War Dead From Ely Area To Be Remember On A New Plaque On Market Square

WAR dead from Ely and its surrounding towns and villages could be commemorated in a new plaque on the Market Place. The Royal Naval Association is in talks with the city council and Ely mayor, Sheila Friend Smith, and deputy mayor, Richard Hobbs, to find

WAR dead from Ely and its surrounding towns and villages could be commemorated in a new plaque on the Market Place.

The Royal Naval Association is in talks with the city council and Ely mayor, Sheila Friend Smith, and deputy mayor, Richard Hobbs, to find a way of commemorating those who have died in the 45 conflicts since World War Two.

"We're in danger of becoming an anachronism," said retired Naval Commander Tony Mizen.

"There is so much that has happened since the world wars - there are fewer and fewer of us who played an active part in them - and young people, watch the news and see, regrettably, so many lives lost in conflicts around the globe."

"When we come to commemorate those lives in November, a timeless monument would give the day relevance to younger people."

The move was inspired by a recent parade at Swaffham in Norfolk, where Anglian branches of the forces associations took part in the ceremony to add a short inscription to their war memorial, and Princess Anne recently opened a commemorative plaque to more recent forces losses in Westminster.

For the Ely memorial, Commander Mizen has garnered the goodwill of the British Legion, The British Koreans Veterans Association and the RAF Association, as well as the Cambridgeshire Regiment, all of whom are due to meet with the mayor and her deputy on April 23.

"The exact wording is yet to be thrashed out - and I am sure we will all dip in our pockets to fund it," added Commander Mizen.

Ely city councillor Elaine Griffin Singh said the move had the city council's full support, but it was important that the wording and style of the memorial was agreed with councillors.