A FORMER war hospital paid its respects to fallen soldiers on Armistice Day.

Soldiers from the 75 Engineer Regiment laid a wreath at Hollins Park Hospital in Winwick, which treated more than 56,000 injured and shell shocked casualties of the First World War.

The remembrance event on Wednesday November 11 showcased war poetry and artwork by young users of 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust users.

Corporal Gorman from the 75 Engineer Regiment said: “We were honoured to attend the event on Armistice Day to lay the poppy wreath at the hospital’s memorial plaque – which is dedicated to the 16 hospital staff members who lost their lives during the First World War.

“It’s so important that we remember and pay our respects to those who gave their lives for our country as well as those who worked tirelessly to save the lives of countless soldiers.”

The mental health hospital, then known as the Lord Derby War Hospital, acted as one of the largest military medical facilities in the UK during the First World War.

Bernard Pilkington, chairman of 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are extremely proud to commemorate 100 years since Hollins Park Hospital became a war hospital – our facility at Winwick was one of the largest military hospitals in the UK at the time, providing vital care for British and Commonwealth soldiers.”