Viewed from some distance above, it's one of the remotest public notice boards in Formby, if not the most inaccessible.The question is, what's it for? Why is it here? And is this the right place for it?
The aerial image contains a major clue, to the right and above is the end of the North/South landing strip at RAF Woodvale. The closeness of the board's position to the end of the runway is significant.
The new Heritage board in the corner of the field is difficult to see until you approach within a few yards. Dwarfed by an 180-degree sky and planted in rugged heathland it appears to be insignificant. Behind in the distance, you can barely make out some of the buildings of RAF Woodvale.The board is positioned at a complicated junction of several weathered fences. Behind it an eye-catching white plastic fence marking the boundary of RAF Woodvale. The notice board matches the height of these. The new sturdy oakwood posts lend it an air of strength and durability.
A black and white image of a plane is the first to attract the eye. Around it, some small panels feature text and more images. The purple background provides contrast for the text but is out of place in this natural setting.
Up closer, a headline sentence informs the visitor that this is the largest single lowest heathland site on Merseyside. Below this and to the left the purpose of the notice becomes clearer. It's a memorial to the 26 pilots and aircrew who lost their lives in World War 2 operating out of the Woodvale base.It records that between 21st December 1941 and 4th May 1945, 20 RAF pilots, 8 of whom were Polish, 1 Canadian and a further 6 US Air Force aircrew lost their lives. 26 lives lost in the pursuit of war. This new sturdy addition to the landscape reminds us of the fragility of life in wartime.
The board explains its origins. It's installation made possible by a Combination of Formby Civic Society, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and the Sefton Mayoral Fund.
When it was officially unveiled, Fiona Whitfield of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said,
“We are pleased that we have been able to work with the Formby Civic Society to have produced what we think is a fitting and informative way to mark those who lost their lives at RAF Woodvale......
“....... We are now looking to get the board officially registered as a War Memorial.”
(Source: http://www.lancswt.org.uk/news/2016/12/15/nature-reserve-home-fitting-world-war-tribute - accessed January 09, 2017)
What is a war memorial?
According to the 'WarMemorialsOnline' website.
There is no legal definition of a war memorial and people interpret what a war memorial is in many different ways. A simple definition of what a war memorial means for this project is as follows:
Any physical object created, erected or installed to commemorate those involved in or affected by war or conflict. This includes memorials to civilians and animals.
Any object can be created or adapted to be a war memorial and examples include crosses, park benches and even lighthouses. Also, a memorial can be something more abstract such as a school prize.
( Source: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/about-us/what-is-a-war-memorial/ - accessed January 09, 2017)
There are other sources of information about War Memorials, their definition and recognition, but for the purposes of this article, the information above probably does justify why the board is where it is.
It is in an obscure place and not particularly accessible, but apart from the graves of the Polish Pilots in Our Lady of Compassion's Church graveyard, it is the only public memorial of these sad deaths in World War 2.