COMMEMORATIVE plaques will be dedicated to the memory of 160 Merseyside police officers who died during WWI.

Merseyside Police will place the plaques along the railings of their headquarters today (Friday) and they will be complemented by poppies which were planted by school children earlier this year.

Police and crime commissioner Jane Kennedy will be joined by Cathy Davidson who is one of the granddaughters of Sgt Major Frederick Collins, who was a serving officer with Liverpool City Police.

Cathy will be placing her grandfather’s plaque onto the railings with the help of Police Cadets, Sea Cadets, RAF Cadets and an Army representative today from 12pm at Merseyside Police HQ.

IS Service Improvements manager Emma Jones came up with the idea to commemorate the officers who died, she said: “This is the second event we are holding to commemorate those officers who sacrificed their lives in the First World War.

"It’s fantastic to be able to meet and speak with the relatives of those brave officers who not only served the public locally but also served their country.

"It’s great to hear their stories and I hope more families will see what we’re doing and get in touch with us as they would be welcome to join us later in the year for our church service.”

Within the first few months of the First World War almost 600 city policemen had signed up for active service overseas with officers from Birkenhead, Southport and St Helens.

Throughout the war, 13,726 servicemen from Merseyside lost their lives.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “I am honoured to be able to support the events Merseyside Police are hosting throughout the year to mark the centenary of World War 1 and commemorate the 160 police officers who were among the 13,000 servicemen from Merseyside who were killed.

“It is an opportunity to pay my respects to those who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Officers and staff have been taking part in a video holding the plaques containing the names of the fallen officers, which we will be released in November.

A mosaic is also being put together made from poppies created by school children.