‘Without him, we would’ve lost WW2’
SCULPTOR UNVEILS MONUMENT TO ANGLESEY-BORN WAR HERO
ASTATUE honouring an Angleseyborn war hero has been unveiled.
Admiral Sir Max Kennedy Horton DSO & Two Bars was a submariner during World War I and commander-in-chief of the Western Approaches in the latter half of the Second World War, responsible for British participation in the crucial Battle of the Atlantic.
He was born in November 1883 and lived at the old Maelog Lake hotel, now known as the Oyster Catcher, where his parents Esther and Robert were the proprietors.
He attended the Llanfaelog National School before joining the Royal Navy in 1898.
Six years ago a plaque was unveiled at Rhosneigr Library to commemorate Horton’s key role in the battle of the Atlantic.
Now the people of Rhosneigr have been given a towering sculpture of Max Horton by Liverpool-based Terry MacDonald. It was unveiled at a ceremony attended by civic dignitaries and military personnel.
Although retired, Mr MacDonald is keen for Admiral Horton’s memory to be kept alive.
Mr MacDonald who recalls as a child watching Liverpool burn in the May 1941 Blitz from his parents’ pub, the Coach and Horses, at Low Hill and Prescot Street corner, said: “Without Admiral Horton’s brilliance, we would have lost the war.
“Because of the German U-boat campaign, in 1942 Britain only had a few days of food left.
“Winston Churchill knew something had to be done and Horton was the man to do it.
“I remember seeing convoys waiting in the river to unload their cargoes of food, material and munitions to keep the country going. Horton’s strategy allowed these vital convoys to reach us.
“I believe that without Horton there would have been no Capt Johnnie Walker – the most successful anti-submarine commander during the battle.
“When I saw Tommy Murphy’s Pier Head statue of Walker, I thought when I retire I’ll do the same thing for Admiral Horton.”
Gwyneth Parry, chairman of Llanfaelog Community Council, said: “(Admiral Horton) was a true local hero, so it is important we make every effort to get the sculptor to Rhosneigr to preserve its historic value.
“I know we have many local heroes in Rhosneigr but we have not been donated a statue for anyone else and will give Rhosneigr a lovely part of history to cherish.”
The statue and garden are close to the Rhosneigr pumping station and is carefully sited so as to not spoil anyone’s view.