Names should be remembered

These names I painstakingly extracted from Kenneth Flower’s book of Warwickshire’s Roll of Honour which is to me the most authentic record (with few exceptions) that I have seen. I have addressed the body of the local councils over this period and the money was set aside for this to be done. Since then Mr King of the local Historic Society has opposed some of these names and only 11 names have been approved.

Since my original submission the war memorial has passed from the district council to the town council but I must remind both this precious memorial is the people’s with the council a body we trust through our taxes to care for it. The council I believe set the criteria, that being if the person had not lived in Leamington for more than five years they shouldn’t be on there.

We have to bear in mind that many of those killed were little more than teenagers or people in their early 20s, and many married local girls before enlisting for war. When we look at Afghanistan and Iraq we see our young brave lads sacrifice their lives for a better world for others. Let us please not forget the past service personnel who did the same.

My argument with the council is this - If a person was born in Leamington, worked in Leamington or married a Leamington girl and lived here with her they should be on our memorial. They gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives and the few pounds it takes to honour them is the only decent thing to do.

As I say the money was found over two years ago and it still isn’t done.

Can I please have comments from local people and I will be pleased to publish names, hopeful that relatives are still in the area, otherwise 50 names are not honoured on our memorial. - David Bradshaw, address supplied.