THEY will stand as a lasting memorial to the bravery and sacrifice made by all Southampton’s war dead.

The Daily Echo today backs a new campaign to build two walls of remembrance to make sure they are not forgotten.

Built next to the city’s Cenotaph in Watts Park, the walls will be engraved with the names of the 2,000 First World War heroes listed on the weather beaten monument, which are in danger of fading.

Those who were killed in the Second World War – around 500 – and all subsequent conflicts will also be inscribed.

A major fundraising appeal is to be launched today spearheaded by the Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce to help pay for the remembrance walls.

Director general and Royal Navy veteran Jimmy Chestnutt will ask companies to collect individual £1 donations from their employees. Public collection points will also be set up.

The council has already pledged around £50,000 to build the walls leaving at least £70,000 to be raised.

Deputy council leader Royston Smith, a former Royal Air Force engineer, said the walls would provide a “fitting and tasteful tribute.”

“Southampton residents are immensely proud of the part the city played in helping to secure the country’s future and I really hope that we can make these plans a reality,”

he said.

Cabinet member for leisure and heritage, Councillor John Hannides proposed the idea after it became clear the council could not afford the £300,000 bill to fully restore the Cenotaph – although it would continue to maintain it.

He said the 1.2x23m walls would create an “enhanced”

place of remembrance with the Cenotaph as a focal point. They will be made of matching Portland Stone and finished with an anti-graffiti coating.

The Royal British Legion’s Southampton branch secretary Archie Parsons said: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to put all those names on the memorial walls where they can be easily seen.”

Detailed designs will be drawn up for public consultation.

How to help

THE Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce is asking its members to take part in fundraising with their own employees and to set up collection points for the public.

Other businesses are also welcome to sign up to the scheme by emailing the chamber:
l.hall@soton-chamber.co.uk.

A full list of public collection points across the city will be announced in the Daily Echo in the coming days.

Members of the public wishing to make cash donations in the meantime can drop into the chamber offices at 53 Bugle Street, Southampton.