A WORLD War II memorial is in “urgent” need of replacement in Merseyside.

One of the newer post-WWII memorials based on the Pier Head, the Repatriation Memorial, needs replacing due to severe weathering over the 12 years since it was unveiled.

The Researching Far East Prisoner of War (FEPOW) History Group, (RFHG) established the memorial after a national fundraising campaign in 2010-11. They are now seeking £2,000 to complete the fundraising for a new memorial plaque.

The existing memorial is a granite plaque. A central dedication remembers the thousands of FEPOW and Civilian Internees who returned through the port during the autumn of 1945, flanked by two columns of repatriation ships that docked at the Princes Landing Stage between October 8 and the end of December.

A spokesperson for FEPOW said: “Regrettably, the type of granite recommended proved not to be resistant to rain and sea spray and was permanently affected by discolouration. In addition, over the years in such an exposed position the black lettering has degraded.

“The RFHG will replace the memorial with a bronze plaque bearing the same inscription and ships’ lists. The group is working in partnership with FEPOW groups in the UK representing the descendants of FEPOW and Internees held captive under the Japanese during WWII.”

The Liverpool Repatriation Memorial Appeal will be launched nationally on October 8 , 78 years to the day that the first ship back to Liverpool from the Far East, M.V. Monowai, docked at the Princes Landing Stage.

The RFHG and their partners have raised £4,500 and need to raise a further £2,000 to replace the plaque. For details about the appeal and how to make online donations visit here.