The History of Wallasey - A Small Suburb With A Large History: The Wirral Peninsula

by Tony Franks-Buckley

At over 190 pages of information and pictures, this book captures just how important a place Wallasey has been throughout the last 200 years and how there was and still is Tudor, Victorian and Georgian structures and buildings part of Wallasey in todays era. also includesNew Brighton which was a haven for the working class during the 19th & 20th Century and once housed the largest tower in Britain. Wallasey is a Suburb of Wirral opposite Liverpool across the River Mersey. The River Mersey has a rich history and Linkage to Sea Fairing pursuits and Wallasey was seen as the defender and guide into the Liverpool Bay. From as early as the 16th century Wallasey was linked to pirates, smugglers and wreckers who used the beaches of Wallasey to gain wealth through these pursuits. Following the boom of the industrial revolution, Wallasey became home to many merchants and upper class citizens that built and lived in luxurious mansions and created the town of Wallasey as we know it today. The Town is also linked to Sea Disasters Such as The Titanic and Lusitania, with Rememberance memorials situated in Rake Lane Cemetery. Wallasey is the other side of the famous "Ferry Across the Mersey" from Liverpool and was known as the protector with the likes of the Fort Perch Rock installed to Keep guard over Liverpool Bay and the many ships that passed through the waters on a daily basis. Some of the Books Contents: About the Author – A brief biography about me and my historical interests. Introduction to Wallasey – A general introduction to Wallasey that gives an overview of the area. The Red & Yellow Noses – Geographical rocks that have been a long standing feature of Wallasey. The New Brighton Tower & Fairground – A chapter dedicated to the once highest tower in Britain and the fairground that was a main feature of New Brighton from the Victorian era through to the fire in 1969. New Brighton Promenade – A brief overview of the longest promenade in Britain. New Brighton Fort Perch Rock – An overview of the fort that was built as a defence to Liverpool. New Brighton Lighthouse – A brief overview of the light of the River Mersey that guided ships into the bay and help avoid the rocks on the beaches. The Liscard Battery of New Brighton – A brief overview of a munitions factory and storage moved from Liverpool to a more suitable area in New Brighton. Liscard Castle – A brief overview of what was actually not a castle but was one of Wallasey’s Mansions suitably named Liscard Castle due to its features. New Brighton Pier – A brief overview of the New Brighton ferry terminal that also offered entertainment to the public, from 1867 until its destruction in the late 1970s. New Brighton Floral Pavilion – A brief overview of the main theatre on the New Brighton front that is still present today. The Tivoli Theatre – A brief overview of one of the theatre’s situated on the New Brighton front in its heyday. New Brighton Palace – A Brief overview of an iconic building of the New Brighton waterfront that has been a centre point of New Brighton and still is in this present day. Nelsons Gutter – A brief overview of an area that is often forgotten due to its destruction during the Second World War. Old Wallasey Mill – A brief overview of an industrial part of Wallasey’s history. The Wallasey Mill is one of the forgotten places that was a main feature in Wallasey. Wallasey Old Dwellings – A brief overview of old housing in Wallasey which were some of the earliest homes to be built. The Seven Schools of Wallasey – A brief overview of the iconic places of education in Wallasey, one of the places who embraced education at an early age, compared to other areas. The Breck – A brief overview of the old quarry of Wallasey whose stone can be found in many buildings connected to Sir John Tobin. Wallasey Village Brow – A brief overview of one of the highest points in Wallasey, that offers a view of the Welsh mountains on a clear day.

196 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2012

About the author

Wallasey Historian and Author that completed BA Honours Degree in Modern History at Liverpool John Moores University under the guidance of fellow author Prof Frank McDonough, Dr Mike Benbough-Jackson and a host of others.

My main interests in history are from the Industrial Revolution era in Britain, which was the beginning of the modern day Britain as we know it today. I also hold a keen interest in World War II due to my uncle, who served in the Royal Navy and was involved in the D-Day landings. Stories that were told to me by him when I was a child have stuck with me to this day.
As well as graduating from university, I have also attended Wirral Met College in Birkenhead where I gained A Level results through an Access to Higher Education Diploma in English Literature, History and Environmental Studies which allowed me to enter University.

In year one my modules included, Presenting the past, Historical Themes, Nineteenth Century America, Historians in action, Revolutions in the modern world and Reconstructing the past. In year two my modules were, British Economy and Society 1800-1990, British Political History 1832-1990, The Rise & Fall of the British Empire 1750 to the Present day, Key Skills in Historical Research and Career Planning. I read works during my university time by John Belchem, Phylis Deane, Eric Hobsbawm, and Peter Mathias who all write about Social Economy and the Industrial Revolution.

In year three my modules were, Decolonisation in Southeast Asia post 1945, Life on the British Home front during the Second World War, Popular Culture in the nineteenth century, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich as well as my Independent study on Liverpool during the Industrial Revolution 1700-1850.

I am now embarking on my next part in life of historical research. I have previously written two books called, The History of Wallasey - A Small Surburb with a Large History and The History of Birkenhead & Bidston. I am also writing my first Historical-Fiction Novel on Mother Redcaps that was on the New Brighton shoreline. New Brighton has a vast amount of history and the Pirates and Smugglers that came to the shores of Wallasey from the 16th Century onwards will be the future focus of my work in both Historical Fiction and Non Fiction form.

Hector Hornsmith will be bringing plenty of old Pirates back into the public eye with his Diary Entries that he collaborated whilst at sea. I am the creator of Hector Hornsmith and his Memoirs which can also be found on my History blog site http://tonyfranksbuckley.blogspot.co.uk/ Hector speaks of his adventures with his good friend Captain Gray who is married to Mother Redcap the owner of Mother Redcaps Inn.

Beneath Mother Redcaps and Wallasey is a network of tunnels that are used by Captain Gray and his crew to stash their loot when returning from sea, as well as their living quarters, where they hide in comfort away from the eyes of the forever pursuing Captain Vernon and his Royal Naval crew of the Barfleur. The tunnels and caves stretch underneath the whole of Wallasey in several directions.