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Birkenhead Bantams honoured by Wirral Council memorial | Birkenhead Bantams honoured by Wirral Council memorial |
(35 minutes later) | |
A memorial honouring the undersized World War One soldiers from Wirral known as the Birkenhead Bantams has been unveiled. | |
The unit's centenary was marked at Birkenhead Town Hall at 11:00 GMT. | |
The Birkenhead Bantams formed in November 1914 when the town's MP Alfred Bigland petitioned for smaller men to be enlisted. | The Birkenhead Bantams formed in November 1914 when the town's MP Alfred Bigland petitioned for smaller men to be enlisted. |
Mr Bigland was incensed at the rejection of healthy men who wanted to serve their country. | Mr Bigland was incensed at the rejection of healthy men who wanted to serve their country. |
Thousands of men previously barred from fighting because they were not tall enough were accepted for service in two Bantam battalions. | Thousands of men previously barred from fighting because they were not tall enough were accepted for service in two Bantam battalions. |
Other regiments were set up around the country. | Other regiments were set up around the country. |
As a result of the MP's initiative the minimum height for soldiers was lowered from 5ft 3in (1.6m) to 5ft (1.52m). | As a result of the MP's initiative the minimum height for soldiers was lowered from 5ft 3in (1.6m) to 5ft (1.52m). |
Soon renamed the 15th and 16th Battalions, Cheshire Regiment, the Bantams served in some of the most hard-fought battles of the war including The Somme and Ypres. | Soon renamed the 15th and 16th Battalions, Cheshire Regiment, the Bantams served in some of the most hard-fought battles of the war including The Somme and Ypres. |
The Mayor of Wirral, Steve Foulkes, said: "The story of those brave Birkenhead Bantams and their part in the history of the Great War is awe-inspiring, and we owe them a debt we can never repay. | The Mayor of Wirral, Steve Foulkes, said: "The story of those brave Birkenhead Bantams and their part in the history of the Great War is awe-inspiring, and we owe them a debt we can never repay. |
"We can, however, remember them, and make sure that their bravery and sacrifice is never forgotten - which is why this memorial and events such as this are so important." | "We can, however, remember them, and make sure that their bravery and sacrifice is never forgotten - which is why this memorial and events such as this are so important." |
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