Family’s pride as hero’s name will be read out at remembrance service (From Daily Echo)

Family’s pride as hero’s name will be read out at remembrance service

8:20am Sunday 8th November 2009 in

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FOR 66 years his name has been missing from the war memorial in the town he called home.

But tomorrow, Remembrance Sunday, the name of Private Richard John Smith will be read out alongside all the other fallen heroes from Hedge End, in what will be an emotional moment for his son and daughter.

After years of questioning why their dad’s name was missing from the memorial, John Smith and sister Pam Welsh campaigned to get it added to honour their dad’s memory.

Backed by Hedge End Town Council, they went to the War Graves Commission, who ruled that Pte Smith, of the Pioneer Corps fighting in North Africa, was entitled to the honour, having died of war wounds on October 27, 1943, fighting in Bone, Algeria.

Tragically, Pte Smith was due to return home within days of falling ill with malaria, but before he could leave he was called up to fight one last time.

When he died, it is believed his name was left off the war memorial in an oversight.

John, 66, of Granada Road, said: “I was two years old when he died so I never knew him, but we feel strongly that he deserves to have his name up there along with everybody else’s.

“He was a true old Hedge Ender and I’m sure he will be looking down on us on Sunday and feel proud to know that he has finally been recognised for his sacrifice.”

Up to 700 people are expected to take part in the Hedge End remembrance service on Sunday, which will start at 10.30am with a slow march from the 2000 Centre to the memorial on the corner of Church Lane, where the service will take place.