A NEW war memorial dedicated to soldiers from the city who died in conflicts after the Second World War could be on its way – if it gets the backing of residents.

The man behind the idea, Father Ian Pearson from the Church of St George in Barbourne, said he was not sure how interested people were in such a project, but thought it would be a fitting tribute to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

But it is all the more poignant to him after one of his parishoners, Private Jason Williams, was killed in action in Afghanistan in August.

A bench dedicated to the 23-year-old 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) soldier has since been installed in Gheluvelt Park, close to his home in Sunnyside Road, but there is currently no single memorial for post-Second World War casualties.

“We would be very happy to house the memorial,” said Father Pearson.

“We have no idea what it would look like or anything like that but we feel we have to have names on it, where they died and when.

“I think we need to remember and that’s what remembrance is all about – remembering what they did, who they gave their lives for and how we can make things better. It is there to challenge us. They died to make things better for us but what have we done with it?”

Bob Prophet, secretary of the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), said: “I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t know where we’d have it. Gheluvelt Park may be an idea, as it is a place of peace and quiet.”

Jeff King, county chairman of the Royal British Legion, also welcomed the plan.

He said: “I would certainly love to see one, and I see absolutely no reason why it should not go ahead, as long as it is deserving of those people who died.”

Father Pearson said he had not got in touch with Worcester City Council over the idea yet – which he hopes could be financed through donations and fund-raising – because he wanted to see whether there was enough public support.

Council leader Simon Geraghty said to your Worcester News: “No doubt the Royal British Legion and armed services would be involved and there must be established protocol as to how the names from previous conflicts have been added to memorials. It would need more detailed conversations and research.”