At the start of the war, Burnell's Ironworks and the Merseyside Ironworks (formerly The Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron and Steel Works), were situated either side of the railway to the east of Ellesmere Port Station. In 1914, both were going through a torrid time as orders had dropped off due to the pre-war unrest and both workforces were laid off. According to the concerns of the local council 'three thousand men were walking the streets looking for work'. When war was declared, many of these men quickly signed on and left for the training camps. They also made up the majority of the local casualties.

Those who lost their lives in World War One who worked for the Mersey Iron Works are commemorated on a bronze plaque set in a monument, initially unveiled at the main entrance to the iron works on Cromwell Road in 1926, before being transferring to the rose garden at the ironwork's sports ground. A number of men are also recorded on the main town memorial near the Civic Hall (and the original War Memorial outside Christchurch. When the iron works was sold to the gas company, the works memorial was moved from the rose garden and to prevent the plaque from being destroyed, the Royal British Legion took it away, stored it and when they bought their premises on Stanney Lane it was erected in their garden. Once that premises closed the plaque was removed into 'safe keeping', but locals became increasingly concerned as to its welfare and condition, and voices began to be raised. This website author recorded concerns with several agencies, including War Memorials Online, the War Memorial's Trust website in 2013.

The plaque was then taken into secure storage by RBL North West Property in Manchester, and thanks to a grant from War Memorials Trust it was repaired by a metal conservation specialist before being returned to its rightful home. It is now back on display as the centrepiece of a new memorial garden on the corner of Whitby Road and Cromwell Road, very near to the site of the former iron works.

Previous location in the British Legion garden	In storage undergoing restoration (photo Jochem Hollestelle April 2017)	The restored memorial (photo Mike McQuaid April 2018)	The new location in the Memorial Garden (photo Mike McQuaid April 2018)