Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Birkett Scheme.

In 1917 the government had plans to lay down another 3 million acres to corn. The Wirral Wartime Agricultural sub committee realised 2,000 acres had diminished productivity along the course of the River Birkett due to weeds, rush grass and silt. It fell in to this state because private landowners had never done anything about it. The committee applied to the government for German prisoners of war to do the clearing of the Birkett. The government obliged and about 140 prisoners were sent, the majority had been captured at Vimy Ridge. Initially they were going to be kept in huts at Moreton, the Army having looked around decided to billet them at Leasowe Castle.

Work started near to Bidston Station and the prisoners wore their own uniforms, on the front left trouser leg and the back right trouser leg red patches were sewn, overcoats were provided by the government and had a blue patch sewn on the back. They were guarded by 8 armed British soldiers. They were kept in order by their own NCO's. No trouble was reported and they cleared about 150 yards a day.