Table of Contents
The Princess Royal has been updated on the progress of Birkenhead's Battle of the Atlantic Memorial during a visit to HMS Eaglet in Liverpool on July 22.
As reported by Birkenhead News, Her Royal Highness was presented with a specially commissioned wren sculpture – a preview of the 100 wrens that will eventually form a garden installation surrounding U-534 at the new memorial site in Woodside.
The sculpture was presented by Dean Paton, Director of Western Approaches Museum and CEO of Big Heritage. The wren was chosen for its symbolism, representing the Women's Royal Naval Service whose members played a decisive role in the Allied victory over U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Each of the 100 sculptures is being crafted by celebrated Birkenhead-born artist Emma Rogers. Together they will tell a story of cooperation and intelligence triumphing over might and strength, with the small birds representing the Wrens who helped defeat the U-boats at sea.
Once completed, the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial in Birkenhead will be the largest in the world. Navies across the globe, from the Royal Navy to the US Navy, have supported the project, and they will also receive their own wren sculptures to display.
The Princess Royal's visit went far beyond the wren gift. She visited as part of the WRNS Annual Presentation. She was told of the memorial project back in 2023.
103-year-old Janet Gardner was a Wren who served at Western Approaches during World War Two.
Dean Paton said: "It was an honour yet again to meet Her Royal Highness, who has been kept informed on the progress of the Battle of the Atlantic Museum. There was no better gathering to update her than in front of so many formidable former Wrens, including 103-year-old Wren Janet Gardner, who served at Western Approaches during the war, and had the most incredible stories to tell of her service."
Ms. Rogers said: "This commission is not only one of the largest I have ever undertaken, but also the most poignant and of international significance. To create a piece that honours the wrens who helped change the course of the war, and to have it presented to Her Royal Highness is a huge honour."
The new Battle of the Atlantic Museum and memorial is currently under construction at Woodside Ferry in Birkenhead and will be the only museum in the world dedicated to the Atlantic Campaign. It is close to Cammell Laird. However, no opening date has been set yet.
