Names of all Southampton's fallen will be included on two great walls alongside Cenotaph (From Daily Echo)

Names of all Southampton's fallen will be included on two great walls alongside Cenotaph

9:57am Friday 12th June 2009 in

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THE names of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country will be remembered on Southampton’s walls of remembrance.

Along with those men and women from the city who have died in the world wars, the walls will also eventually bear the names of service personnel who have given their lives in conflicts right up to the present day.

The Daily Echo is backing a campaign to raise enough money to erect the walls of remembrance as a memorial next to the Cenotaph, which currently bears the 2,000 names of those who died in the First World War.

Organised by the Royal British Legion and the Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce we are calling on every city resident to donate £1 to fund the fitting tribute.

Among those backing the campaign is Barry McMaster who served with the armed forces in Northern Ireland and in the Falklands.

He said: “I believe it is something that should have been done a long time ago. But it is excellent that something is being organised now.”

Mr McMaster, 64, was a warrant officer in the Royal Army Pay Corps and gave 30 years service to the army.

Mr McMaster who is now the chairman of the Royal British Legion Southampton branch and vice-chairman of the club, said: “It is very important particularly to the families of those who have given their lives to see that their sacrifices that have been made are recognised .

Not only for the world wars but including all those in conf l i c t s s i n c e , right to Ireland and Iraq.”

Recognising the bravery of the armed forces is a subject close to Mr McMaster’s heart as his son is also a soldier, about to leave for a tour of duty of Afghanistan.

He said he was confident that the people of Southampton would respond to the appeal.

“The armed forces are very much in the mind of the public and lots of people have supported the Help the Heroes campaign.

“One pound is nothing really and I am sure Southampton residents will give what they can to this appeal.”

How to donate

Companies and organisations can make a donation through Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce. Collection points for cash donations will be set up across the city over the next few days. Details will be published by the Daily Echo.