TEIGNMOUTH’S war memorial is set for a major refurbishment.
Teignmouth Town Council, which is responsible for the seafront memorial, has brought in military grave restoration expert Steve Davies to undertake the project.
War veteran Steve, who served in the British Army in the Royal Green Jackets, is renowned for his work restoring long-forgotten war graves and war memorials.
A qualified stonemason, Steve, now in his 60s, is dedicated to what he calls his ‘personal passion’ which started as a ‘one man band’ and has restored graves as far afield as Sierra Leone and Iraq.
Working on a not-for-profit basis, Steve crowdfunds for cleaning equipment and materials costs for individual neglected graves.
Other restoration projects such as standalone war memorials are often funded by a mixture of regimental associations, charities and local authorities including parish councils, and with help from local volunteers.
The Teignmouth project is due to start on Saturday April 12 and will take three days. The town council have not given a cost for the project but the average war grave costs about £500 to restore.
The Teignmouth War Memorial, prominently situated on the Upper Den Carriageway, was initially unveiled on January 22, 1921.
This Grade II listed obelisk serves as a memorial of the sacrifices made during the First World War, Second World War, First Cyprus Emergency, and various 20th-century conflicts.
A spokesman for the Teignmouth Town Council said: ‘The war memorial serves as a profound and essential tribute to all the lives sacrificed and the courage displayed by everyone involved.
‘We are excited to enlist the services of Steve Davies to clean the war memorial, thereby honouring the fallen soldiers who gave their lives.
‘This refurbishment project underscores Teignmouth Town Council's commitment to preserving the memory of those who bravely served their country.
‘The collaboration with Steve Davies ensures that the war memorial will continue to stand as a beacon of remembrance and respect for generations to come.’