Insight

War memorial restoration

Towards the end of 2008 Serenity Funeral Directors in Eastbourne were approached by a local community group, Friends of Hampden Park, and asked if they could help with the much-needed restoration of the First and Second World War memorials in the local park.

Funeral Service Manager, Richard Scott takes up the story.

“Both our funeral director, Steve Jones, and myself have a keen interest in World War One so we were very keen to help. Steve and I collect militaria from the period and travel to France and Belgium several times a year to visit the battlefields and cemeteries. We arranged for a complete restoration of the memorials and also organised a Service of Re-dedication.”

Steve, a member of the Territorial Army Royal Engineers, arranged for representatives from the Royal Sussex Regiment, the Royal British Legion and air, marine and army Cadets to attend the service with the Salvation Army Band providing music. The guest of honour was the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex and the service was also attended by the local MP, mayor and some of the relatives of the fallen named on the memorial.