'FIGHT on to relocate war memorial' (Times, October 5). what an unfortunate headline. The lads whose names appear on the memorial have all fought their last fight and, we pray, are now at peace. This must not be a battle but a tribute.
I am not a member of the Royal British Legion but am happy to count George Forbes, chairman, as well as Gerry Woodcock, among my personal friends. Neither am I a member of the Church of England.
It isn't for us to concern ourselves with the various religious persuasions of those who died. The missiles which killed them and the men behind those missiles, were not concerned either. My name might well have been amongst those of world war two on the memorial. But I am spared.
I do not reveal my name lest this sink into a battle of personalities.
What a worthy gesture if the Legion were to reconsider its former objection and set up a fund to pay for the resiting of the memorial in the parish churchyard. I feel sure the whole town would be behind it and I would be grateful and happy to set the fund off to a start with my anonymous donation of £1,000 as a mark of thanks to those who gave their lives for Tavistock in the two world wars.
'And some there be which have no memorial;
Who are perished as though they had never been.
Their bodies are buried in peace;
But their name liveth for evermore.'
ex-Battery Boy and DVA
Name and address supplied
THE controversy regarding the position of our war memorial has once again arisen.
Why cannot we let them rest in peace where they have rested for 80 years — not to be moved around like a piece of furniture for the sake of car spaces.
I have never known of any accident when reading the names and the highest respect is always shown at the annual service.
Its position is the last thought in people's minds. I fully agree with the Tavistock Royal British Legion.
Roy Minhinnick
Burma Star veteran
52 Bannawell Street, Tavistock