THEY are the Ipswich war heroes who gave their lives for their country. After years of waiting, the loved ones of those killed in the Second World War are today preparing to finally see their relatives properly remembered when their names are added to a memorial plaque in town.
THEY are the Ipswich war heroes who gave their lives for their country.
After years of waiting, the loved ones of those killed in the Second World War are today preparing to finally see their relatives properly remembered when their names are added to a memorial plaque in town
Those who have perished in recent conflicts will also be honoured, including Private Aaron McClure who was just 19 when he was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
A dedication service is taking place tomorrow at the cenotaph in Christchurch Park where the families of the soldiers and members of the public will gather for the unveiling of the plaques in memory of the fallen soldiers.
The service is the culmination of a five-year campaign to honour those servicemen from the town who were killed after 1945 and the nine omitted from the Second World War plaque.
Taff Gillingham, the co-ordinator of the project, said: “We are hoping for a big turnout.
“I managed to contact most of the families so it will be nice to see as many of them there as possible and we are hoping lots of members of the public will be there, too.
“Ipswich is very proud of those who have died for their country and we are delighted these people can be honoured in this way.”
Raymond Martin, 80, who is originally from Ipswich but now lives in North Yorkshire, is the brother of James Martin, who was just 16 when he was killed in battle in Singapore.
Mr Martin said: “He was the youngest of 86,000 soldiers who were killed during the 90-day battle.
“It has taken years for us to get his name honoured.
“I am really pleased it is finally happening.”
The campaign was launched by Peter Thompson, the chairman of the Ipswich branch of the Royal British Legion after it emerged that some names had been omitted from the memorial for Second World War soldiers, unveiled in 2004.
Following his death in 2006, his friend Mr Gillingham took up the challenge which has involved gathering information on the soldiers, designing the plaques, getting planning permission, producing the artwork and raising the necessary funds.
Ipswich stonemason Paul Templeton, who made the Second World War panels, was commissioned to erect the plaques.
Are our servicemen suitably honoured? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
Additional Second World War Names:
Corporal Ernest Fountain, Suffolk Regiment. Germany, 1945
Driver Eric William Golding, Royal Army Service Corps. Rangoon, 1945
Driver Ernest William Good, Royal Army Service Corps. Tobruk, 1942
Corporal Douglas Benjamin Holland, Royal Engineers. Holland, 1945
CSM George William Lankester. Suffolk Regiment. Normandy, 1944
Boy James Walter Martin, Manchester Regiment. Singapore,1942
Able Seaman Donald Frederick Murray. HMS Sphinx, 1940
CSM Francis Lionel Overman, Suffolk Regiment. Normandy, 1944
Sergeant Pilot Fred Tomkins, 7 Squadron RAFVR. Germany, 1942
Conflicts Post-1945:
Lieutenant B. Swinbanks, Royal Engineers. Korea, 1951
Private Roy McDonald, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Korea, 1952
L/Bombardier Maurice A. Bretell, Royal Artillery. Korea, 1952
F/Officer Kenneth W. Banyard, Royal Air Force. Cyprus, 1956
Private Gary I. Barnes, Parachute Regiment. Northern Ireland, 1979
Private Aaron J. McClure, Royal Anglian Regiment. Afghanistan, 2007
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