Veterans win battle to halt new use for Boer memorial

Hull Council hoped to install two bronze plaques on the city’s Boer War memorial this Armstice Day to commemorate servicemen and women from the city who have died for their country since 1945. The sculpture of two soldiers – one trying to rescue his fallen comrade – has been adopted by people laying tributes to soldiers who have died in Afghanistan, including Pte Gregg Stone, from Atwick, near Hornsea. But the Royal British Legion and the Council of Ex-Service Associations objected.

Pat Arksey, the Poppy Appeal organiser and secretary of the Hull branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “All the associations were against it because it was different war. You still have to remember the Boer War as a separate entity, it’s like using somebody’s grave.”

The council has backed down to avoid a publicity backlash. A report states: “It would be reputationally undesirable not to try to do something more in accordance with the veteran’ wishes at this stage.”

The civic committee agreed to the change at a meeting on Friday. Instead the plaques will be installed on either side of the pedastals which support the urns in front of the Cenotaph. A date has not been set for a ceremony as the plaques will still need planning permission.

The Royal British Legion were also against the rededication on Remembrance Sunday. But former Lord Mayor Colin Inglis said that would mean “foregoing an audience of thousands”.

Officers have been asked to go back and talk to the Royal British Legion and the Council of Ex-Service Associations again. Coun Inglis said he wanted reassurance so it was not a “poky affair that one or two people turn up to”.

He added: “I think it would be very sad having gone through all this – it clearly has a great deal of significance to a great deal of people.”

The £2,000 cost has been paid for from a pot of cash funded by developers.

The Boer Wars were fought during 1880-1881 and 1899-1902 by the British Empire against two independent Boer republics, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic.