WITH less than a month to go before the unveiling of the Second World War plaques at Ipswich cenotaph the order of service has been decided.Based on the memorial's original unveiling in 1924, dedications will be read by local clergy and there will be a civic acceptance by the Mayor.

WITH less than a month to go before the unveiling of the Second World War plaques at Ipswich cenotaph the order of service has been decided.

Based on the memorial's original unveiling in 1924, dedications will be read by local clergy and there will be a civic acceptance by the Mayor.

The details of the service and the names of the 621 heroes who gave their lives in the Second World War have been inscribed in a booklet also based on the one presented at the First World War service.

Chairman of the Ipswich branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Peter Thompson has pioneered fundraising for the Christchurch Park tribute.

He has also paid the printing costs of the booklets from his own pocket.

He said: "I paid for them because I have received cheques from people giving £10 or £5 and they would want their money to go on the memorial not on the booklets."

Only a few copies of the original World War One booklets remain and they have become collector's items.

As only 1,000 of these programmes have been published, Mr Thompson believes these two will become collectable.

The 17-page book is priced at £2.50 and includes pictures and historical detail of the memorial.

It is available to relatives and friends of those who laid down their lives as well as the wider public.

Mr Thompson added: "I've sent one to Wales already to a woman whose husband was killed in an air raid.

"I spoke to a lady whose father was a prisoner in Japan and she never knew him. She is coming to the service and I don't know what her reaction will be."

The unveiling and dedication will take place in Christchurch Park on Sunday, May 16 and begin at 2.15pm with a parade.

This will be followed by a ceremony and dedication at 2.30pm with the plaques unveiled by Lord Tollemache, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.

Penny Breakwell, the town's mayor will then accept the memorial on behalf of the borough and wreaths will be laid by former service men, followed by the public.

Sarah Bloomfield, the 20-year-old woman who began the campaign to get the Second World War names onto the memorial when she wrote to the Evening Star as a girl, is also expected to read a poem.

Copies of the booklet detailing the service are available from Ipswich Tourist Information Centre; The Purple Shop, in Fonnereau Road; the Candy Shop in Queen Street and Chantry News in Hawthorn Drive.

They can also be ordered by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Peter Thompson at The Bungalow Thurleston Lane Ipswich IP1 6TH. Donations made payable to Ipswich World War Two Memorial Fund can be sent to the same address.