Battle of the Atlantic Memorial (BOAM) campaign aims to create a monument to the estimated 100,000 people who lost their lives during the World War Two battle. Tony McDonough reports
A campaign group looking to raise £2.5m to create a monument at Liverpool’s Pier Head dedicated to the Battle of the Atlantic have secured the backing of Princess Anne.
HRH The Princess Royal has agreed to become the patron of the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial (BOAM) campaign for the monument dedicated to the estimated 100,000 people who lost their lives during the World War Two battle, as well as those who served and survived.
In a letter to the campaign, the Princess said: “The Battle of the Atlantic, a six-year long campaign, was enormous in its scale, both geographically and logistically. In total more than 100,000 people lost their lives in this epic struggle between the convoys and the U Boat packs.
“It required the combined efforts of huge numbers of men and women of many nationalities across their navies, air forces and merchant navies. The city of Liverpool, the command headquarters of the battle, became a target for some of the heaviest bombing of the Second World War due to its vital role as a port of entry to the UK.
“The city’s seafarers, dockworkers, shipbuilders and inhabitants were crucial in winning the battle together with port communities around the country.
“However, The Battle of The Atlantic, whilst being a story of sorrow, is also a story of success. Through the alliance of many countries, and along with technical innovation, intelligence, dedication and bravery, the onslaught at sea was weathered, Britain was kept supplied and the tide of the war was turned.
“It is important to remember that the fuel for the planes in The Battle for Britain came across the Atlantic, so did the US and Canadian soldiers who fought with us on D-Day to liberate Europe, as did so much else and so many others to keep the war effort going.
“The establishment of a permanent commemoration of the international achievement in Liverpool is one I fully support, and I look forward to the legacy and engagement it will create to inspire future generations.”
The Princess Royal is the Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy. She has a long connection with the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS); she is Patron of the WRNS Benevolent Trust, the Association of Wrens and was Patron of the WRNS100 Project. The Princess Royal is also Commodore in Chief (Portsmouth).
The Battle of the Atlantic Memorial (BOAM) chairman Gary Doyle, said: “It has been very clear that The Princess Royal has a deep respect for the Battle of the Atlantic and a real interest in our campaign.
“For Her Royal Highness to express her support for the memorial by becoming our Royal Patron is a tremendous honour, and a testament to how much The Princess genuinely cares about seafarers and the immense contribution of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy to World War II without whom the country would not have been able to arm or feed itself.”
Mr Doyle said the campaign will be kickstarting a memorial design competition shortly, to find suitable monument, with a proposed position on Liverpool’s iconic Pier Head waterfront, near the statue of Johnnie Walker, the famous U-Boat hunter. He said the campaign is aiming to unveil the monument in 2023, the 80th Anniversary of the BOA official commemoration date.
For more information on the campaign, sponsorship packages and to make donations visit: www.battleoftheatlantic.org email:info@battleofatlanticmemorial.org call: 0151 334 8393 Twitter: @BattleAtlantic Note: overseas donations must be made by cheque.