A QUEST has been launched to have two men missed off a Teesdale war memorial added to a village roll of honour.
Gainford’s David Pullan has spent more than a decade researching the lost of men of his home village – travelling to France and Belgium with his wife, Sandra, to commemorate the 25 First World War fallen listed on its cenotaph.
Now Mr Pullan has asked for two more names to be added to the monument in St Mary’s churchyard after uncovering the pair’s fate in his research.
Gainford and Langton Parish Council heard how the two died after the stone memorial was engraved. Their remains were never found. Members of the council have looked at renovating the memorial but the costs of engraving the names proved a tricky hurdle at this month’s meeting. Chairwoman Cllr Lisa Johnstone said: “It would be really difficult to get those names put on now because the space is right at the bottom. It would be expensive to get it lifted out.”
Cllr Simon Platten said putting the names on “felt the right thing to do” .
However, quotes for a professional clean of the memorial came to £800 and councillors heard the cost of engraving the missing names would run into thousands of pounds.
Clerk Martin Clark aired the idea of a new stone in front of the existing memorial while Cllr Mark Charge suggested putting the two names on the back. This latter idea didn’t sit well with Mr Clark.
“There is something about it just not feeling appropriate,” he added.
A fresh memorial with space for extra names was also considered. Cllr Carole Bayles added: “Would it be better with a new plaque and extra space? – particularly if we end up with Russia and everything.”
Cllr Sarah Hannan added: “It’s something that would have long standing value in the village and it’s something people would be able to see and say that’s something the parish council has done.”
Mr Clark said there could be grant funding available but he would need all the information before a bid was put in. Members agreed to get the memorial cleaned, repaired, and pledged to look into adding another layer to the monument.
