Fallen soldier receives tribute after 68 years

Private Alfred Cooper, from Willenhall, who served with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, died in Crete, aged 20, on May 27, 1941, and his family say his name is already on the war memorial in Athens. It now adorns the Willenhall memorial, which stands between Stafford Street and Field Street in the town centre.

Pte Cooper's brother, Charles, aged 71, from Willenhall, finally managed to get his brother's name added to the memorial with the help of his friends Joseph and Valerie Davies, 66 and 71, also of Willenhall, and Walsall MP David Winnick.

Mr Cooper, who is one of Alfred's seven surviving siblings, said: "I don't know why it's taken so long for it to be put on.

"He was my brother and it's important that his service is now acknowledged."

MP David Winnick, for Walsall North, said: "I did write to the local authority saying the name should be on there and I am very pleased indeed that it is on now.

"The omission was unfortunate, and it wasn't deliberate obviously, but the matter has now been put right."

He added: "It is important first and foremost for the family, but also to the local community where the person lived, that no one should be excluded who fought in the war and died for our freedom."

Councillor Mike Bird, leader of the council, said: "When the absence of Mr Cooper's name was brought to our attention we were more than happy to arrange for it to be added to the war memorial in Willenhall remembering those who lost their lives fighting for their country."

The monument, built in 1964, was given a £59,000 facelift in 2007, complete with new lighting, fencing, gatesand a bench.

It is dedicated to the town's war victims from the Boer War onwards. It features brothers who died in the First World War including Arthur and James Bolderson and Harry and John Farrington.