A SIX year battle for recognition of those who died in The Blitz in Wirral will end in victory on Saturday with the dedication of a memorial stone in Birkenhead.

The Globe last month called for a memorial to those civilians who died in the WWII bombing and a group of campaigners successfully petitioned Wirral Council to erect a memorial.

Tom Birkett, from Birkenhead, was in the King's Own Infantry from 1939-46 and was among many who lost family members in the Blitz.

Said Tom: "I started asking about a memorial six years ago. I thought I had no hope until the Globe ran an article and now we have got it.

"I am really pleased as three of my family were killed in the bombing and over 900 people were killed in Birkenhead alone. There are awful stories like a whole family of nine in Rock Ferry that died."

Mr Birkett was one of the fund-raisers for the Globe's campaign to erect plaques to those killed in action. He has now been instrumental in the campaign for those who died at home, including Civil Defence, police, fire, ambulance and voluntary services.

All three parties on Wirral Council supported Mr Birkett's campaign and now a memorial will be unveiled at Birkenhead Cenotaph. The dedication ceremony will take place this Saturday (October 16) at 11am.

The inscription reads: "In everlasting memory of the men, women and children who were killed in the Blitz (1939-45). May they all Rest In Peace."

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