Search starts for new names for memorials
News Article
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THE heroism of Fylde’s war dead will be commemorated for ever in a new campaign to update the borough’s war memorials.
Fylde Borough Council has promised that the names of Corporal Marlton-Thomas and Sergeant Michael Chadwick will be carved in granite on Lytham’s war memorial.
And, working in partnership with veterans Mike Coyle and Ray Pinkstone, the council is trying to find the names of all of Fylde’s fallen – and will ensure their names are added to the area’s other cenotaphs.
Councillor John Coombes, council leader and himself a former serviceman, said: “We should never forget the sacrifice of service-people in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Korea, Malaya, Iraq and Afghanistan and other theatres of conflict.
“I find it shocking and surprising that their names aren’t automatically added to the nation’s memorials. We all think of World War One and World War Two veterans, but there have been many conflicts since.
“We want to find out if we have any other war dead in the area - and we will ensure that memorials are updated.
“Fylde people are very respectful of these brave men and women and a great deal of effort has already been made to keep the area’s memorials in their original condition.”
Corporal Marlton-Thomas was killed in Afghanistan in November when trying to disarm an explosive device.
Sergeant Chadwick died early last year. He was on active service in Afghanistan but was at home when he developed a sickness and died.
Names will also be added to the Kirkham and Grade Two-Listed St Annes memorials if any war-dead are found to have been from the towns. All three memorials have been restored by Fylde Borough Council in recent years.
People in Fylde are also actively trying to raise money for a Spitfire memorial. The area raised £700,000 a year between 1939 and 1945 to support the fight against Nazism. A Spitfire was named after Lytham St Annes. It was shot down in battle.
When new names have been added – hopefully by the summer - it is planned to organise dedication ceremonies at the memorials.
If anyone has names to be added to the memorials, please contact:
Darren Bell, Head of Leisure Services, Fylde Borough Council
Darrenb@fylde.gov.uk 01253 658465
Ray Pinkstone, uncle of Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas
Pinky11@talktalk.net 01253 782855
John Rimmer, restoration specialist, Rimmer Restoration
Johnrimmer@btinternet.com 01253 794521
Mike Coyle, regional volunteer, War Memorials’ Trust
Mike.coyle@btinternet.com 01253 761778
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