Names of soldiers who lost their lives during the Second World War look set to be added to Salisbury’s war memorial.

Salisbury City Council gave its backing for the project to add additional plaques to the memorial in Guildhall Square, which was proposed by a member of the public, Chris Hewitt.

The meeting heard that the current memorial only lists names from the First World War and that the memorial to the Second World War dead was officially the City Hall with a memorial plaque located on a wall inside the lobby.

Mr Hewitt said: “The only indication that it is a memorial is a plaque that is about 3ft by 2ft high up on the wall in the lobby. Most people don’t notice it. There are no names, not even the total number of casualties.

“I’ve always felt this situation was unacceptable and did not offer equality with those who gave their lives in World War I.”

The current memorial outside the Guildhall, which is owned and managed by the city council, has six plaques on it.

This proposal would see three cast bronze plaques of the same design placed on the back of the memorial. Above the central plaque would be a small one with 1939 to 1945.

The names of 240 of those who served during the conflict from Salisbury and lost their lives would be commemorated on the plaques.

The most recent quote for the work was around £18,000, which would include the manufacturing and installation of the plaques.

The meeting heard it would take three months to do the work and install it so if the order was placed it could be done in time for Remembrance commemorations.

Mr Hewitt said £18,000 had already been raised for the project from people keen to see an “appropriate” memorial to those that died during the Second World War.

To get the community involved in the project Mr Hewitt plans to get in contact with primary schools in the area to do a project where they would research the people listed on the memorial.

Listed building consent would be needed and the process of getting this had been initiated, Mr Hewitt said.

Cllr Sven Hocking said it “sounds really good” and he was supportive of the project as was Cllr Brian Dalton who said it was a “great project”.

Cllrs Paul Sample and Jeremy Nettle also praised Mr Hewitt’s efforts in securing the funds for the project.

Mayor Cllr Tom Corbin Corbin said there was a “great ground swell of support for this” from councillors and thanked Mr Hewitt for his hard work and efforts over many years.

The council, in principle, to allow the installation of the new plaques and would work with Mr Hewitt and his associates to implement this project.

It also noted the potential costs to the council and agreed to support the project with a future report presented to the finance and governance committee for further consideration. These recommendations were unanimously agreed by councillors. 

 

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