Corps Liverpool said: "We've come along to celebrate the unveiling of a plaque which signifies quite an important part of our history.