Row set aside as respects paid to war dead

The event, organised by John Nicholls of the Commonwealth War Graves Committee, was also attended by Councillor Damian Corfield, himself a veteran.

The Friends of All Saints' Graveyard had been tending to graves at the cemetery in Gospel End Street, Sedgley, since 2019. But chairman Paul Rhodes, who served for seven years in the Royal Navy, said the group was instructed to stop its work in September after a visit from a council official.

The group had previously been praised for its work by Dudley Council.

But the dispute was set aside during yesterday's ceremony at the site, which was attended by about 20 people. Volunteer Bob Freeman thanked Mr Nicholls for his efforts in organising the commemoration.

Chairman of the Friends group, Paul Rhodes, who served in the Royal Navy from 1983-90, said the volunteers were told to stop work on September 28 when a council official visited the cemetery.

"We were told to stop working straight away," said Mr Rhodes, 5.