St Luke’s Memorial Hall, Wallasey

St Luke’s Memorial Hall in Wallasey, Merseyside, was constructed in 1926 to commemorate the 250 soldiers from the Poulton area who lost their lives during the First World War. The foundation stone was laid by Mary Bennett, a local widow who tragically lost three of her four sons in the conflict. Her sons William and John were killed in action in 1918, while her youngest son, Edward, was reported missing for a year before being confirmed dead.

The hall was officially opened on November 13, 1926, the day before Remembrance Sunday. Major General Basil Burnett-Hitchcock, KCB DSO, General Officer Commanding 55th Division, performed the opening ceremony. Due to the Bishop of Chester's absence, Archdeacon Paige-Cox conducted the dedication .

For much of the 20th century, the hall served as a community centre. However, by the early 21st century, it had fallen into disrepair and was left unused. In 2022, notices within the building suggest that it was still in use as recently as 2003. A proposal was submitted to Wirral Council to demolish the hall and replace it with 33 new flats designated for social housing, the demolition plan has faced significant opposition from local residents, many of whom are concerned about the loss of this historical landmark.

In response to the controversy, some of the memorial plaques that once adorned the hall have been relocated to the grounds of St Luke’s Church, ensuring that the names of the fallen soldiers are preserved. The fate of St Luke’s Memorial Hall remains a poignant reminder of the community's efforts to honour its war dead and the ongoing debate between preserving historical sites and accommodating modern development needs.