CENOTAPH MADE BY DISABLED MEN FOR THE SUN HALL

[Katie]

I came across a newspaper paper article published in the Evening Express 10th November1921
The caption underneath reads:-

The cenotaph made by the disabled ex-service men at the Government Instructional factory, Kirkdale, which is to be handed over to the British Legion for their meeting at Sun Hall, Liverpool, on Armistice Day. The cenotaph was designed by Mr. Harold Davies, junr. (son of Councillor Harold Davies), and the work was executed by plastering trainees who have been in the factory for three and a half months. The Sun Hall will be open from 4 p.m until 7 p.m on Armistice Day for the public to place wreaths round the cenotaph.


Any body know if the British Legion, Sun Hall, Kirkdale is still standing?

[42aitch]

There was a Sun Hall picture house on Stanley Road, which was probably Bootle rather than Kirkdale.

Eileen

[MaryA]

I don't remember it, would that have been Stanley Hospital direction or Bank Hall direction?

[Karen]

There was a Sun Hall in Kensington.

[dickiesam]

Contact for the RBL here to ask about Sun Hall....

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-u ... s/helpline

[Katie]

Email sent. I will keep you all updated. Even if it is now gone I have a record of it.

[daggers]

This site has a pic of Sun Hall in Kensington when it was screened by shops:
http://inacityliving.blogspot.co.uk/p/l6-l7.html

You have to select L6 & L7, then there is a lot of scrolling down until you reach a set of Kensington views.

There are lots of references to Sun Hall via Google, especially concerts, meetings etc around the WW1 period.

Perhaps Kelly's have entries for it. I'll look in the 1968 tomorrow. Too late now.
D

[42aitch]

The Bootle Sun Hall was between Merton Road and the Canal. That is before where the Strand is now, it was I think where the Bingo Hall is now.

Eileen

[MaryA]

Eileen's one would definitely be classed as Bootle, but then Katie's post said it was made in Kirkdale, not that Sun Hall was Kirkdale.

We look forward to hearing confirmation of which one it went to.

[daggers]

Sun Hall, Kensington: between Romer Road and Finlay Street, north side of Kensington (left side from city centre) near Sheil Road junction.

Nothing found in Kelly's 1968 directory.

The way I read Ktaie's cutting is that the Hall was used for a gathering of British Legion members as a focal point for Armistice Day remembrance. The city's Cenotaph at St George's Plateau did not exist then. I do not see it as British Legion premises.

D

[Tina]

Hi I've posted a topic with the Bootle Forum

[daggers]

A bit more use of Google revealed that the Sun Halls in Bootle and Kensington were linked, built by a solicitor and evangelist primarily for religious meetings. The Kensington Hall which could seat 5000 was later used as a branch of Woolworths, then Kwiksave, but I am 99% sure it has been demolished.
I stick to my view that the hall was never a BL branch.
D

[Katie]

Some records at the National Archives for the Factory in Kirkdale.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.u ... r/C7793555
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/writ ... e-kirkdale

TRAINING CENTRE, KIRKDALE.

HC Deb 03 August 1922 vol 157 c1718W 1718W
§Mr. PENNEFATHER asked the Minister of Labour if he is yet in a position to state the further period during which the Government training factory at Kirkdale will be kept open?
§Dr. MACNAMARA The numbers in this training centre have fallen so much that it will be impossible to keep it open unless more men are passed for training. Representations have been made to the trades in Liverpool and they have agreed to reconsider the training position. I hope they will find it possible to accept more men. Until their decision is known I cannot say definitely how long the Government instructional factory at Kirk-dale will be kept open. In any ease the lease expires in May, 1923, and it is doubtful if it can be extended.

[Katie]

A bit more use of Google revealed that the Sun Halls in Bootle and Kensington were linked, built by a solicitor and evangelist primarily for religious meetings. The Kensington Hall which could seat 5000 was later used as a branch of Woolworths, then Kwiksave, but I am 99% sure it has been demolished.
I stick to my view that the hall was never a BL branch.
D

I agree Daggers. Would you like a copy? I can hand it over on the 6th Sept 2014.

[daggers]

Ktie

Thanks for the offer but I shall not be able to attend on the 6th after all. 'Unforeseen circumstances' and all that...
I hope the day goes well.
D

[Katie]

I will be following up on the Cenotaph which was most probably the first one in Liverpool before St Georges to find out exactly were:-

1 The British Legion held their meetings.
2. I would love to know what happened to it.
3. It quite a impressive monument.

[Katie]

I can give a update on this topic. This Cenotaph was actually used as the Cenotaph on St. Georges Hall on Remembrance day in 1922. I have a picture when it was unveiled in 1921 and also a picture of it on the steps of St. Georges in 1922. I'll ask Mary to post the image.

[MaryA]

[Katie]

Cheers Mary.