Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 15 May 2008

WORKINGTON’S new war memorial has been officially unveiled.

The roll of honour consists of 882 names that are cut into five brass plaques and seated on a frame oak board.

The original memorial, that will remain in place, is a 30ft granite obelisk in Vulcan Park, which was unveiled in 1928.

However, this memorial carries no names and the absence of them inspired a campaign by World War Two veteran Ben Evans, 87, of Shelley Court, Salterbeck, to press for a new memorial.

The new memorial, at St Michael’s Church, was unveiled at a ceremony on Sunday.

Mr Evans said: “It is fantastic now that this new memorial has been unveiled. “Although it has taken a long time it is definitely worth it.

“It is important to remember these people in this way otherwise it just would not be worthwhile.”

The new memorial will carry the names of the 880 men and two women from Workington who have died since 1914 on active service.

The plaques include 644 names from World War One and 236 from World War Two. There is also one from the Korean War and the name of Kingsman Danny Wilson, of Wastwater Avenue, who was killed in Iraq last year.

His name is last on the plaque but there is room for 35 more.

Workington mayor Nik Hardy said: “It is important we remember the fallen in this way.

“It is sad to see the sheer number of names on the memorial, to think that so many people died just from a small town like Workington.

“It really pays tribute to those who have answered the call to serve their country and the courage they have shown in doing so.”

Town clerk Peter Hayes was responsible for collecting and verifying all the names.