I've always been puzzled by the meanings of the letters carved into the sandstone at either end of the Magazines by Vale Park.

"To HWM" might seem obvious, but it is a lot higher than the high water mark. We have WD (War Department) with its 'Crows Foot' mark, twice, and a number.

The wall is at the bottom of Magazine Lane, near the prom. The small stone in the pavement is at the southern end of the Magazines, in Magazine Brow.

Can anyone explain the markings for me, please?

The "To" mark is normally used to shorten Thomas I think!

Norton, last time it cropped up.


https://www.wikiwirral.co.uk/forums...5/magazine_brow_wallasey.html#Post319315

Thanks for that, Bert. There's still things on this site that I havn't seen yet.

I accept that the arrow with bar above is a benchmark, and they can usually be matched up with the OS map.
I wonder if the numbers may refer to the equivalent of an inspectors stamp, as they appear in the same place as the finished marks?

The one thing that is still unanswered is the 'To HWM' carving as it does not fit with the finish mark or benchmark at other locations.

You have to think before the prom was built. Why wouldn't it be the high water mark if there was just a beach in front of it? They stored the gun powder from ships visiting Liverpool so had to row it there. Seems practical to me?

I think it means that the land/beach from
the mark down to the High Water Mark is owned
or controlled by the War Dept.

Anyone seen the carving in the sandstone wall on the beach itself? It says "Legio Patria Nostra" and it's the motto of the French Foreign Legion. Who carved that I wonder? And why?
Now there's ANOTHER mystery!

Just thought I'd add a couple of photo's of the carving for those who haven't seen it before...

It's not as clear up close as it is from the shore, because as you can see, it's overgrown with seaweed and moss.

For those of you who would like to look for themselves, be very, VERY careful if you're going to walk on the ledge, it's treacherously slippy!