An event that was a regular in the Liverpool Business District calendar is returning this year, the International Cotton Association (ICA) in partnership with Liverpool BID will hold their annual remembrance service on Liverpool’s historic Exchange Flags on Thursday 11 November at 10:40 am.
The service will be attended by Stephen Burrows, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside who will lay a wreath on behalf of her Majesty the Queen. A wreath will also be laid by ICA Managing Director Bill Kingdon on behalf of the association and its members, as well as; Paul Cherpeau on behalf of Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce, Thom Westhead on behalf of MoD Business Services and Julie Johnson on behalf of Liverpool
BID Company.
The ‘Last Post’ bugle call will be played at the service which will be conducted by the Reverend Bill Addy, Assistant Priest at Liverpool Parish Church. Commissioned in 1922 by the ICA, known then as the Liverpool Cotton Association, the statue of the Memorial Soldier was unveiled by Field Marshal Earl Haig of Bemersyde. The accompanying bronze plaque is dedicated to the 423 men from the Association who lost their lives during both World Wars.
“As we do each year, we remember all those who have fought and died in conflict, not least those from Liverpool and Merseyside, and from the Cotton trade”.
Says Bill Kingdon, ICA Managing Director.
“1951 featured some of the most significant events of the Korean War, during which 1,100 British soldiers were killed. 70 years on many veterans feel that this conflict is the ‘forgotten war’, overshadowed by events before and since. This year is also the 100th Anniversary of the Poppy Appeal, carried out every year by the Royal British Legion on behalf of veterans of all conflict, from every walk of life. Many from the North West of England, from Liverpool and the Cotton Trade volunteered during major international conflicts and continue to
do so. We pay tribute to their service.”
The remembrance service is open to all those who wish to pay their respects to those who gave their lives in defence of liberty, and to acknowledge those serving officers active today in pursuit of the same.
The ICA works closely with local organisations to make sure our service is a fitting tribute to all those that have bravely fought and continue to fight for their country. They include The Lieutenancy of Merseyside, Liverpool BID, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Flags, the Kings Regiment and the Liverpool Pals Memorial Fund.