THE memorial which commemorates those that lost their lives in the Far East during the war could be moved from its Heath Road home.

Petersfield Town Council was expected to consider the future of the Far East memorial this week.

The memorial was erected following a campaign in the 1990s by the late Norman Nicholas, a Petersfield man and war veteran, to remember those that fell in eastern Asia.

But Ken Hick, a former mayor and town councillor, is among those that feel it would be more appropriate if the memorial was moved to the town cenotaph in the High Street.

"It seems inappropriate that the small service which is held every year in front of the town hall does not receive the recognition that the town's cenotaph is accorded," said Mr Hick.

He subsequently asked for the item to be included on the agenda of last night's (Thursday) finance and general purposes committee, which has responsibility for the memorial.

Also of concern is the 20-foot oak tree which was planted as a sapling when the memorial was erected, but which could eventually become too big, sited only feet away from the entrance to the town hall. It is believed that could be replaced with a more appropriate specimen tree.

Mr Hick added: "A number of people would like to explore the possibility of moving the memorial to be incorporated with the cenotaph at the east end of the High Street.

The memorial "commemorates those who served in the Far East, those who died and those were wounded and those who still suffer", said Mr Hick.

"It is an idea and no more than that. The costs involved in moving it would not be great and I think those people who served in the Far East who were sometimes called the forgotten army could also be described as the forgotten veterans.

"I am quite prepared if this doesn't find favour but I think it should be discussed because some people think it is a good idea," concluded Mr Hick.

Prayers were said at the small memorial and wreaths laid at a short service held on Remembrance Sunday (November 9), ahead of the main outdoor service in The Square and two-minute silence at the High Street memorial.

It is engraved with the immortal words: "When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today". It is also inscribed with the words "in memory of those who suffered or died in the war against Japan 1941-45".

Don Brooks, president of Petersfield branch of the Royal British Legion, said it was the first he had heard of the idea (to move the memorial) but said "it is obviously of interest to us. It would be a good idea".

And Wally Griffin, one of Petersfield's much-loved war heroes and regular Poppy Appeal collector who served in Dunkirk, Crete, North Africa and was also among those on the dangerous Arctic Convoys, said: "I would be behind the scheme to get it moved up to the main war memorial."

And, said Mr Giffin, who lives in Burgesmede House in Folly Lane, Petersfield: "I would like to see it on the actual memorial itself because people can't always get down to ground level. I hope everybody is in favour of the move."

n What do you think? Should the Far East memorial be moved to the cenotaph in the High Street or should it stay at its current site in Petersfield's Heath Road? Have your say by writing to the Petersfield Herald, 24 High Street, Petersfield GU32 3JL.