King’s Lynn re-dedicates its memorial to the fallen

Buntings and Eagletons, Howards and Pattersons, Coopers and Franklins.

They fell in the fields of France and Flanders, they died from Jutland to the Dardanelles, still honoured to this day in their home town.

Yesterday, the memorial where the names of West Norfolk's First and Second World War dead are carved with pride was re-dedicated in a special ceremony, to remember those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts.

The imposing stone monument, in King's Lynn's Tower Gardens, now bears a fresh inscription on its western side, which states: 'In memory of the fallen from 1945 to the present day.'

Veterans marched from the British Legion, in Tower Street, to join the crowd which had gathered at the memorial for a service led by the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Rev James Langstaff.

'Memorials such as the one we are gathered around today are to be found in almost every corner of the world,' the Bishop said.

'It tells the story of people from this town, of families from this town who have found themselves caught up in war.

'Despite the sacrifices they made, the story did not end in 1945.'

West Norfolk Mayor Zipha Christopher laid a poppy wreath on the steps at the base of the inscription, before miniature wooden crosses were planted close to the memorial in a symbolic garden of remembrance by those who had lost loved ones, friends or comrades.

'I, like so many people around the country, believe it is important that we honour the memory of all who gave their lives in the service of their country,' said Mrs Christopher.

'This new inscription will ensure that those who have been killed in active service since the Second World War will be remembered.'

As a reminder of more recent conflicts, the service was halted while an RAF Tornado jet thundered overhead.

Aircraft from RAF Marham are providing air support to allied ground troops in Afghanistan, where hundreds have died fighting the Taliban - though both the jets and the base face an uncertain future with major defence cuts looming.

War widows, veterans, servicemen and women and cadets all took part in yesterday's parade.

There were standards from the Royal British Legion, Royal Naval Association, Royal Air Forces Association, and the Royal Norfolk and Royal Anglian Association.

King's Lynn's war memorial lists 569 names from the First World War, and 19 from the 1939-45 conflict, with a separate memorial for the 1941-45 Burma Campaign.