New Gornal war memorial installed
A war memorial honouring local First World War soldiers has been installed in a Black Country neighbourhood.
The memorial features a marble plaque and a metal soldier silhouette which has been installed in Kent Street, Upper Gornal.
It was the brainchild of community campaigners and councillors Keiran Casey and Adam Aston.
Councillor Casey said: "We started this campaign working with local residents and the Tenants and Residents Association as there isn't currently a public war memorial in Upper Gornal.
"Following on from the success with the memorial in Woodsetton, we set out to work with local residents to draw up a plan and see what funding was needed.
"We secured the funding for the stone and the memorial pad through the TRA and the Council Community Forum and working with local businesses in Upper Gornal like McDonalds who have kindly donated the 'Tommy' solider figure that will be installed next to the memorial stone."
The memorial is timely as it will also mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. A Union Jack flag is also
The solider figure forms part of the nationwide 'There But Not There' campaign, which aims to remember soldiers from the First World War by placing soldier sculptures around communities.
Councillor Adam Aston said: "We are extremely grateful to everyone that has helped us with this important community project and we are all looking forward to this being finished this week.
"We are working with St Peters Church and Upper Gornal Methodist Church to arrange a service on Remembrance Sunday which will take place at the new memorial, so we hope as many residents as possible can join us as we mark 100 years since the end of The First World War and pay tribute to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."
