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The Wilfred Owen Story and Gallery



The iconic World War I poet, Wilfred Owen, is known for his shocking and realistic war poetry on the horrors of the trenches and gas warfare, some of his best known works include 'Dulce et Decorum Est', 'Anthem for Doomed Youth', 'Insensibility', 'Strange Meeting' and Futility.

Owen was killed on the World War I battlefields in France on November 4th, 1918, one week before the armistice.

In 1985, he became one of the 16 Great War poets commemorated on a slate stone unveiled in Westminster Abbey's Poet's Corner.

Wilfred OwenWilfred Owen spent his early, formative years on the Wirral, having moved there with his family when he was just four years old and left the area when he was fourteen. He attended the the now demolished Birkenhead Institute School from the age of seven.

The information centre and art gallery is located at 34 Argyle Street in Birkenhead. The centre opened on 18th March 2011 (the poet's Birthday), is the first designated cultural memorial to the poet anywhere in the North West.

Visitors can see the Owen family tree, read a little on his time in the town, read some of his major poems, look at and listen to artwork inspired by Owen, examine newspaper cuttings, and even view a photocopy of Owen's original Anthem For Doomed Youth draft, complete with crossings-out. The exhibition was masterminded by Dean Johnson who hopes it will consolidate the link between Owen and Birkenhead. The Wilfred Owen story also hosts exhibitions of local artist's work.

Entry is free.



Visitor Attractions