Village gets first remembrance memorial with special secret hidden inside
Burston's new war memorial has a hidden secret hidden inside. Picture: Marc Betts - Credit: Archant
A village has its first war memorial, with a secret inside, more than 100 years after the First World War ended.
Burston's new war memorial has a hidden secret hidden inside. Picture: Marc Betts - Credit: Archant
Burston was able to erect its monument the day before Remembrance Sunday, after six weeks of work from the council and local businesses.
Nigel Frankland, 73, Chair of Burston Parish Council, said: "The only memorial that existed in Burston was a paper roll of honour in the church which was hand-written just after the war before being replaced with a printed one.
"When we had a parish questionnaire about 18 months ago one of the questions was 'do you think the village should have a war memorial?' And the answer was a warming yes."
A working party was created to begin the process of installing the memorial but the council did not have enough funds.
Burston's new war memorial has a hidden secret hidden inside. Picture: Marc Betts - Credit: Archant
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After a bid to South Norfolk Council a grant of £1,000 was given to Burston about six weeks ago.
The retired patent attorney added: "Within those six weeks we designed the stone and what went on the stone.
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"It isn't just a list of names but it has their rank, military number, regiment, address and where they're commemorated by the war commission."
As well as this added information a steel box has been installed in the memorial, which will house a book giving more information about those who died, including the history of the battle they died in and where they lived in the village.
Burston's new war memorial has a hidden secret hidden inside. Picture: Marc Betts - Credit: Archant
Not just those who died are remembered as the book also contains information about the 30 people who went to war and came back.
"The book in the cupboard will hopefully get more thick as the information comes together," Mr Frankland added.
"It's been a great team effort and we were able to pull it all together just in time. It's gone from 'would it be a good idea?' to getting the money, then ready to roll."
Because of the South Norfolk Council grant the parish was also able to replace the village's flag pole.
"It has been very satisfying and it's a much more fitting tribute to those who died," he added.
