The streets of Bootle are set to be filled with sailors this Sunday who will pay a poignant tribute to a local hero.
The crew of HMS Mersey, will march past the former home of naval hero Captain Frederick John Walker, as part of celebrations to mark the ship being bestowed the Freedom of the Borough. The ship’s command were awarded the historic freedom at a ceremony held at Bootle Town Hall last night.
According to a Sefton Council spokesperson the special ceremony involved “reaffirming Sefton’s historic links with the Royal Navy and HMS Mersey.”
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As part of a celebration of the event, naval officers will be parading with “drums beating and bayonets fixed” through the streets of Bootle on Sunday morning. Officers from the naval patrol vessel, which is currently moored in Liverpool will take part in a 100-strong parade through the town starting from Bootle Town Hall at 10.30am.
The parade will pass the house of Captain Walker, who led an escort of ships from Gladstone Dock during the battle of the Atlantic. Also playing a huge role in the 1944 D-Day Landings, he helped stop German U-Boats from attacking allied vessels through setting up an “impenetrable wall”.
Thursday’s Freedom of the Borough ceremony was attended by HMS Mersey’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander James Mitchell with the town hall benches filled with crew from the ship and Royal Navy representatives and civic leaders to commemorate naval links going back over 80 years.
Sefton’s Mayor Clare Carragher said it will be “poignant” to see officers pass Captain Walker’s house during the day, adding: "I encourage as many people as possible to line the streets of Bootle to pay tribute to HMS Mersey, the Royal Navy and Captain Walker’s memory.
“I am humbled by the sacrifice of those who have gone before us and those who serve in our armed forces today. To be the Mayor who bestows the Freedom of the Borough upon HMS Mersey is an honour.”
HMS Mersey’s Lt Cmdr Mitchell said he was delighted the ship was “returning to spend time ‘at home’.
He said: “On Sunday 16th April, we’ll be parading through Bootle and from all of the Ship’s company of HMS Mersey, we look forward to seeing everyone.”
The parade will leave Bootle Town Hall at the Trinity Road entrance at 10.30am on Sunday, marching via Stanley Road, Merton Road and Oriel Road before returning to Bootle Town Hall.
An open day will also be held on board HMS Mersey at the Pier Head on Saturday April, 15 where members of the public will be able to tour the ship.
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