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.