HRH The Princess Royal Presented with Wren Sculpture Destined for World’s Largest Battle of the Atlantic Memorial
The first of 100 wrens by Birkenhead-born artist Emma Rogers was presented to Her Royal Highness at HMS Eaglet, marking a milestone for the new memorial being built around U-534
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was presented with a specially commissioned sculpture of a wren during a visit to HMS Eaglet in Liverpool on Wednesday 22 July, marking a significant milestone in the development of the new Battle of the Atlantic Memorial being built in Birkenhead.
The Princess Royal’s visit to HMS Eaglet formed part of the WRNS Annual Presentation, reflecting her long-standing association with the Women’s Royal Naval Service community. It was in this capacity, surrounded by serving and former members of the WRNS family, that she was presented with the sculpture.
A Symbol of the Women Who Won the Atlantic
The gift was presented by Dean Paton, Director of Western Approaches Museum and CEO of Big Heritage. The wren was chosen for its powerful symbolism, representing the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS), whose members played one of the most decisive roles in the Allied victory over the U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic.
The sculpture is a preview of a much larger artwork to come. A hundred wrens, each crafted by celebrated Birkenhead-born artist Emma Rogers, will eventually be placed in a garden installation surrounding U-534, forming part of the new memorial. Together they will tell a story of cooperation and intelligence triumphing over might and strength, the small birds standing in for the wrens who, quite literally, helped defeat the U-Boat wolf-packs at sea.
The Largest Memorial of Its Kind in the World
Once complete, the Battle of the Atlantic Memorial in Birkenhead will be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world and has garnered support from the Royal Navy, and both the US Navy Museum and the Canadian Navy Memorial Trust, who will also receive wren sculptures to display on the other side of the Atlantic.
The Princess Royal’s visit also gave her the opportunity to receive a first-hand update on the progress of the memorial’s construction, a project she first learned about during an earlier visit to Western Approaches in 2023.
The occasion was made more special by the presence of many former Wrens, including 103-year-old Wren Janet, who served her country at Western Approaches during the Second World War.
‘No Better Gathering’
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. We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming her back, along with her family, once the memorial is complete.”
Artist Emma Rogers, who is creating the wren sculptures for the memorial garden, 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 Memorial
The new Battle of the Atlantic museum and memorial is currently under construction in Woodside, Birkenhead, and will be the only museum in the world dedicated to the Atlantic Campaign. Once complete, the memorial will feature a garden installation of 100 wren sculptures by artist Emma Rogers, positioned around U-534.