Wirral Life August 2017 | Page 10

IN BRIEF FIRST WORLD WAR HERO’S MEDALS COME TO LIVERPOOL BEATTIE’S EX-EMPLOYEES TO REUNITE FOR CHARITY Chavsse © IWM Calling all ex-employees of Beatties Department store in Birkenhead - did you work at Beatties any time in the last 40 years? The medals of Captain Noel Chavasse, the only serviceman to be awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) twice during the First World War, go on display at the Museum of Liverpool until 5 January 2018. Timed to coincide with the centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele (31 July 1917), it is the first time this important medal group, on loan from Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, has gone on public display in Liverpool, the family’s home from 1900. The medals will also be on display for the centenary of Chavasse’s death (4 August 1917). Janet Dugdale, Director of the Museum of Liverpool, said: “The name ‘Chavasse’ is forever associated with heroism and courage thanks to the actions of Noel, and other members of the family, during the First World War. In unimaginably appalling conditions, Captain Chavasse saved the lives of many of his men, losing his own as a consequence in 1917. This group of medals tells a powerful story of the extremes of human sacrifice. We’re extremely proud to be bringing them to Liverpool on the centenary of his death.” Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, who owns the largest collection of VCs in the world, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the medal group of Captain Noel Chavasse VC & Bar, MC is going to be on display at the Museum of Liverpool, in the city where both he and his family had such significant links. It is entirely appropriate that the centenary of Captain Chavasse’s death should be marked in this way.” “I feel privileged and humbled to be the custodian of this courageous man’s gallantry and service medals. Captain Chavasse deserves his unique position in history as the only ‘double VC’ of the Great War and his military career has come to epitomise self-sacrifice. As Captain Chavasse himself put is so succinctly as he lay dying: ‘Duty called, and called me to obey’.” For more information, visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/Chavasse 10 wirrallife.com If so you are invited to a very special reunion evening which is being held on Saturday 4th November at Heswall British Legion. This event is the brainchild of former employees Sue Mosedale, Shirley Unsworth, Julie Lewis, Anne Kelly and Jan Dolman who were involved in the hugely successful fundraising campaign which was held 20 years ago when for a whole year all employees took part in a wide variety of events from treasure hunts to race nights. This culminated in a final gala evening when a cheque for a magnificent £11,000 was presented to The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation - the charity chosen by the staff. Beatties was a prominent store in the town for over 30 years and the charity year was supported by both local businesses and their many loyal customers. So this anniversary year is to be celebrated by reuniting old friends, gathering together as many former Beatties employees as possible, and raising some money for the Roy Castle charity again. All ex- employees and their partners are invited to this event, so if you worked at Beatties and would like to catch up with old friends and colleagues get in touch via email on [email protected] Tickets are £10 (to include buffet, disco and raffle) and will be available to purchase online or from Roy Castle shops in Heswall (Castle Buildings), Moreton and Liscard and also from Whitmore & White, Pensby Road, Heswall. WIRRAL AUTHOR EXPLORES THE BREXIT PHENOMENON IN POIGNANT NEW FICTION: CATCH 52 After three decades of serving as a police officer in the inner-city areas of Liverpool, P.G. Ronane retired and decided to go back to school, run for office and travel the European continent. Now 61, he is an education manager living in Wirral with his family. This is his first book.  Catch 52: An Everyman’s Tale of Surviving in a post-Brexit World by PG Ronane (published by Clink Street Publishing in paperback and ebook) will be available to purchase from online retailers including Amazon and to order from all good bookstores.