SOLDIERS from the 75 Engineer Regiment in Warrington joined staff, service users and governors from 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on Armistice Day, to pay their respects to those who lost their lives during World War One.
The soldiers were invited to Hollins Park Hospital at Winwick, Warrington, to lay a poppy wreath in memory of those who fought in the war, as well as those who have lost their lives fighting for their country in other conflicts.
The mental health hospital in Winwick became known as the Lord Derby War Hospital during the First World War, treating more than 56,000 injured and shell-shocked war casualties between 1915 and 1920.
At the special remembrance event on Wednesday 11 November, young service users from the Trust’s Fairhaven Unit in Warrington showcased a fantastic display of poetry and artwork, as part of a World War One creative project the young people had been working on.
Alan Taberner, Primary Care Mental Health Nurse and Nursing Officer for the British Medical Services, then took to the stage to paint a harrowing image of life on the front line for young soldiers during the war, sharing some World War One memorabilia and photographs with the audience.
Corporal Gorman from the 75 Engineer Regiment said: “We were honoured to attend the event on Armistice Day to lay the poppy wreath at the hospital’s memorial plaque, which is dedicated to the 16 hospital staff members who lost their lives during the First World War. It’s so important that we remember and pay our respects to those who gave their lives for our country, as well as those who worked tirelessly to save the lives of countless soldiers.”
Bernard Pilkington, Chairman of the Trust said: “We are extremely proud to commemorate 100 years since Hollins Park Hospital became a war hospital. Our facility at Winwick was one of the largest military hospitals in the UK at the time, providing vital care for British and Commonwealth soldiers.”
As the event drew to a close on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, staff, service users and guests paid their respects by observing the two-minute silence, to remember and honour everyone who has lost their lives fighting for their country.
Artwork and poppy wreath created by 5 Boroughs service users.
