Lancashire Evening Post, Friday 27 February 1920

TRAINING SOLDIERS.

Squire's Gate Centre Opened.

The King's Lancashire Convalescent Centre, at Squire's Gate, for the treatment and training of disabled soldiers was formally opened on Friday, by the Minister of Pensions, Sir Laming Worthington-Evans, Bart., in the presence of a large and representative gathering of ladies and gentlemen, who assembled in the Gymnasium.

Prior to the opening ceremony the Minister of Pensions, accompanied by Mr. Geo. Crystal, C.B., permanent secretary to the Ministry of Pensions; Mr. Fred Wilkinson, Director of Education, Bolton, and chief technical adviser to the Ministry of Pensions; Dr. Wilson, technical adviser to the Ministry of Pensions; Major Stoddart Walker, of the Ministry of Pensions; Colonel Rostock; Mr. Mellor, of St. Annes, Chairman of the Central Fund; and a number of other gentlemen, made a tour of inspection of the various departments, Colonel Shea, the Medical Superintendent of the Centre, and Mr. Frank Thornley, B.A., the Chief Training Officer, escorting the company and explaining the respective trades in which the men were seen at work.

Colonel F. H. Shea presided over the meeting in the Gymnasium, and there was a strong platform of representative gentlemen connected with the Ministry of Pensions, Council of the Central Fund, as well as Mr. A. L. Parkinson, M.P., the Mayor of Blackpool (Coun. E. H. Howe), the Town Clerk (Mr. D. L. Harbottle), etc.