The matter was raised on numerous occasions, the deciding factor being the wishes of relatives of those who gave their lives in conflict, which I fully supported.
I was opposed to moving it then despite my dislike of a memorial surrounded by the motor car and I have reservations now. The church was and still is in my humble opinion an untenable location. How does one parade in large numbers on the grass on a wet Tavistock November day, or are the proposers of such a move considering laying foundations, concreting the surround or at the very least laying a footpath to the memorial?
The church ground is consecrated, and still contains the remains of founding fathers of this town. Furthermore, it may also be argued that not all of those whose names appear in tribute were members of the congregation of St Eustachius.
Perhaps today, there is another more fitting solution, brought about more by accident than foresight and planning.
The war memorial is and always has been in most locations throughout Britain, at the very heart of the community. The redesigning of Bedford Square has provided those who care with an ideal open location. Sufficient room exists for what is each year the most significant parade in this town's diary, and a lasting tribute to those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The foundations are already laid and with a vacant open area, a parade ground has been established. It is the very heart of the town and divorced more so from the perpetual daily movement of the parking motor car and the occasional damage to the surround that occurs.
One may be forgive for wondering if the spirits of yesteryear would rise in accord to see their memorial outside their town hall and across the road from their parish church and in the very heart of their town.
Robin Fenner
Tavistock